Circle has minted 250 million USDC on the Solana network. This isn't news about price or market cap — it's news about making stablecoin transfers cheaper and faster. If you pay for foreign services or receive money from abroad, you now have another working route.

What exactly happened

Circle conducted a large one-time mint of USDC on the Solana blockchain — 250 million tokens. This increases the network's liquidity: more stablecoins are available for transfers, reducing the risk that a large transaction faces a shortage on an exchange or swap.

Solana is known for low fees and high transaction throughput. For users, this means transferring USDC on Solana can cost cents and take seconds, unlike more expensive networks.

Comparison of networks for USDT and USDC transfers

Stablecoins live on different blockchains. The choice of network affects fees, speed, and availability on exchanges and wallets.

  • TRC-20 (Tron) — the most popular network for USDT. Fee is usually 1–2 USDT per transfer, credited quickly. Accepted almost everywhere: exchanges, swap services, P2P. Downside: periodic risks of address freezing.
  • BEP-20 (BNB Chain) — fee is lower than TRC-20, often less than a dollar. Works well for transfers between wallets and to exchanges. Requires BNB for gas.
  • TON — minimal fees, fast transfers. Convenient for small amounts and payments within the Telegram ecosystem. But not all exchanges and services support receiving USDT on TON.
  • Solana — fees are cents, speed is high. USDC is particularly active here, and after Circle's mint, liquidity has increased. Suitable for fast USDC transfers, but USDT on Solana is less common.

How to buy and transfer USDT or USDC

Step-by-step scenario for paying for a foreign service:

  1. Buy the stablecoin on an exchange or via a P2P service. Choose the network that matches the recipient's network — this is critical. If you send USDT on BEP-20 to a TRC-20 address, the funds will be lost.
  2. Check the withdrawal fee. On an exchange, it may be fixed (e.g., 1 USDT for TRC-20) or depend on network load.
  3. Transfer to your wallet or directly to the address of the service that accepts crypto. Make sure you have a little native token of the network for gas if transferring from a non-custodial wallet (BNB for BEP-20, TRX for TRC-20, SOL for Solana).
  4. Save the transaction hash. If the payment doesn't arrive, this is the only proof of transfer.

Freezing risks and how to reduce them

The main practical risk of USDT is address freezing by the issuer. If your wallet or counterparty's address is on a sanctions list or linked to suspicious activity, tokens may be blocked.

  • Don't use addresses obtained from strangers or dubious P2P platforms.
  • Check the address history before a large transfer via a blockchain explorer.
  • For regular payments, it's better to hold USDC: it has a reputation as a more predictable stablecoin regarding freezes.
  • Split large sums into several transfers so you don't lose everything at once.

What this means in practice

The growth of USDC liquidity on Solana signals that the network is becoming more convenient for fast and cheap transfers. If you pay for foreign services, subscriptions, or receive payment in stablecoins, you have an alternative to TRC-20 with lower fees. But before transferring, always check whether the recipient supports the chosen network.

FAQ

Can I pay with a virtual card topped up via USDT on Solana?

Yes, if the service supports receiving USDC on Solana. Check with the service for supported networks and fees.

Which is cheaper for transfers: TRC-20 or Solana?

Solana is usually cheaper, but not all exchanges and swap services support USDC withdrawal on that network. Compare fees on your specific platform.

How to avoid USDT freezing?

Use verified addresses, don't accept funds from unknown sources, and consider USDC for regular operations.

Not investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are subject to volatility and risks, including loss of funds.

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Sources

This material is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Data and service terms may change, so check primary sources before making a payment or investment decision. Mentions of third-party brands and services do not imply official partnership, support, or endorsement by VirtCardPay.
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