Native Token
A token issued directly on a blockchain by its official issuer, as opposed to a bridged or wrapped version.
"Native USDC" means USDC that was minted directly on that blockchain by Circle, not bridged from another chain. This distinction matters for security and usability.
Native USDC on Base, for example, is issued directly by Circle on Base. It's fully backed by the same reserves as USDC on any other chain. Bridged USDC, on the other hand, was originally minted on one chain (say Ethereum) and moved to another via a third-party bridge. Bridged versions carry additional risk because they depend on the bridge's security.
Circle has been expanding native USDC to more chains over time, reducing the need for bridged versions. When available, always prefer native USDC.
Related Terms
Wrapped Token
A token on one blockchain that represents an asset from another blockchain, created through a bridge.
Bridging
Moving cryptocurrency from one blockchain to another. For example, moving USDC from Ethereum to Base.
Token
A digital asset created on an existing blockchain. USDC is a token that runs on multiple blockchains.
CCTP (Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol)
A protocol that enables native USDC transfers between blockchains by burning tokens on one chain and minting them on another.
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This definition is provided for educational purposes. USDC.org is an independent resource and is not affiliated with Circle Internet Financial.