Cryptocurrency firm Circle has unveiled a stablecoin designed to make it easy to convert US dollars into tokens that can then be moved over public blockchains.
First announced in May, the USD Coin (USDC) is now available for use on Circle's Poloniex exchange, with more than 20 other cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets also supporting the stablecoin.
This means that individuals and institutions can enrol to deposit US dollars from bank accounts, convert those dollars into tokens usable everywhere the internet reaches (subject to the token’s compliance controls), and redeem the tokens and cash out to bank accounts.
USDC is the first fiat token released by the Centre open source consortium, with Circle the first of several members set to launch USDC issuance.
Explaining the benefit of the stablecoin, Circle says that "price-stable tokens are foundational requirements for enabling powerful new global financial contracts, products, and services on the internet".
Adds the firm in a blog: "A safe, transparent and trustworthy layer for fiat to operate over open blockchains and within smart contracts is a necessary precondition to the broader and more revolutionary potential of a crypto-powered global economy. USDC aims to meet this need."