Cross-Border Payment Cost Calculator
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Compare traditional SEPA transfers with EURC payments for EU cross-border transactions
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Traditional SEPA Transfer Cost:
€0.00
EURC Transaction Cost:
€0.00
€0.00
Based on article data: SEPA costs €5 per transfer + 1-2 days processing; EURC costs <€0.01 per transfer + near-instant settlement
Why This Matters
As stated in the article: "A SEPA transfer takes 1–2 business days and can cost up to €5. EURC on Solana settles in 2.5 seconds and costs less than €0.01."
For businesses sending multiple payments daily, the savings add up quickly. EURC is especially valuable for EU freelancers and small businesses making frequent cross-border payments.
EURC is a digital token that holds the same value as one euro. It’s not a speculative cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Instead, it’s a stablecoin - designed to stay exactly worth €1, no matter how wild the crypto market gets. Created by Circle, the same company behind USDC, EURC brings the stability of the euro into the world of blockchain. If you’re tired of watching your crypto holdings swing 20% in a day, EURC offers a quiet alternative: a digital euro you can send, store, and use on-chain without the noise.
How EURC Works: Backed by Real Euros
Every EURC token you hold is backed by one euro held in reserve. That’s it. No algorithms. No complex collateral. No risky bets on other crypto assets. Circle keeps those euros in regulated European banks - mostly in cash and short-term government bonds - inside the European Economic Area. Every month, Grant Thornton, one of the Big Four accounting firms, checks those reserves and publishes a report. You can see exactly how much euro is sitting behind the EURC tokens in circulation. That transparency is rare in crypto.
This isn’t like UST, the stablecoin that collapsed in 2022 because it wasn’t fully backed. EURC doesn’t take risks. If you have 100 EURC, Circle holds 100 euros somewhere in Europe. If you want to cash out, you can redeem your EURC for euros through supported exchanges. That’s the whole point: trust, but verify.
Where You Can Use EURC
EURC runs on multiple blockchains: Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Stellar, and Base. That means it works with most wallets and DeFi apps. You can swap EURC for other tokens on Uniswap, lend it on Aave, or use it as collateral on dYdX - all while keeping your value tied to the euro. It’s especially useful for people in the EU who want to avoid currency conversion fees when moving money across borders.
Businesses are starting to use it too. Fintech companies in Germany, Spain, and France use EURC to pay freelancers or settle invoices between EU countries. A single transaction can cost less than €0.10 and settle in seconds on Solana. Compare that to traditional bank transfers, which can take days and charge 1-3% in fees. For cross-border payments within Europe, EURC is faster, cheaper, and more predictable.
Why EURC Isn’t as Popular as USDC Yet
Despite its solid design, EURC isn’t everywhere. As of October 2025, its market cap sits around $55 million. That’s tiny next to USDC’s $24 billion. You won’t find EURC on every exchange - only about 30, including Coinbase, Bitstamp, and Kraken. On most platforms, you can only trade it against BTC, ETH, or EUR. You can’t swap it for Shiba Inu or Solana directly on many apps.
Liquidity is another issue. If you try to sell €100,000 worth of EURC in one go, you’ll likely see slippage - the price drops because there aren’t enough buyers. USDC? You can move $100 million without blinking. EURC’s smaller pool means it’s better for small to medium transactions, not institutional trades.
Merchants don’t accept it widely either. Only around 3,200 businesses globally take EURC as payment. USDC is accepted by over 78,000. If you want to buy coffee with crypto in Berlin, you’re more likely to find USDC than EURC.
How EURC Compares to Other Euro Stablecoins
There are other euro stablecoins - like EURS from Stasis. But EURC has one big advantage: Circle’s reputation. USDC is the most trusted dollar stablecoin. EURC benefits from that same brand. It’s built on the same compliance infrastructure, same audit process, same team. EURS, while also regulated, doesn’t have the same global exchange access or developer support.
Another key difference is regulation. EURC was designed to meet MiCA - the EU’s new crypto law that came into force in 2024. It’s one of the first stablecoins fully compliant with those rules. That means it’s legally allowed to operate in all 27 EU countries without needing separate approvals. Other stablecoins aren’t there yet.
How to Get Started with EURC
Getting EURC is simple if you already use crypto:
- Sign up on a supported exchange like Coinbase or Bitstamp.
- Complete KYC verification - usually takes 24 to 48 hours.
