How to Get USDC on Polygon

Stablecoins like USDC are transforming blockchain payments by making transactions fast, stable, and reliable. As a fully-backed and regulated¹ stablecoin, USDC is widely used across multiple blockchains for a variety of purposes including transfers, payments, trading, and more.

Polygon is a popular Layer-2 blockchain that aims to increase transaction throughput and affordability on the underlying Ethereum blockchain. Polygon provides cost-effective², high-speed transactions, making it a suitable network for USDC users. Whether you're sending payments, trading, or using decentralized applications (dApps), USDC on Polygon allows you to move funds quickly without the relatively high fees commonly found on Ethereum’s main network.

In this guide, we’ll explore why Polygon is a good choice for USDC, how to acquire USDC on Polygon, and the different ways to use it efficiently.

What is USDC?

As a quick reminder, USDC is a stablecoin — a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value — that’s backed 100% by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets. USDC leverages the power of the internet and blockchain technology to be transferable almost anywhere with near-instant settlement and near-zero fees. USDC is readily available to those with an internet connection and a digital wallet in more than 180 countries around the world.

Because USDC operates on blockchain networks, transactions are processed rapidly and efficiently without the need for traditional banking intermediaries. Blockchains function continuously, 24/7, eliminating delays associated with bank operating hours, holidays, or cross-border settlements. This constant availability allows for near-instant transfer of funds at any time, reducing both the time and cost typically involved in moving money globally.

What is Polygon?

Polygon is a scaling solution designed to improve Ethereum’s efficiency by making transactions faster and more affordable while still benefiting from Ethereum’s underlying security framework. Ethereum, a leading blockchain for dApps, often faces congestion that leads to slow transactions and high gas fees (i.e., transaction costs required to process operations on the blockchain). Polygon helps address these issues using a combination of proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus and Layer-2 scaling technologies.

Proof of stake (PoS) is a consensus mechanism where validators (i.e., network participants who confirm transactions) are chosen based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold and "stake" in the network. This method is more energy-efficient than proof of work (PoW), which requires intensive computational power, as seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum’s original design.

Polygon serves as a sidechain to Ethereum, meaning it operates as a separate blockchain that processes transactions independently but remains linked to Ethereum for final settlement and security. Polygon’s sidechain can process transactions in parallel with Ethereum. This means users can send assets, interact with dApps, and perform other blockchain operations without waiting for Ethereum’s often congested network to process them. Periodically, Polygon transactions are batched and submitted to Ethereum’s mainnet. This means that, although transactions are initially executed on Polygon, the network periodically "checks in" with Ethereum by posting a summary of its transaction data to the Ethereum blockchain. This serves as an added security measure, ensuring Polygon’s transaction history is anchored to Ethereum’s network.

With a growing ecosystem that includes dApps for decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, NFTs, and more, Polygon offers an efficient, scalable alternative to using Ethereum directly.

What is Polygon-native USDC?

USDC on Polygon is issued according to the ERC-20 tokenization standard — the same standard used on Ethereum and most other Ethereum-compatible blockchains. This means Polygon-native USDC works seamlessly with DeFi platforms, wallets, and smart contracts that support Ethereum’s ERC-20 token standard. The ERC-20 token standard is a set of rules that defines how tokens function on the Ethereum blockchain, promoting compatibility with various wallets, exchanges, and dApps. It acts as a universal framework that allows tokens to interact seamlessly within the Ethereum ecosystem without requiring special adjustments.

Many well-known digital assets use the ERC-20 standard, making it one of the most widely adopted token formats in the blockchain space. Additionally, because Ethereum-based scaling solutions also support ERC-20 tokens, assets like USDC can move efficiently between different networks while maintaining their functionality.

Since Polygon is built to scale Ethereum, it naturally adopts the ERC-20 standard, ensuring that USDC and other tokens function smoothly across the network. Unlike bridged versions of USDC, which may entail extra steps and fees to interoperate, Polygon-native USDC is natively issued on the Polygon network, streamlining the process of acquiring and using USDC on Polygon.

For developers, this is a major advantage — since most Ethereum dApps already support ERC-20 tokens, integrating USDC on Polygon requires no additional configuration. For end users, this means you can use USDC across a wide variety of Polygon-based dApps while reducing extra steps and learning curves.

Circle launched native USDC on Polygon in 2023. As of March 2025, there’s over $400 million dollars of native USDC in circulation on Polygon.

