Is USDC on Base the same as USDC on Ethereum?

It is the same dollar-pegged asset issued by Circle, deployed on each network. The value is equivalent; the difference is the network's fees and speed, not the token's worth.

Which network has the lowest fees for buyers?

Layer 2s like Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon have gas costs measured in cents, far below Ethereum mainnet. For everyday payments, an L2 is almost always the better buyer experience.

Can I add a network later?

Yes. You can change which token-and-network combinations you accept at any time, and any additional EVM chain can be enabled on request.

Which EVM network should you accept payments on? Base, Polygon, Arbitrum, and more

For most merchants the best networks to accept stablecoin payments on are the low-fee, fast-finality Layer 2s, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon, with Ethereum mainnet as an option for buyers who prefer it. You do not have to choose one: InfraIO Pay lets you accept several, and the buyer picks from the networks you allow.

Why does the network matter for payments?

The network sets the buyer's gas cost and how fast the payment finalises. Paying a $20 invoice is painful if network fees are several dollars, so for everyday payments you want a chain where gas is cents, not dollars. That is exactly what Ethereum Layer 2s were built for, ethereum.org's Layer 2 overview explains the model.

USDC and USDT are the same dollar wherever they settle, so the choice is about fees, speed, and where your buyers already hold funds.

How do the main networks compare?

All of these are EVM chains, so the integration is identical; they differ mainly in fees and ecosystem.

Base, very low fees, fast, growing consumer adoption. A strong default for new merchants.
Arbitrum & Optimism, mature L2s with deep stablecoin liquidity and low fees.
Polygon, long-established, cheap, widely supported by wallets and tooling.
Ethereum mainnet, highest fees, but some buyers and treasuries prefer to settle there.

How do you compare networks objectively?

Fees and activity shift over time, so check current data rather than rules of thumb. L2BEAT tracks the value secured and activity across Layer 2s, which is a useful proxy for liquidity and maturity when you decide which chains to enable.

Do you have to pick just one?

No. The pragmatic answer is to accept a small set, say Base plus one or two other L2s, and let the buyer choose. With InfraIO Pay you select the token-and-network combinations you accept, the buyer only sees those, and any other EVM chain can be added on request. That keeps checkout simple for buyers while covering where your audience actually holds funds.

Which EVM network should you accept payments on? Base, Polygon, Arbitrum, and more

Why does the network matter for payments?

How do the main networks compare?

How do you compare networks objectively?

Do you have to pick just one?

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