> ## 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.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Before reading these docs, install the relevant Circle Skill to get pre-loaded context — skills are LLM-optimized and cover architecture decisions, correct flows, and common pitfalls. In Claude Code: run /plugin marketplace add circlefin/skills then /plugin install circle-skills@circle. With Vercel Skills CLI: run npx skills add circlefin/skills. Available skills: use-usdc https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-usdc/SKILL.md (balances, transfers, approvals on EVM and Solana); EURC has no skill — see https://developers.circle.com/stablecoins/what-is-eurc.md; bridge-stablecoin https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/bridge-stablecoin/SKILL.md (crosschain transfers via CCTP, USDC, EURC, and third-party assets); use-arc https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-arc/SKILL.md (Arc chain config, contract deployment, USDC bridging — Arc docs: https://docs.arc.io/llms.txt); use-circle-wallets https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-circle-wallets/SKILL.md (choose wallet type); use-developer-controlled-wallets https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-developer-controlled-wallets/SKILL.md (custodial wallets for payouts and treasury); use-user-controlled-wallets https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-user-controlled-wallets/SKILL.md (embedded wallets with Web2 login); use-modular-wallets https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-modular-wallets/SKILL.md (smart contract wallets with passkeys and ERC-4337); use-gateway https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-gateway/SKILL.md (unified USDC balance, nanopayments); use-smart-contract-platform https://github.com/circlefin/skills/blob/master/plugins/circle/skills/use-smart-contract-platform/SKILL.md (deploy, interact, monitor contracts). Pair any skill with the Circle MCP server for live SDK signatures, contract addresses, and chain IDs: {"mcpServers":{"circle":{"url":"https://api.circle.com/v1/codegen/mcp"}}}.
> Read the product overview first. Each product has an overview explaining when and why to use it. Read it before quickstarts.
> Pick the right wallet type. Developer-controlled (you hold keys), user-controlled (end user holds keys via PIN/social login), or modular (smart contract wallets with passkeys). See https://developers.circle.com/wallets.md.
> Use CCTP V2 for crosschain transfers. CCTP natively transfers USDC and EURC via burn-and-mint, and supports permissionless wrapping of third-party assets via lock-and-mint. V1 is legacy; always use V2 unless V1 is specified or the chain requires it (Noble, Sui, and Aptos still require V1). Migration guide: https://developers.circle.com/cctp/migration-from-v1-to-v2.md.
> Use Bridge Kit for frontend bridging. Wraps CCTP with a simpler SDK for user-facing apps. Use CCTP directly for backend transfers.
> Gas Station vs Paymaster. Gas Station sponsors gas for Circle Wallet transactions. Paymaster lets users pay gas in USDC. Different use cases — read both overviews.
> Gateway Nanopayments for sub-cent payments. Gasless USDC micropayments down to $0.000001 via x402 and batched settlement. For pay-per-request APIs, AI agent payments, streaming.
> Look up USDC addresses per chain. Never hardcode — use https://developers.circle.com/stablecoins/usdc-contract-addresses.md.
> Prefer SDKs over raw API calls. Node.js and Python SDKs handle auth, retries, and errors.
> API key required. Bearer token in Authorization header. Testnet and mainnet use separate keys and may use different base URLs depending on the product.
> Set up webhooks when available. Most operations are async. Webhooks deliver transaction confirmations and state changes.
> When calling list endpoints, paginate using pageSize and pageAfter until no nextPageAfter cursor is returned—stopping at the first page silently misses records.
> Building an AI agent? Start with the Agent Stack—Circle CLI, agent wallets, and nanopayments built for autonomous use cases: https://developers.circle.com/agent-stack.md.

# Quickstart: Mint and redeem USDC

> Deposit fiat to mint USDC, transfer it onchain, and redeem USDC back to fiat using the Circle Mint API.

