> ## 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.

# Execute your first trade in the Console

> Go from zero to your first StableFX trade using the console UI — no code required.

By the end of this quickstart, you will have requested a quote, signed a trade
with your wallet, and funded a settlement onchain.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

* Created a **Circle account** with StableFX access. If you don't have one,
  contact your Circle representative.
* Connected an **EVM-compatible wallet** (such as MetaMask or any
  WalletConnect-supported wallet) with a balance on the Arc network.
* Funded your wallet with **USDC or EURC** tokens on Arc.
* Granted **Permit2 approval** for your tokens. Permit2 is a smart contract that
  enables offchain signature-based token approvals, reducing the number of
  onchain transactions required. If you haven't done this, see
  [Granting USDC allowance with Permit2](/stablefx/howtos/grant-usdc-allowance-permit2).
  The console also prompts you during the trade flow if approval is missing.

<Note>
  For testnet, your wallet must be connected to Arc Testnet (chain ID `5042002`,
  RPC `https://rpc.testnet.arc.network`). You can obtain test USDC and EURC from
  the [Circle Faucet](https://faucet.circle.com/).
</Note>

## Step 1: Sign in and complete onboarding

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the console">
    Go to the [StableFX Console](https://portal.circle.com/fx/home) and sign in
    with your Circle account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete KYB verification">
    If this is your first time, the Home page displays your onboarding status.
    Click **Start onboarding** to begin the KYB (Know Your Business)
    verification process. You will be redirected to the onboarding portal to
    submit required documents.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to the console">
    Once your application is approved, return to the console. Your Home page now
    shows live FX rates and the trade form.

    <Frame caption="The StableFX Console home page with live rates and trade form">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/circle-167b8d39/HM4XcUeNobQEQ2YB/stablefx/images/console-home-page.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=HM4XcUeNobQEQ2YB&q=85&s=ba99e3874e60dc43086f11137830524f" width="1412" height="1250" data-path="stablefx/images/console-home-page.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 2: Request a quote

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the trade form">
    On the Home page, locate the **Trade** card. You can also navigate to
    **Overview** or **Trades** and click the **New Trade** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure your trade">
    In the trade form side panel:

    * Select the **From** currency and enter the amount you want to sell (for
      example, `1000 USDC`).
    * Select the **To** currency (for example, `EURC`). One side of the pair
      must always be USDC.
    * Choose a **settlement tenor** (the time window in which both parties
      must fund the trade before it expires): `instant` (30 min), `hourly`
      (1 hr), or `daily` (24 hrs).

    The console automatically fetches a reference quote and displays the estimated
    exchange rate and the amount you will receive.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Continue to wallet selection">
    Click **Continue** to proceed to the wallet connection step.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 3: Connect your wallet

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select or connect a wallet">
    The console prompts you to connect an EVM-compatible wallet. If you have already
    connected a wallet in a previous session, it may be pre-selected.

    Click **Connect Wallet** and follow the prompts from your wallet provider. For
    detailed instructions, see
    [Connecting your wallet to the console](/stablefx/howtos/connect-wallet-console).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the wallet">
    Verify that the displayed wallet address is correct, then click **Continue**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  The wallet you connect must hold sufficient tokens for the trade amount plus
  any collateral (risk buffer). The console checks your balance before
  proceeding.
</Warning>

## Step 4: Lock the rate and create the trade

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review the tradable quote">
    The confirmation panel displays:

    * The live exchange **rate** (refreshed every 3 seconds)
    * The exact **amounts** for both sides of the trade
    * The **fee** (denominated in the "to" currency)
    * The **collateral** (risk buffer) amount, if applicable
    * The **settlement tenor** and expiration time
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve the Permit2 contract">
    If this is your first trade with this token, the console prompts you to approve
    the Permit2 contract. Your wallet will display an ERC-20 approval transaction.
    Confirm it in your wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign the trade">
    Click **Lock Rate & Continue**. Your wallet prompts you to sign EIP-712 typed
    data. This signature authorizes the trade at the locked rate. Confirm the
    signature in your wallet.

    The console submits the trade and displays the result.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Quotes expire after a short window. If your wallet takes too long to confirm
  the signature, the console displays a "Quote expired" error. Click **Refresh
  Quote** to fetch a new rate, then sign again. If your wallet shows an
  insufficient-balance error, add funds to cover the trade amount plus any
  collateral before retrying.
</Warning>

## Step 5: Fund the trade

After the trade is created and both parties have signed, the trade moves to
`pending_settlement` status. You can now fund your side. The maker (your
counterparty) funds their side independently through their own console session.
For details, see
[Fulfill trades as a maker](/stablefx/howtos/fulfill-trade-console).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the trade">
    Navigate to the **Trades** page and find your trade. Click on it to open the
    trade details side panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Fund">
    If the trade is ready for funding, the **Fund** button is available. Click
    it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review deliverables and receivables">
    The funding panel shows:

    * **You deliver**: The token and amount you send to escrow.
    * **You receive**: The token and amount you receive after settlement.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign and submit funding">
    Click **Fund Trade**. Your wallet prompts you to sign Permit2 typed data.
    This signature authorizes the token transfer to the FxEscrow contract.
    Confirm it in your wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm settlement">
    Once both parties have funded, the FxEscrow contract settles the trade
    automatically. The trade status updates to `complete`, and you receive the
    settlement tokens in your wallet.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can monitor the trade status in real time on the Trades page. The status
  column updates automatically every 30 seconds, or you can click a trade to see
  live updates every 3 seconds. For more on managing trade settlement, see
  [Settle trades in the console](/stablefx/howtos/settle-trades-console).
</Tip>