This move eliminates the need to acquire or convert tokens into the platform's native $XION currency, aiming to streamline the user experience
XION, a walletless Layer 1 blockchain designed from the ground up to ease Web3 onboarding, has announced a major update that allows users to pay transaction fees directly in USDC. This move eliminates the need for users to acquire or convert tokens into the platform’s native $XION currency, aiming to further streamline the user experience and reduce friction points in interacting with the platform.
The introduction of USDC gas fees is expected to significantly lower entry barriers for users who might be unfamiliar with the complexities of cryptocurrency transactions. Traditionally, engaging with blockchain networks has required users to first obtain the native token, often involving multiple steps such as setting up wallets, using exchanges, bridging assets, or even dealing with token wrapping. However, XION’s new feature allows users to easily pay gas using the stable and widely recognized USDC token, removing these administrative burdens.
Once a user initiates a transaction, the platform automatically handles all background operations, including converting USDC into $XION to settle the fees. This entire process remains invisible to the end user, preserving the seamlessness of the interaction. The automation not only supports the ecosystem by maintaining the usage of the $XION token behind the scenes but also spares users from having to understand or manage any blockchain infrastructure.
This new functionality builds upon XION’s existing focus on rendering blockchain technology virtually invisible to end users, aiming for an experience that feels more like traditional digital services than complex Web3 systems. The platform claims to have achieved a new-user conversion rate of 97%, in stark contrast to the industry average of just 5%. This performance metric is said to be achieved through the platform’s simplified onboarding process.
The platform’s founder, Anthony Anzalone, also known in the crypto space as Burnt Banksy, has frequently spoken about the challenges users face when trying to explore new Web3 applications. He has stated that the need to understand which token a blockchain uses, along with the steps required to buy, bridge, or wrap assets, deters a majority of potential users before they even begin. The recent update was presented as the final stage in removing these barriers and making Web3 feel as natural and approachable as any other online service.
The rollout of this feature also coincides with developments from Circle, the issuer of USDC, which recently moved toward an initial public offering. This alignment appears strategic, considering Circle’s status as a major investor in XION. The partnership not only brings credibility to the new functionality but also highlights a shared goal between the two companies: to improve the real-world usability of blockchain technology and bring it closer to a broader audience.
According to the platform, users can now easily buy, spend, or build using familiar assets like USDC, reducing the need for conversion and technical knowledge. The USDC gas fee feature is now live and available for immediate use across the entire XION ecosystem.