This guide walks you through a complete mint-and-redeem cycle in the Circle Mint
sandbox: link a bank account, deposit fiat to mint USDC, transfer USDC onchain,
and redeem USDC back to fiat.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, complete the
[account and API key setup](/circle-mint/quickstarts/getting-started).

Replace `${YOUR_API_KEY}` in the examples below with your sandbox API key.

## Step 1: Create a bank account

Register a mock bank account using the
[create a wire bank account](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/create-business-wire-account)
endpoint. This bank account serves as the source for depositing fiat and the
destination for redeeming USDC.

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/banks/wires \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "idempotencyKey": "unique-id-1",
    "accountNumber": "12340010",
    "routingNumber": "121000248",
    "billingDetails": {
      "name": "Satoshi Nakamoto",
      "city": "Boston",
      "country": "US",
      "line1": "100 Money Street",
      "district": "MA",
      "postalCode": "01234"
    },
    "bankAddress": {
      "bankName": "WELLS FARGO BANK, NA",
      "city": "San Francisco",
      "country": "US",
      "line1": "420 Montgomery Street",
      "district": "CA"
    }
  }'
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "id": "9d1fa351-b24d-442a-8aa5-e717db1ed636",
    "status": "pending",
    "description": "WELLS FARGO BANK, NA ****0010",
    "trackingRef": "CIR2GKYL4B",
    "fingerprint": "a9a71b77-d83d-4fbc-997f-41a33550c594",
    "virtualAccountEnabled": true,
    "billingDetails": {
      "name": "Satoshi Nakamoto",
      "line1": "100 Money Street",
      "city": "Boston",
      "postalCode": "01234",
      "district": "MA",
      "country": "US"
    },
    "bankAddress": {
      "bankName": "WELLS FARGO BANK, NA",
      "city": "SAN FRANCISCO",
      "district": "CA",
      "country": "US"
    },
    "createDate": "2026-01-15T12:00:00.000Z",
    "updateDate": "2026-01-15T12:00:00.000Z"
  }
}
```

Save the bank account `id` from the response. You need it in the following
steps.

## Step 2: Get wire instructions

Retrieve the wire instructions for your bank account using the
[get wire instructions](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/get-business-wire-account-instructions)
endpoint. The response includes the `trackingRef` and beneficiary
`accountNumber` you need to simulate a wire deposit.

```bash theme={null}
curl https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/banks/wires/9d1fa351-b24d-442a-8aa5-e717db1ed636/instructions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}"
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "trackingRef": "CIR2GKYL4B",
    "beneficiary": {
      "name": "CIRCLE INTERNET FINANCIAL INC",
      "address1": "99 High Street",
      "address2": "Boston, MA 02110"
    },
    "beneficiaryBank": {
      "name": "CUSTOMERS BANK",
      "routingNumber": "031101279",
      "accountNumber": "123815146304",
      "city": "Phoenixville",
      "postalCode": "19460",
      "country": "US"
    }
  }
}
```

Save the `trackingRef` and the `beneficiaryBank.accountNumber` values for the
next step.

## Step 3: Deposit fiat to mint USDC

Simulate a wire deposit using the
[create a mock wire payment](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/create-mock-wire-payment)
endpoint. In the sandbox, this mints USDC into your Circle Mint account without
moving real funds.

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/mocks/payments/wire \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "amount": { "amount": "100.00", "currency": "USD" },
    "trackingRef": "CIR2GKYL4B",
    "beneficiaryBank": { "accountNumber": "123815146304" }
  }'
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "trackingRef": "CIR2GKYL4B",
    "amount": { "amount": "100.00", "currency": "USD" },
    "status": "pending"
  }
}
```

<Note>
  Sandbox mock wire deposits process in batches and may take up to 15 minutes to
  complete. Wait for the deposit to settle before continuing.
</Note>

After the deposit settles, verify your balance using the
[list all balances](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/list-business-balances)
endpoint:

```bash theme={null}
curl https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/balances \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}"
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "available": [{ "amount": "100.00", "currency": "USD" }],
    "unsettled": []
  }
}
```

The `available` balance confirms that your fiat deposit minted USDC
successfully.

