Becoming a Circles Backer is a way to strengthen your participation in the Circles ecosystem by connecting your gCRC to a reserve of stable assets. This process demonstrates commitment to the values and long-term sustainability of the protocol while unlocking additional functionality within the Gnosis ecosystem.
When you become a backer, part of your personal gCRC is paired with reserve assets such as USDC and contributed to the Circles (gCRC) Reserve. This backing mechanism helps create stronger economic trust within the network and enables enhanced capabilities for your account.
⚠️ Important — changes to backer benefits
Two benefits previously included with backing are no longer available:
Cashback on card spending. Becoming a backer no longer earns card rewards. Backers who were already earning continue until the final distribution on 1 September 2026, when the cashback programme ends for everyone.
The G. Backing no longer makes you eligible for a G, and no new G will be issued from 1 September 2026. Anyone who already holds one keeps it.
The other benefits of backing are unchanged: the Backer badge, gCRC swapping, access to the backer group, and your contribution to the Circles Reserve.
If you became a backer recently and this affects the commitment you made, please start a conversation with support from inside the Gnosis App and we'll work it out with you.
🌟 What are the benefits of becoming a Backer?
Once you become a direct Circles Backer, you receive:
A visible Backer badge on your profile in Gnosis
Access to gCRC token swapping functionality
Access to the Gnosis backer group for expanded trust opportunities
A permanent contribution to the Circles Reserve, creating lasting liquidity for your personal Circles
Backers are highlighted within the ecosystem to indicate verified participation and alignment with the Circles protocol.
No longer included: cashback on card spending, and eligibility for the G.
🏁 Requirements to become a direct Backer
To qualify as a direct Circles Backer, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Be trusted by 3 existing Circles users
Before becoming a backer, your profile must receive trust connections from at least three existing Circles users.
2. Hold and deposit your personal gCRC and eligible assets
You must hold and contribute:
48 of your personally issued CRC (they cannot be sourced from a connection)
$100 worth of supported reserve assets
Supported reserve assets include: USDC, EURe, GNO, xDAI.
These assets are contributed to the Circles Reserve as part of the backing process, creating permanent liquidity for your personal Circles and ensuring the stability and functionality of the system.
❓ How to become a Backer
Once you meet the trust requirements, you can become a backer directly from your profile.
Steps
Open your Gnosis App profile
Navigate to the Rep Score section
Click the "Become a Backer" button
Deposit in the recipient address:
48 of your own CRC
$100 worth of the supported reserve assets
After the transaction is completed successfully, your profile will receive the Circles Backer status and associated benefits.
Important: your backing deposit transaction is non-refundable. It cannot be claimed back in the future.
Example scenario
Imagine Alice has been actively using Circles and wants to unlock token swapping features in Gnosis.
To become a direct backer, Alice:
Receives trust from three existing Circles users
Holds at least 48 of her personally issued gCRC
Deposits 48 CRC and $100 worth of USDC into the reserve
Once completed, Alice:
Receives the "Backer" badge
Gains access to swapping features
Joins the Gnosis backer group
❗ Important notes
You must use your own minted gCRC when becoming a direct backer.
Trust relationships are required before the backer option becomes available.
The "Become a Backer" button can be found in the Trust Score section of your Gnosis App profile.
The concept of indirect backer does not exist anymore. You're either a backer or not.
Backing no longer includes card rewards. The cashback programme ends for everyone on 1 September 2026.
Questions
If I become a backer now, do I earn cashback? No. Backing no longer earns card rewards, and the cashback programme ends for everyone on 1 September 2026.
I backed before the change — do I keep earning? Yes, until the final distribution on 1 September 2026.
Do I still get the G if I become a backer now? No. Backing no longer makes you eligible, and no new G will be issued from 1 September 2026.
I became a backer for the cashback. What now? Please get in touch. Start a conversation with support from inside the Gnosis App and tell us you're a backer and when you backed. If these changes affect the commitment you made, we'll try to make it right.
Is my existing backer contribution affected? No. Your contribution to the Circles Reserve stays as it is, and the badge, swapping access, and backer group access all continue.
Is it still worth becoming a backer? Backing is now about the Circles Reserve, the trust it signals, and the access it gives you — not about card rewards. If you were backing mainly for cashback, please talk to us before you decide.