> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/circlefin/evm-cctp-contracts/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> EVM-compatible smart contracts for Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP)

# EVM CCTP Contracts

The EVM CCTP Contracts repository contains the smart contract implementation of Circle's Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible blockchains.

## What is CCTP?

Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) is a permissionless on-chain utility that enables USDC to be transferred securely between blockchain networks. Unlike traditional bridge solutions that lock tokens, CCTP uses a **burn-and-mint** mechanism:

1. USDC is burned on the source chain
2. A signed attestation is generated by Circle
3. USDC is minted natively on the destination chain

This approach ensures that USDC remains fully backed and fungible across all supported chains.

## Key Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Native USDC Transfer" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left">
    Transfer USDC between chains using Circle's secure burn-and-mint mechanism
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multiple Chain Support" icon="network-wired">
    Deploy on any EVM-compatible blockchain with consistent contract addresses
  </Card>

  <Card title="Secure Attestation" icon="shield-check">
    Circle-signed attestations ensure only legitimate transfers are completed
  </Card>

  <Card title="Production Ready" icon="check-circle">
    Battle-tested contracts with comprehensive testing and security analysis
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Core Components

The CCTP implementation consists of three main contracts:

* **TokenMessenger**: Handles deposit requests and manages cross-chain USDC transfers
* **MessageTransmitter**: Sends and receives cross-chain messages with attestation verification
* **TokenMinter**: Burns USDC on the source chain and mints on the destination chain

## Use Cases

* **Cross-chain DeFi**: Enable users to move USDC between chains for optimal yields
* **Payment applications**: Facilitate fast, secure USDC transfers across networks
* **dApp integration**: Build multi-chain applications with native USDC support
* **Liquidity management**: Efficiently rebalance USDC across different chains

## Get Started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Execute your first cross-chain USDC transfer in minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Set up the development environment and install dependencies
  </Card>

  <Card title="Core Concepts" icon="book" href="/concepts/overview">
    Learn about CCTP architecture and how it works
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api/message-transmitter">
    Explore the contract API documentation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Contract Versions

The repository includes two versions:

* **V1**: Initial implementation with core CCTP functionality
* **V2**: Enhanced version with CREATE2 deployment, fees, hooks, and finality thresholds

Both versions are production-ready and deployed across multiple chains. Learn more about [Version 2 features](/v2/overview).