Reading Your Net USDC Position: Earned Credit vs. Top-Up Balance on One Account
Understand how to distinguish contributed credit from top-up balance in your USDC account, and why this matters before withdrawal.
Why Two Sources of USDC Matter
On the aggregator, your USDC balance can grow in two ways: you top up with USDC on Base, or you earn credit by contributing API keys. Both increase your available balance, but they are tracked separately. Knowing which is which helps you plan withdrawals and understand your effective costs.
How the Two Balances Work
- Top-up balance: USDC you deposit directly. This is your own capital, available for API usage.
- Earned credit: USDC credited when your contributed keys are used by others. You receive official price × 1.1 (or × 1.2 for premium models) as credit.
When you make API calls, the cost is deducted from your total balance. The system may draw from one source first or proportionally, but the distinction remains for reporting and withdrawal.
Why the Distinction Matters Before Withdrawal
- Withdrawal eligibility: Earned credit may have different withdrawal rules than top-up balance. Check the policy before initiating a withdrawal.
- Tax and accounting: If you track API expenses, separating earned credit from topped-up funds gives clearer records.
- Cost analysis: Your net cost depends on how much you earned back. Knowing the earned portion helps you calculate your true effective rate.
How to View Your Balances
In your account dashboard, look for a breakdown section. You should see:
- Total USDC balance
- Top-up balance (deposits)
- Earned credit (from key contributions)
If the interface does not show this split, review your transaction history. Deposits are labeled as top-ups; credits are labeled as earnings.
Before You Withdraw
- Identify the earned credit portion. This is the amount you can potentially withdraw as profit.
- Confirm withdrawal rules for each balance type.
- Plan to keep enough top-up balance for future API usage if needed.
Remember: you pay official price × 1.3 for usage, and earn back official price × 1.1 (or × 1.2) on contributed keys. The difference is your effective cost, but only the earned credit is returned to you as USDC.