NEAR Protocol (NEAR) vs USDC (USDC)

NEAR Protocol, more commonly abbreviated as Near, is a layer 1 blockchain operating on a Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism. The technological infrastructure of Near uses an innovative sharding method called Nightshade, which enhances transaction processing capacity and network scalability. Developers can create and deploy smart contracts using familiar programming languages, and the Aurora tool allows them to have full compatibility with Ethereum.

USDC is a stablecoin, meaning it is a stable cryptocurrency aimed at replicating the value of the US dollar (USD). Launched in 2018 by the company Circle, USDC is one of the most widely used centralized stablecoins by investors. Each USDC is backed by one US dollar held in cash or equivalent assets. Circle's reserves are audited and made public on a monthly basis. In 2024, Circle became the first stablecoin issuer to comply with the MiCA regulation in Europe.