> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.circle.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Crosschain transfers

> Move USDC seamlessly across blockchains with native burn-and-mint protocols and unified balances.

<Tip>
  **Use dedicated SDKs for crosschain transfers**

  [Bridge Kit](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@circle-fin/bridge-kit) and
  [Unified Balance Kit](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@circle-fin/unified-balance-kit)
  let you move USDC across blockchains without low-level protocol work. Both
  support multiple blockchains and wallet providers.
</Tip>

## What you can build

Move USDC across chains securely and efficiently with tools designed for speed,
capital efficiency, and composability:

* **Protocol-level integration**: Build with [CCTP](/cctp), Circle's
  permissionless protocol that burns and mints native USDC across supported
  blockchains.
* **Chain-free UX**: A single [Gateway](/gateway) balance that works seamlessly
  across chains, enabling instant access to liquidity and a simplified
  experience for users.
* **Agentic commerce**: Use Gateway [Nanopayments](/gateway/nanopayments) to
  enable gas-free USDC payments down to \$0.000001, purpose-built for AI agents,
  usage-based billing, and high-frequency sub-cent transactions.

## Choose your approach

Each product is designed for different crosschain use cases. Pick the approach
that matches your application needs.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="CCTP" icon="arrow-up-arrow-down" href="/cctp">
    Permissionless burn-and-mint protocol for native USDC transfers with fast
    and standard options.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gateway" icon="dungeon" href="/gateway">
    Unified USDC balance instantly accessible across supported chains. No manual
    bridging required.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When to use each product

Understanding which tool fits your use case helps you build the right crosschain
experience:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use CCTP for direct protocol access" icon="arrow-up-arrow-down">
    CCTP is best when you need fine-grained control over crosschain transfers or
    want to build custom composable flows. It's a permissionless protocol that
    enables native USDC transfers through burn-and-mint mechanics. Use CCTP when
    you need to integrate crosschain transfers at the smart contract level,
    require Fast Transfer for speed-sensitive use cases, or want to trigger
    automated actions post-transfer using Hooks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Gateway for unified balance" icon="dungeon">
    Gateway is designed for applications where users need instant access to their
    USDC across multiple chains without manual bridging. It's perfect for
    multichain apps, DEXs with chain abstraction, or any platform where users
    should see and spend one unified balance regardless of which chain they're on.
    Gateway eliminates the need for liquidity management across chains.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Nanopayments for agentic and sub-cent payments" icon="robot">
    Nanopayments extends Gateway with batched settlement to enable gas-free
    USDC payments at sub-cent scale. Use it when your application involves AI
    agents paying for resources, per-request billing, machine-to-machine
    commerce, or any scenario where per-transaction gas costs would exceed the
    payment value.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Dive deeper

* Explore the [CCTP technical guide](/cctp/technical-guide) to understand Fast
  Transfer and Standard Transfer options.
* Read the Gateway quickstarts ([EVM](/gateway/quickstarts/unified-balance-evm),
  [Solana](/gateway/quickstarts/unified-balance-solana)) to create and use a
  unified USDC balance.
* Explore [Nanopayments](/gateway/nanopayments) to build agentic commerce with
  gas-free, sub-cent USDC payments.
* Learn about [CCTP supported blockchains](/cctp/cctp-supported-blockchains) and
  [Gateway supported blockchains](/gateway/references/supported-blockchains).