CCTP moves USDC between chains using Circle's own system, so you always receive native USDC, never a bridged copy. Most CCTP transfers take seconds to about 20 minutes, though standard transfers from Linea can take up to 8 hours. Some routes need a second transaction from you on the destination chain.
How it works
A CCTP transfer happens in three parts:
- Burn. Your USDC is burned on the chain you send from.
- Attestation. Circle confirms the burn. Activity shows Waiting for attestation.
- Mint. The same amount of USDC is created on the destination chain.
The mint happens either automatically or when you select Finalize. It depends on the route you pick. Automatic or manual
Standard or Fast
The route list can show two speeds:
| Route | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CCTP | Seconds to about 20 minutes, depending on the chain you send from. Up to 8 hours from Linea. | No protocol fee |
| CCTP Fast | Usually under a minute | A small protocol fee, taken from the USDC you receive |
Standard waits for the sending chain to finalize its blocks. Fast doesn't wait, and Circle charges the fee for that. Fast isn't available from every chain, and has a limit on how much can move at once.
Automatic or manual
Each speed comes in two versions.
Automatic. A relayer mints your USDC on the destination chain for you. You make one transaction and you're done. The relayer charges a small fee, shown on the review screen before you confirm.
Manual. You mint the USDC yourself with a second transaction. There's no relaying fee, but you need gas on the destination chain. You also need to come back to finish.
To tell them apart, look at the route name. Automatic routes name the relayer after the route, such as CCTP Fast + Circle or CCTP + Wormhole. Manual routes show just CCTP or CCTP Fast, and the review screen shows See next steps next to Network fees.
Finish a manual transfer
- Wait for the attestation. Activity shows Waiting for attestation.
- When it's ready, Activity shows Action needed.
- Open the transfer and select Finalize on the Receive USDC step.
- Confirm the transaction in your wallet.
Your USDC arrives as soon as the transaction confirms. There's no deadline, so your USDC waits safely until you finalize.
Don't have gas on the destination chain? Get a small amount of its gas token first, or pick an automatic route next time. Gas on the destination chain
Taking longer than expected?
Circle's attestation can occasionally be slow when networks are busy. Your USDC is safe while you wait. Check Activity first: if it shows Action needed, the transfer is waiting for you to select Finalize. My transfer is taking longer than expected
Last reviewed September 28, 2026