## Step 4: Transfer USDC onchain

Send USDC from your Circle Mint account to an external blockchain address. This
step requires two API calls: create a recipient address, then create a transfer.

### 4.1. Create a recipient address

Register a destination address using the
[create a recipient address](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/create-business-recipient-address)
endpoint. This example uses the Ethereum blockchain.

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/wallets/addresses/recipient \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "idempotencyKey": "unique-id-2",
    "address": "0x493A9869E3B5f846f72267ab19B76e9bf99d51b1",
    "chain": "ETH",
    "currency": "USD",
    "description": "External Ethereum wallet"
  }'
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "id": "cfa01bb0-d166-5506-a48a-56f2beab559f",
    "address": "0x493a9869e3b5f846f72267ab19b76e9bf99d51b1",
    "chain": "ETH",
    "currency": "USD",
    "description": "External Ethereum wallet"
  }
}
```

### 4.2. Create a transfer

Send USDC to the recipient address using the
[create a transfer](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/create-business-transfer)
endpoint:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/transfers \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "idempotencyKey": "unique-id-3",
    "destination": {
      "type": "verified_blockchain",
      "addressId": "cfa01bb0-d166-5506-a48a-56f2beab559f"
    },
    "amount": { "currency": "USD", "amount": "25.00" }
  }'
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "id": "21fd4ec4-bad1-4eb2-9fc5-60320dedc7ea",
    "source": { "type": "wallet", "id": "1016875042" },
    "destination": {
      "type": "blockchain",
      "address": "0x493a9869e3b5f846f72267ab19b76e9bf99d51b1",
      "chain": "ETH"
    },
    "amount": { "amount": "25.00", "currency": "USD" },
    "status": "pending"
  }
}
```

The transfer starts in `pending` status, moves to `running` once broadcast
onchain, and reaches `complete` after enough
[blockchain confirmations](/circle-mint/references/blockchain-confirmations).

## Step 5: Redeem USDC to fiat

Convert your remaining USDC balance back to fiat by creating a payout to the
bank account you registered in Step 1. Use the
[create a payout](/api-reference/circle-mint/account/create-business-payout)
endpoint:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/payouts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "idempotencyKey": "unique-id-4",
    "destination": {
      "type": "wire",
      "id": "9d1fa351-b24d-442a-8aa5-e717db1ed636"
    },
    "amount": { "currency": "USD", "amount": "75.00" }
  }'
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "id": "9cf38c76-cac4-40d8-a516-f46e9a610a85",
    "amount": { "amount": "75.00", "currency": "USD" },
    "status": "pending",
    "sourceWalletId": "1016875042",
    "destination": {
      "type": "wire",
      "id": "9d1fa351-b24d-442a-8aa5-e717db1ed636",
      "name": "WELLS FARGO BANK, NA ****0010"
    }
  }
}
```

## Step 6: Verify the round trip

Check your final balance to confirm both the transfer and payout processed:

```bash theme={null}
curl https://api-sandbox.circle.com/v1/businessAccount/balances \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${YOUR_API_KEY}"
```

Expected response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": {
    "available": [{ "amount": "0.00", "currency": "USD" }],
    "unsettled": []
  }
}
```

You completed the full Circle Mint cycle:

1. Deposited \$100 USD via wire to mint 100 USDC.
2. Transferred 25 USDC onchain to an Ethereum address.
3. Redeemed 75 USDC back to fiat via wire payout.

Your available balance returns to zero, confirming every dollar is accounted
for.

<Note>
  The mock wire endpoint used in Step 3 is only available in the sandbox. In
  production, initiate wire transfers from your own banking interface using the
  wire instructions from Step 2. All other API calls in this guide work the same
  in production. See [Sandbox to
  Production](/circle-mint/references/sandbox-and-testing) for details on
  transitioning.
</Note>