The advantages of using USDC on Polygon

USDC on Polygon combines Ethereum’s security with fast and affordable transactions, making it a good choice for users looking to move stablecoins efficiently. Here’s why:

• High-speed transactions: Polygon processes USDC transfers quickly, so you don’t have to wait long for confirmations.
• Low gas fees: Sending USDC on Polygon costs far less than on Ethereum, making it a cost-effective option for small or frequent transactions.
• Seamless Ethereum integration: Because Polygon is EVM-compatible, USDC works effortlessly across Polygon-based DeFi dApps, wallets, and platforms that were originally designed for Ethereum.

With these benefits, USDC on Polygon is a suitable option for payments, trading, DeFi applications, and more — all while keeping transaction costs low.

Understanding crypto exchanges and crypto wallets

Before diving into the step-by-step process of acquiring USDC on Polygon, it’s important to understand the platforms and tools you’ll use: crypto exchanges and wallets.

Crypto exchanges are platforms where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. They act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers and often allow fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transactions, making it possible for users to on- and off-ramp to and from digital assets like USDC. There are two main types of crypto exchanges:

• Centralized exchanges (CEXs): These platforms are managed by companies and often include user-friendly interfaces and robust customer support. However, assets purchased on a CEX are stored in exchange-based crypto wallets that are custodial, meaning users must trust the CEX to custody and secure their assets. Users don’t have full control over their assets unless they withdraw them to a non-custodial wallet.
• Decentralized exchanges (DEXs): These are decentralized, blockchain-based platforms where trades are conducted without a central authority. Instead users make peer-to-peer trades with the assistance of smart contracts. Connecting to a DEX requires connecting a compatible non-custodial crypto wallet. Non-custodial wallets offer greater control over your assets, but more responsibility for securing them. Likewise, DEXs offer greater control over the trading experience, but can be more complex to use.

Crypto wallets are tools for securely storing and managing your digital assets. Crypto wallets are divided into two main categories:

• Custodial wallets: Often provided by CEXs, these wallets are convenient but rely on the exchange to manage your assets’ associated private keys.
• Non-custodial wallets: These give users full control over their funds and private keys (or recovery phrases), but require careful management to avoid loss.

By understanding the differences between exchanges and wallets, you can make informed decisions about where to buy, store, and manage your USDC, and find the balance of convenience and security that’s right for you.

Step-by-step guide to get USDC on Polygon

Polygon’s Ethereum-compatible infrastructure makes it easy to acquire USDC, whether you prefer centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, or bridging USDC to Polygon yourself where supported. Below, we’ll break down each method step by step.

1. Use a centralized crypto exchange (CEX) to buy USDC on Polygon

Many major centralized exchanges (CEXs) — including Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Kraken — support native USDC on Polygon. This means when you buy USDC from these platforms, you can choose to purchase the version that’s native to Polygon — no extra steps required. To purchase Polygon-native USDC on a CEX, follow these steps:

1. Open an account: Sign up for a CEX that supports USDC on Polygon and complete any required identity verification processes, like Know Your Customer (KYC).
2. Deposit funds: Add fiat currency (e.g., US dollars, Euros, etc.) via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or another supported payment method. Familiarize yourself with the exchange’s fee structure before proceeding.
3. Purchase USDC: Choose USDC as the asset you’d like to purchase and select Polygon as the withdrawal network before completing your transaction.

Once you have your USDC on Polygon, you can keep it on the exchange or withdraw it to a Polygon-compatible self-custodial wallet (like MetaMask and Trust Wallet) to interact with Polygon-based dApps and DeFi platforms.

2. Use a decentralized crypto exchange (DEX) to swap for USDC on Polygon

If you hold POL (Polygon’s native asset used for network transaction fees — formerly known as MATIC), ETH, or other common assets on the Polygon network, you can easily trade them for Polygon-based USDC on DEXs like Balancer, QuickSwap, or Uniswap. To trade for Polygon-native USDC using a Polygon DEX, follow these steps:

1. Connect to a DEX: Navigate to a Polygon-compatible DEX and connect to it with your wallet. Use a Polygon-compatible wallet (e.g., MetaMask or Trust Wallet) and make sure you’re on the official website to avoid phishing scams.
2. Select a trading pair: Choose the POL/USDC trading pair or another available option based on availability.
3. Review and confirm the trade: Enter the amount of USDC you want, check the transaction details, and approve the swap.

