> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.helioscard.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.helioscard.xyz/getting-started/what-is-helios.md).

# What is Helios?

Helios is an app for holding stablecoins, borrowing against your assets, and spending with a card — all from one account.

## What you can do

* **Hold stablecoins.** Keep a USDC balance in a wallet that belongs to you.
* **Move funds on-chain.** Bring funds in, send and receive, and withdraw.
* **Open a credit line.** Borrow against the assets you hold instead of selling them.
* **Spend with the Helios card.** Fund a card from your balance and use it anywhere cards are accepted.

## How it's different

Your wallet is **self-custodial** — it is secured by a passkey on your device, not by a password Helios stores. You stay in control of your funds, while Helios handles the on-chain mechanics behind the scenes so the experience feels like a normal finance app.

{% hint style="info" %}
Helios is currently **invite-only**. You'll need an invite link to create an account. See [Create your account](/getting-started/create-your-account.md).
{% endhint %}

## Key terms

| Term            | What it means                                                                                       |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **USDC**        | A US-dollar stablecoin. Your main spendable balance.                                                |
| **USDCx**       | The version of USDC used on the Canton Network. See [USDC vs USDCx](/your-wallet/usdc-vs-usdcx.md). |
| **Credit line** | How much you're allowed to borrow against your assets.                                              |
| **Collateral**  | The assets backing what you've borrowed.                                                            |
| **Passkey**     | A secure key on your device used to sign in and approve actions.                                    |

## Next steps

{% content-ref url="/pages/YG02U8n4rSRUQ6eebQNX" %}
[Create your account](/getting-started/create-your-account.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.helioscard.xyz/getting-started/what-is-helios.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.