- Deposit euros via SEPA transfer or card.
- Buy EURC directly on the platform.
- Send it to your wallet (MetaMask, Phantom, Trust Wallet, etc.) if you want to use it in DeFi.
No special skills needed. If you’ve bought Bitcoin before, you can handle EURC. The learning curve is flat.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Feature | EURC | USDC | EURS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | 1:1 Euro (cash + short-term bonds) | 1:1 USD | 1:1 Euro (cash only) |
| Regulation | Full MiCA compliance | US-focused, not MiCA-compliant | Regulated, but less global reach |
| Blockchains | Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Stellar, Base | Many, including Solana and Tron | Ethereum, Algorand |
| Market Cap (Oct 2025) | $55 million | $24 billion | $1.2 billion |
| Exchanges | ~30 | 150+ | ~20 |
| Best For | EU residents, DeFi, cross-border payments | Global trading, liquidity | EU-focused users who want cash-only backing |
Who Should Use EURC?
EURC is perfect for:
- People in the Eurozone who want a digital euro they can use on-chain.
- Freelancers and small businesses sending payments across EU borders.
- DeFi users who need euro-denominated assets for lending or trading.
- Investors looking for a low-volatility crypto asset tied to the euro.
It’s not for you if:
- You need high liquidity for large trades.
- You trade mostly on altcoin pairs (like SOL/SHIB).
- You’re outside the EU and rarely use euros.
- You want to earn yield from staking - EURC doesn’t offer that.
The Future of EURC
Circle plans to expand EURC’s reach in 2025. They’re adding the Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), which will let you move EURC between blockchains without using intermediaries. That’s a big deal for DeFi users. If you hold EURC on Ethereum and want to use it on Solana, you’ll be able to do it instantly and cheaply.
Gartner predicts that by 2026, 70% of European financial institutions will integrate EURC into their systems. The European Central Bank is also watching closely. While a digital euro from the ECB is still years away, EURC could act as a bridge - a private-sector solution that fills the gap until public infrastructure catches up.
But risks remain. If MiCA changes and forces Circle to hold 100% cash reserves (instead of including government bonds), the cost of running EURC could rise. That might lead to higher fees or slower growth.
For now, EURC is a quiet, reliable tool. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t promise moonshots. But if you live in Europe and want to move euros digitally without banks, it’s one of the best options out there.
Is EURC the same as the digital euro the ECB is developing?
No. EURC is a private stablecoin issued by Circle. The digital euro would be a central bank digital currency (CBDC) issued directly by the European Central Bank. EURC is already live and usable today. The ECB’s digital euro is still in testing and won’t be available to the public before 2027 at the earliest. EURC is a market-driven alternative, not an official government currency.
Can I earn interest on EURC?
Not directly from Circle. EURC itself doesn’t pay interest or rewards. But you can lend it on DeFi platforms like Aave or Compound to earn yield. That’s where the risk comes in - you’re trusting a smart contract, not Circle. Always research the platform before depositing funds.
Is EURC safe from hacks?
The EURC smart contracts have been audited and haven’t been compromised since launch. But like all crypto, your funds are only as safe as your wallet. If you store EURC on an exchange, you’re trusting that exchange. If you use a self-custody wallet, you’re responsible for your private keys. Never share them. Circle doesn’t control your wallet - only the reserves behind the tokens.
Can I use EURC outside the EU?
Yes. EURC works anywhere you can access a supported blockchain. But its real value shines in the Eurozone. Outside the EU, most traders prefer USDC because it’s more liquid and accepted everywhere. If you’re in the U.S. or Asia, EURC might be harder to use or less useful unless you’re specifically dealing with euro-denominated assets.
What happens if Circle goes bankrupt?
Circle holds EURC reserves in segregated accounts at regulated European banks. That means those euros aren’t part of Circle’s corporate assets. Even if Circle shuts down, the reserves should still exist and can be claimed by token holders through a legal process. It’s not guaranteed, but the structure is designed to protect users. That’s why audits and regulatory oversight matter.
How does EURC compare to bank transfers?
EURC is faster and cheaper for cross-border payments within the EU. A SEPA transfer takes 1-2 business days and can cost up to €5. EURC on Solana settles in 2.5 seconds and costs less than €0.01. For businesses sending multiple payments daily, the savings add up fast. But for one-off payments, banks are still easier for non-tech users.
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