# Bridged stablecoin (USDC.e)

Working definition: a stablecoin copy on another chain, backed by originals locked in a contract, not issued by the issuer.

Canonical: https://achivx.org/glossary/bridged-stablecoin/
Updated: 2026-11-01

A bridged stablecoin (working definition) is a version of a stablecoin on another blockchain, backed by the original tokens locked in a smart contract, rather than one issued by the stablecoin's issuer. Circle says bridged USDC is unofficial and neither issued nor redeemable by Circle; on Arbitrum the form bridged from Ethereum is called USDC.e. Circle's Bridged USDC Standard gives Circle the option, but not the obligation, to upgrade such a token to native USDC later.

## What the sources say

| Source | Quote | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Circle blog: bridged USDC unofficial | "While bridged USDC is unofficial and not issued nor redeemable by Circle" | [circle.com](https://www.circle.com/blog/bridged-usdc-standard) |
| Circle blog: backing of bridged USDC | "Backed by USDC on another blockchain locked in a smart contract" | [circle.com](https://www.circle.com/blog/bridged-usdc-standard) |
| Circle blog: USDC.e on Arbitrum | "In the case of Arbitrum, there also exists a “bridged” form of USDC, known as USDC.e, that’s been bridged from Ethereum. USDC.e is not issued by Circle." | [circle.com](https://www.circle.com/blog/arbitrum-usdc-now-available) |
| Circle Bridged USDC page: option, not obligation | "Bridged USDC Standard grants Circle the option, but not the obligation, to obtain ownership of the token contract and upgrade to native USDC." | [circle.com](https://www.circle.com/bridged-usdc) |

## Related terms

- [Bridge / bridge crossing](/glossary/bridge/)
- [Omnichain token (USDT0)](/glossary/omnichain-token/)
- [Wrong network transfer](/glossary/wrong-network-transfer/)
- [Issuer](/glossary/issuer/)

## See also

- Data: [Bridge stablecoin holdings and flows](/data/bridges/)
- Explainer: [What are USDT0 and USDC.e — are they the same as USDT and USDC?](https://achivx.com/academy/how-it-works/what-is-usdt0-or-usdce.html)
- Review: [revain.org/coins/usdc/](https://revain.org/coins/usdc/)
- Review: [revain.org/coins/usdt0/](https://revain.org/coins/usdt0/)
- Review: [revain.org/projects/arbitrum/](https://revain.org/projects/arbitrum/)
- Review: [revain.org/projects/stargate/](https://revain.org/projects/stargate/)

Checked against the sources on 2026-11-01.

## revain.org
- https://revain.org/coins/usdc/
- https://revain.org/coins/usdt0/
- https://revain.org/projects/arbitrum/
- https://revain.org/projects/stargate/

## Sources
- https://www.circle.com/blog/bridged-usdc-standard
- https://www.circle.com/blog/arbitrum-usdc-now-available
- https://www.circle.com/bridged-usdc