# USDC
**Domain:** Stablecoins / Settlement
**Doc Type:** Developed Wiki Node
**Maturity:** Developed
**Collection:** [[collections/Gamification|Gamification Collection]]
## Definition
**USDC** is a fiat-referenced digital token issued by Circle and designed to track the value of the U.S. dollar. It is used as a settlement and prize-purse asset in some blockchain security competitions and bug-bounty programs.
## Significance
In tournament architecture, USDC makes the purse globally addressable and digitally transferable while reducing the unit-of-account volatility of many cryptoassets. It does not eliminate issuer, reserve, custody, contract, sanctions, or jurisdictional risk.
## Sources
- [[articles/gamification/Lex Sportiva and Winning Without Bloodshed|Lex Sportiva and Winning Without Bloodshed]]
- [Circle USDC](https://www.circle.com/usdc)
## Routes
[[wiki/Stablecoin|Stablecoin]] · [[wiki/Programmable Tournament Treasury|Programmable Tournament Treasury]] · [[wiki/Code4rena|Code4rena]] · [[wiki/Programmable Payout|Programmable Payout]]