Users of Arbitrum Orbit Chain, a layer-3 solution built on Ethereum ’s technology, can now utilize USDC to pay for gas fees. This development comes as the ARB token, which is the native currency of Arbitrum, continues to experience significant declines, with losses nearing 80% since its peak in January 2024.
The introduction of bridged USDC for gas fees aims to alleviate costs and attract developers to the platform. As of early August, USDC ranks among the leading stablecoins by market capitalization. With Circle, the token’s issuer, having minted over $34.5 billion primarily on Ethereum and its layer-2 solutions, USDC is becoming increasingly integrated into various blockchain ecosystems, including Solana and the BNB Chain. Currently, Arbitrum has seen over $1.6 billion of USDC bridged onto its network.
One of the key benefits of allowing transactions in USDC is the stability it brings. Users can now avoid the volatility commonly associated with Ethereum gas fees, which can surge dramatically during periods of network congestion. This unpredictability often drives users to consider alternative platforms, such as Solana or Avalanche, which offer more stable fee structures. With USDC being pegged to the U.S. dollar, users can have a clearer understanding of potential gas costs, facilitating better budgeting and overall financial management.
Additionally, this feature is expected to simplify the user experience by reducing the necessity of holding multiple tokens for transaction fees. Circle has also announced a grant program aimed at encouraging the development of projects on Arbitrum, potentially increasing USDC usage within the orbit chain ecosystem. Despite these positive steps towards broader adoption, ARB continues to see downward pressure, remaining significantly below its early 2024 value and indicating challenging market conditions.
