The European Banking Authority (EBA) has set November 12 as the date when supervision of the European issuer of USDC will come under its control. This doesn't mean USDC will disappear from wallets — but the rules for stablecoins in the EU are changing, and this affects anyone paying for foreign services with crypto.

What exactly changed

The EBA designated November 12 as the handover date for supervising the EU issuer of USDC. The company will now be under dual supervision: the European regulator plus the existing US one. Meanwhile, on October 1, Circle filed a response seeking more flexible reserve requirements.

For users, this means one thing: European stablecoins are becoming more "bank-like" — with more checks but less freedom for the issuer. In practice, this could lead to changes in the terms of issuance and redemption of USDC in the EU.

USDT vs USDC: which to choose for payments

If you pay for subscriptions, games, or foreign services, USDT remains the most common tool. It's accepted almost everywhere crypto is accepted. USDC is a more "regulated" option, but because of that, it depends more on European authorities' decisions.

Here's the practical difference for everyday payments:

  • USDT (TRC-20) — lowest transfer fee (usually 1–3 USDT), instant crediting. Ideal for small payments and subscriptions.
  • USDT (BEP-20) — lower fee than Ethereum but higher than TRC-20. Good if your service only accepts BSC.
  • USDT (TON) — fast and cheap, but support in services is still limited. Check if the seller accepts TON network.
  • USDC — fees depend on the network (ERC-20 is expensive, others cheaper). After November 12, changes in the operation of European issuers are possible.

How to buy and transfer USDT without extra fees

The easiest way is to buy USDT on an exchange or via a P2P service and withdraw in the desired network. Here's a step-by-step:

  1. Choose an exchange or P2P platform where you can buy USDT for fiat.
  2. When withdrawing, specify the network the recipient accepts. If paying for a subscription, check which networks the service supports.
  3. Check the withdrawal fee: TRC-20 is usually 1 USDT, BEP-20 about 0.5–1 USDT, TON less than 0.1 USDT.
  4. Send a test amount if transferring a large sum for the first time.

To pay with a virtual card, you can top up the balance via a crypto gateway — then the card works like a regular Visa/Mastercard, and the seller doesn't see you paid with crypto.

Freeze risks: how not to lose money

The main risk with USDT is address or transaction blocking. This happens if your funds got into a chain linked to suspicious activity. Here's how to reduce risk:

  • Don't use addresses received from unknown persons or shady exchangers.
  • Split large sums into several transfers.
  • Check the counterparty's reputation before a deal.
  • For paying services, use virtual cards: they break the direct link between your crypto wallet and the recipient.
If a transaction is blocked, recovering funds is extremely difficult. Better to spend 5 minutes checking than lose the entire sum.

What to do right now

The USDC and EBA news is a signal that stablecoin regulation in the EU is tightening. For those paying for foreign services, this is not a reason to panic but a reason to check your chains:

  • Make sure your USDT is in low-fee networks (TRC-20 or TON).
  • If you use USDC, check whether terms for European users have changed after November 12.
  • For regular subscription payments, it's more convenient to keep a virtual card topped up with crypto — so you don't depend on network fees for each payment.

FAQ

Can I pay for a Netflix subscription with USDC?
Directly — no, Netflix doesn't accept crypto. But you can top up a virtual card with USDC and pay with it.

Which network for USDT is the cheapest?
TRC-20 and TON have the lowest fees. BEP-20 is a bit more expensive but still acceptable.

What will happen to USDC after November 12?
No exact data yet. Watch Circle and EBA announcements — changes in European issuers' operations are possible.

Not financial advice. Cryptocurrencies are subject to volatility and blocking risks. Check current terms on service websites.

Service, game, and franchise names belong to their rights holders and are mentioned only to describe payment scenarios; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.

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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; partner platforms are marked with a “Partner” badge.
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