Introduction to Chains and Currencies

If you’re new to blockchain concepts, a blockchain (or simply “chain”) is a decentralized ledger that records actions across a network. Computers on the Internet use a blockchain to agree on a shared transaction history for all participants in the network. Think of it as a distributed database where everyone who wants to transact logs their actions according to specific rules that prevent any tampering or cheating. Examples of blockchains include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Algorand .

A blockchain typically hosts one or more cryptocurrencies (also called “currencies” or “tokens”) that hold value. Most chains have a native currency, but many also support additional tokens. For instance, the Bitcoin chain's native currency is Bitcoin (BTC) currency, but also hosts secondary tokens like Omni (OMNI). The Ethereum chain hosts the native Ethereum (ETH) currency, but also a wide variety of currencies and tokens, including USDC and USDT. Many of them follow a technical standard called ERC-20. Similarly, the Algorand chain hosts the native Algo (ALGO) currency, but also a variety of assets built under the Algorand Standard Assets framework, including USDC and USDT.

At times, a single currency may be available across multiple chains.

Supported Chains and Currencies

The table below shows the chains and currencies currently supported by the crypto asset API.

Native USDC

Bridged USDC

Native USDT

Bridged USDT

Additional Supported Assets