USDC and USDT are pegged to the US dollar, making them the most prominent stablecoins in the market.
Stablecoins are becoming increasingly popular for transactions and as a store of value.
However, both stablecoins have their advantages and disadvantages, and deciding on the right stablecoin to hold or transact in can be challenging.
For instance, USDC is known for its regulatory compliance and transparency. Meanwhile, despite its controversies, USDT has maintained its status as the most widely adopted stablecoin and has a longer market presence.
In this guide, we will highlight the key differences between the two stablecoins, Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), to help you make the right choice. Let’s go!
What are Stablecoins?
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose value is backed by an external asset.
Holding reserve assets as collateral or regulating supply with algorithms makes stablecoins less volatile than other cryptocurrencies and a much better medium of exchange.
Stablecoins like USDT and USDC tie their value to the US dollar. Together, Tether USD and USD Coin’s market cap accounts for 86% of the stablecoin market.
What is USDC?
USDC or USD Coin is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, meaning that 1 unit of USDC is typically equal to $1. Launched in 2018 by Circle and Coinbase, USDC has a market cap of $34.45 billion.
During 2022-2023, USDC encountered challenges when Circle revealed that approximately $3 billion of the reserves backing USDC were held at the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank.
Despite these setbacks, USDC has since recovered and has emerged as the fastest-growing stablecoin by adoption.
What is USDT?
USDT or Tether USD is a stablecoin backed by fiat reserves and designed to maintain a 1:1 value with the US dollar. It was launched in 2014 by Tether Limited, making it the first stablecoin to enter the market.
Presently, Tether USD holds an estimated market capitalization of $120.14 billion and commands approximately 75% of the stablecoin market share.
Despite ongoing debates regarding the transparency of its reserves, Tether continues to enjoy its first-mover advantage and remains the most widely adopted stablecoin for trading and transactions.
Key Differences between USDC and USDT
Although USDC and USDT are cryptocurrencies pegged to the US dollar, they differ in several ways, including their blockchain compatibility, commitment to transparency, and collateral management.
We have highlighted some of the most prominent differences in the table below:
| Feature | USDC | USDT |
| Issuer | Circle and Coinbase | Tether Limited |
| Longevity | Launched in 2018 | Launched in 2014 |
| Blockchain Compatibility | Built on Ethereum, Solana, Algorand, more | Supports multiple blockchains like Ethereum, Tron, and more |
| Transparency | Audited regularly, with reports published | Less transparent, limited public audits |
| Collateral | Fully backed by cash and U.S. Treasury bonds | Partially backed by cash, commercial paper, and other assets |
| Use Cases | Preferred for institutional use, and crypto trading | Popular for trading and liquidity in crypto markets |
| Market Cap | Lower market cap compared to USDT | Largest market cap among stablecoins |
| Adoption | Widely used by institutional investors | Widely adopted across crypto exchanges and platforms |
| Regulatory Status | More aligned with U.S. regulations | Has faced regulatory scrutiny and fines |
| Transaction Fees | Fees depend on the blockchain used (e.g., Ethereum has higher fees) | Fees depend on the blockchain used, but tends to be lower on Tron network |
Pros and Cons of USDC
USDC is famous for its regulatory compliance and is trusted by institutions, but it is not without its drawbacks. Here’s a more detailed look at the pros and cons of USDC.
Pros
- Transparency: USDC is known for being more transparent when providing monthly disclosures of its reserves than other stablecoins.
- Regulatory Compliance: USDC’s reserves are held by regulated financial institutions. This makes it a preferred choice among institutions and remittance providers.
- Transaction Volume: USDC has the highest transaction volume, especially in the United States, despite its lower market cap.
- Growth: USDC is one of the fastest-growing stablecoins, and this trend is expected to continue.
- Wide DeFI Use: USDC is widely used in DeFI protocols. This further establishes it in the world of decentralized finance.
Cons
- Single point of failure: While USDC’s reliance on regulated financial institutions makes it safer, it also introduces a dependency risk. For instance, in 2023, USDC briefly lost its 1:1 peg with the US dollar after Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which held a portion of its reserves, collapsed.
- Centralized Control: USDC’s centralized control by Circle and Coinbase makes it susceptible to censorship and asset freezes, which can limit user freedom and privacy
Pros and Cons of USDT
USDT has the largest market cap among stable coins and is widely adopted across crypto exchanges like Binance. However, it has been criticized in the past for lack of transparency and regulatory compliance. Let’s examine the pros and cons in more detail:
Pros
- Dominant Market Position: USDT is the largest stablecoin in terms of market capitalization. This may primarily be because it is the first stablecoin to enter the market.
- Wide Adoption: USDT is the most widely adopted fiat-based cryptocurrency. Many businesses and individuals rely on it for lending and remittance.
- Liquidity: Tether USD’s domination of the market translates to high liquidity. This allows investors and traders to buy and sell without losing much value.
- Trusted by a Majority: Despite the controversies surrounding Tether USD, it remains the most traded cryptocurrency in the world and has the trust of 330 million users.
Cons
- Tether USD has been criticized for its lack of transparency regarding its reserves. Since 2021, Tether has published monthly attestation reports managed by BDO Italia.
Which Should You Use?
USDC and USDT are both safe stablecoins for individuals and businesses. The choice between them depends on your specific needs.
Institutional investors favor USDC due to its strict regulatory compliance and security. In contrast, traders often prefer USDT because of its high liquidity and ease of conversion across various exchanges.
Additionally, most users in the United States lean towards USDC for transactions. At the same time, individuals outside the United States tend to use USDT as a store of value for the US dollar.
If you’re looking for an alternative way to save US dollars without the restrictions of traditional banking, USDT may be the right choice for you.
Where Can I Buy USDC and USDT
You can buy USDC and USDT on cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, Mular, and Gemini. Generally, you can’t buy crypto directly on your bank app or ATM.
How to Buy USDT
With Mular, you can easily buy USDT, save it securely in your wallet or spend it directly as naira. You can pay bills, buy groceries or pay for car rides directly from your wallet.
Moreover, you can also swap between cryptocurrencies without P2P risks. Here’s how to buy USDT:
- Download the Mular App and create an account.
- Complete your KYC verification.
- Tap the fund button on your dashboard and fund your account with a bank transfer.
- Select “Swap” on your dashboard and input the naira amount you want to exchange for USDT.
- Your naira will be exchanged for USDT at the best market rates, and your new USDT balance will be displayed on your dashboard.
How to transfer USDT to your bank account
Here’s how to spend your crypto as naira or transfer it to your bank account:
- Log in to your Mular account and select “send” on your dashboard.
- Choose to send to your account or send to other accounts.
- Type in the amount of USDT you want to send and it will be converted automatically.
- Input the recipient account details
Voila! Your transaction is complete.
Conclusion
USDC and USDT are both stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. However, they both have their pros and cons. Investors prefer USDC because of its security, and traders prefer USDT because of its high liquidity. Knowing which is suitable for you depends on your specific needs.