As a general rule, you should always keep a small amount of the network’s native asset in your wallet to cover gas fees for transactions. In this case, make sure you have enough POL in your wallet to cover fees for transactions on Polygon.

3. Use the built-in swap function in a self-custody wallet like MetaMask or Trust Wallet

Some self-custodial wallets that support Polygon — like MetaMask and Trust Wallet — offer a built-in swap function, allowing you to trade assets without even leaving the wallet app. Here’s how to swap for USDC using a wallet’s built-in swap feature:

1. Open your wallet’s swap tool: Navigate to the swap function within MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or another Polygon-compatible wallet with built-in trading functionality.
2. Select the assets you want to trade: Choose POL (or another supported asset) as the asset you’re swapping and USDC on Polygon as the asset you want to receive.
3. Review and confirm the transaction: Double-check the transaction details, adjust slippage tolerance if needed, and approve the swap.

If your trade fails, make sure you have enough POL to cover any transaction fees associated with the trade. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to investigate some advanced settings like adjusting the slippage tolerance (this is typically only necessary during times of network congestion). If problems persist, check Polygonscan to track your transaction status or to investigate potential network problems, outages, or congestion.

4. Use a Polygon USDC bridge

We’ve spoken a bit about cross-chain swaps, and how some wallets and DEXs support the function of transferring an asset between two different blockchains. But in the case of USDC, there are two distinct ways to transfer USDC to another blockchain network, and the key distinction revolves around native vs bridged USDC.

As a reminder, native USDC originates directly from Circle on a particular blockchain, and is fully supported by the originating blockchain. Bridged USDC, however, is created when USDC is locked in a smart contract on one blockchain (i.e., the origin blockchain) and a “synthetic” or “bridged” form of USDC is minted (or created) on another supported blockchain (i.e., the destination blockchain) by a third-party bridge dApp. Crucially, bridged USDC is not issued by Circle, and only native USDC, issued through regulated affiliates of Circle, is fully reserved and redeemable 1:1. Many blockchains support both native and bridged USDC — so you should always be aware of which version you’re interacting with. If you’re not sure which version of USDC you’re dealing with, compare the token’s contract address on a blockchain explorer (e.g., Etherscan or Polygonscan) with the official list provided by Circle.

Most USDC obtained from centralized exchanges is native. USDC transferred between blockchains with a bridge may be native or bridged, depending on whether the bridge is powered by Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). Developed by Circle as a permissionless tool for transferring USDC between supported blockchains, CCTP is a powerful tool that burns (or destroys) USDC on one chain, and mints native USDC on another supported destination chain without having to keep any USDC “locked” in a smart contract. Transferring USDC natively is a better alternative to using a traditional bridge, whose security protocols may not be as robust as Circle’s, the issuer of USDC.

CCTP is integrated into wallets like MetaMask, DEXs like OKX (not to be confused with the centralized exchange, OKX), and cross-chain bridges like Across, Allbridge, and Wormhole — just to name a few. Learn more about CCTP and see a complete list of dApp integrations here. Then use CCTP-powered platforms to seamlessly bridge native USDC between supported blockchains.

Important considerations about USDC on Polygon

Before transferring USDC on Polygon, it’s essential to be aware of a few key factors to make your experience smooth. First, check that your wallet and exchange support Polygon-native USDC, as some platforms may not be compatible. Using an incompatible platform could result in delays, unexpected costs, or even lost funds. This is a critically important step, and users should always be diligent to ensure compatibility before transacting. Failure to do so can result in the loss of funds.

Also keep in mind that although Polygon offers significantly lower transaction fees compared to Ethereum, you’ll still need a small amount of POL in your wallet to cover gas fees. Without POL, you won’t be able to complete transactions on the network. Finally, if you’re transferring a large amount of USDC for the first time, it’s best to start with a small test transaction. This precaution helps verify that the receiving address and network settings are correct, reducing the risk of sending funds to an incompatible wallet or making an irreversible mistake. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can avoid common pitfalls and start using USDC on Polygon today.

How to use USDC on Polygon

USDC on Polygon combines the stability of a dollar-backed stablecoin with Polygon’s fast and low-cost transactions. You can USDC on Polygon for payments, affordable transfers, exploring DeFi dApps, and so much more. Also keep in mind that USDC is natively issued on over 15 blockchain networks. To find wallets, exchanges, and dApps that support USDC on Polygon, visit our USDC Ecosystem Catalog for a comprehensive breakdown of available platforms and services.