USDC on AVAX vs L2s

    an in-depth comparison of Circle's USDC usage in Avalanche VS layer2 blockchains (e.g: Arbitrum, Polygon and Optimism)

    In this dashboard, we will compare the utilization of USDC across Avalanche and L2s like Optimism, Arbitrum, and Polygon. By analyzing metrics such as minted and burned USDC, number of holders, the velocity of transfers, and average transfer amounts, we will craft a narrative of USDC usage on Avalanche versus L2s. We'll also explore the protocols where USDC is heavily utilized and examine swapping activity involving USDC, revealing the assets users are swapping to and from.

    The dashboard provides a "Time_Interval" parameter that allows you to switch between Monthly (default and recommended), Weekly, or Daily views for the over-time graphs.


    USDC was initially deployed on the Ethereum blockchain in September 2018. However, its availability expanded to other chains over time. Here are the deployment dates for USDC on Polygon, Avalanche, Arbitrum and Optimism.

    • Polygon: USDC was deployed on the Polygon network on Mid-2020.
    • Avalanche: USDC was deployed on the Avalanche network on Late-2021.
    • Arbitrum: USDC became available on the Arbitrum network on Late-2021.
    • Optimism: USDC was deployed on the Optimism network on Early-2022.

    The disparity in deployment dates between Polygon and Avalanche, as the older hosts of USDC, can have a significant impact on the analysis provided. The longer duration of USDC's presence on these chains compared to the other chains can result in notable differences in user adoption, ecosystem development, and overall usage patterns.

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    What is USDC?

    USDC stands for USD Coin, which is a stablecoin pegged to the value of the United States dollar (USD). It is a digital asset designed to provide stability and facilitate transactions within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

    The primary purpose of USDC is to provide a reliable and transparent digital representation of the USD. It offers several advantages over traditional fiat currencies, including faster and cheaper cross-border transactions, increased accessibility, and compatibility with various decentralized applications and platforms.

    USDC is widely used in cryptocurrency exchanges, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, lending platforms, and other applications within the blockchain ecosystem. Its stable value makes it a popular choice for traders seeking a stable store of value or a medium of exchange, especially during periods of high volatility in the broader cryptocurrency market.

    What is L2 Blockchain?

    A Layer 2 blockchain, also known as a Layer 2 solution, is a scaling mechanism or framework that operates on top of an existing blockchain network, typically referred to as the Layer 1 blockchain. The primary purpose of Layer 2 solutions is to address the scalability limitations of Layer 1 blockchains, which often face challenges such as high fees and slower transaction processing times.

    Layer 2 blockchains are designed to process a significant number of transactions off-chain or in a more efficient manner, while still leveraging the security and decentralization of the Layer 1 blockchain. They achieve this by bundling multiple transactions together and submitting them as a single batch to the Layer 1 chain. This approach helps to reduce the congestion and burden on the Layer 1 blockchain, resulting in faster and more cost-effective transactions.

    Layer 2 blockchains provide significant scalability improvements to Layer 1 blockchains, allowing for faster transaction processing, lower fees, and increased capacity for decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts. They help alleviate congestion and enhance the overall user experience, making blockchain technology more accessible and efficient for a wide range of applications.

    What is Polygon?

    Polygon, formerly known as Matic Network, is a Layer 2 scaling solution and framework for Ethereum. It is designed to address the scalability issues of the Ethereum network by providing a scalable and interoperable platform for decentralized applications (DApps) and blockchain projects.

    Polygon achieves scalability by utilizing a combination of technologies, including sidechains, plasma chains, and a hybrid Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. This allows for faster transaction processing and lower fees compared to the Ethereum mainnet.

    One of the key components of Polygon is its set of interconnected sidechains, known as Polygon PoS (Proof-of-Stake) chains. These chains provide a high-performance environment for executing smart contracts and processing transactions, while still being able to communicate and interact with the Ethereum network.

    Polygon also offers a range of developer tools, such as the Polygon SDK and Polygon.js, which simplify the process of building and deploying DApps on the network. Developers can leverage the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and use popular programming languages, frameworks, and tools to create scalable and interoperable applications.

    What is Arbitrum?

    Arbitrum is a Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution for Ethereum, designed to address the scalability limitations of the Ethereum network. It aims to enhance the speed and efficiency of transactions while reducing transaction fees and congestion on the main Ethereum chain.

    Developed by Offchain Labs, Arbitrum utilizes a technology called Optimistic Rollup. It works by bundling multiple transactions together and submitting them to the Ethereum mainnet as a single batch. The majority of transaction processing and validation occurs off-chain, with only the essential data and proofs being recorded on the Ethereum mainnet.

    By leveraging Optimistic Rollup, Arbitrum achieves significant scalability improvements. It allows for a higher throughput of transactions while still maintaining the security and decentralization properties of the Ethereum network. Users can benefit from faster confirmation times and lower transaction fees compared to executing transactions directly on the Ethereum mainnet.

    What is Avalanche?

    Avalanche is a Layer 1 (L1) decentralized blockchain platform that aims to provide fast, secure, and highly scalable solutions for decentralized applications (DApps) and financial systems. It was created to address the scalability and throughput limitations often associated with existing blockchain networks.

    Avalanche utilizes a unique consensus protocol called Avalanche Consensus, which employs a novel approach known as "meta-transactional asynchronous consensus." This consensus mechanism enables the network to achieve high throughput and low latency, allowing for thousands of transactions to be processed per second.

    One of the key features of Avalanche is its ability to support the creation of custom subnets or virtual blockchains. These subnets can operate independently with their own consensus rules, validators, and virtual machines, while still benefiting from the security and interoperability of the Avalanche network. This architecture provides flexibility and scalability for different types of applications and use cases.

    What is Optimism?

    Optimism is a Layer 2 scaling solution designed to improve the scalability and efficiency of the Ethereum blockchain. It aims to alleviate congestion and high fees on the Ethereum mainnet by leveraging a technology called Optimistic Rollup.

    Optimistic Rollup is a technique that allows for the execution of smart contracts and processing of transactions off-chain, while still maintaining the security and trustlessness of the Ethereum network. It achieves this by employing a two-step process: the bulk of transaction processing occurs off-chain, and only a compressed summary of the transactions is submitted to the Ethereum mainnet.

    In the Optimism network, the off-chain processing takes place within an "optimistic" environment where transactions are assumed to be valid by default. The transactions are then validated and verified by a set of validators, who ensure that the transactions comply with the rules and logic of the Ethereum network. This validation process helps ensure the integrity of the transactions and prevents any malicious activity.

    By moving the majority of transaction processing off-chain, Optimism significantly improves the scalability of Ethereum. It allows for faster confirmation times, higher transaction throughput, and reduced fees compared to executing transactions directly on the Ethereum mainnet. This makes Optimism particularly well-suited for decentralized applications (DApps) that require high transaction volumes and low latency.

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