Get USDC (on Base)

For the live CYRUS mint, USDC on Base is the only purchase asset.

That means you need two things before you open the app:

1. USDC on Base
2. a small amount of ETH on Base for gas

If you send the wrong stablecoin, use the wrong network, or arrive on Base without gas, the mint flow will not work correctly.

The Short Version

The cleanest path for most people is:

1. get USDC
2. move it to your own wallet on Base
3. keep a small amount of Base ETH for approvals and purchases
4. then continue to Buy CYRUS

Recommended Paths

1. Coinbase

This is the most recommended path for most users.

Why this is the easiest route:

• it is the cleanest path into native USDC on Base
• it reduces bridge risk and wrong-network mistakes
• Coinbase’s current onramp docs say support is available in all countries where Coinbase operates except Japan, and their payment-method support is broad across cards and ACH depending on region
• Coinbase also documents guest checkout for non-account-holders in the US, UK, and Canada

Practical flow:

1. Buy USDC on Coinbase
2. Withdraw to your own wallet
3. Select Base as the withdrawal network
4. Send a small test amount first if you are unsure
5. Keep a bit of ETH on Base as well

Always confirm the destination network is Base before you send.

2. Wallet onramp

This is the second-best option when you want to buy directly from inside a wallet flow.

This can be convenient, but it is usually less predictable than Coinbase because:

• availability depends heavily on the provider
• supported countries and payment methods vary
• pricing and settlement can be less consistent across providers

Good rule: if you want the most straightforward path, use Coinbase first. Use a wallet onramp when it is clearly available in your region and already integrated into the wallet you trust.

Examples include wallet-integrated flows powered by providers such as Coinbase Onramp, MoonPay, or Transak, depending on the wallet.

Regional note: wallet onramp availability varies by provider and country. In practice, many wallet-integrated onramps have narrower support than Coinbase and may be unavailable or limited in the US and other jurisdictions depending on the provider and payment method. Always check the provider’s live country list before starting.

3. Bridge from Ethereum or another EVM chain

If you already hold USDC on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, or another EVM chain, bridging can be a good route.

The key requirement is simple:

• the route must end with USDC on Base

For most users, the safest approach is to use a bridge that explicitly shows:

• your source chain
• USDC as the input asset
• Base
• USDC as the destination asset

Examples of bridges with official Base documentation include:

• Across
• Stargate

Practical flow:

1. Connect the wallet that already holds your USDC
2. Select your source chain
3. Select USDC
4. Select Base as the destination
5. Confirm that the destination asset is still USDC
6. Bridge a small test amount first if you have not used that route before

What You Need Before You Mint

Before buying CYRUS, make sure you have:

1. A Base-compatible wallet
2. USDC on Base
3. A small amount of ETH on Base for gas

Base ETH for Gas

Do not forget this step.

You also need a small amount of ETH on Base for:

• wallet approvals
• the purchase transaction itself
• any later transfers or interactions

Even if you already have USDC on Base, the transaction will still fail without Base ETH for gas.

Common Mistakes

• buying USDC but withdrawing on the wrong network
• bridging into the wrong stablecoin
• arriving on Base without any ETH for gas
• sending a large amount before testing the route with a small amount

Why We Recommend the Simple Path

The goal here is not to use the most advanced route.

The goal is to arrive with:

• the correct asset
• on the correct chain
• in a wallet you control

That is why the docs recommend:

1. Coinbase first
2. wallet onramps second
3. bridges when you already hold assets on another chain

Next Step

Buy CYRUS