As crypto continues to soar in popularity, the market is seeing an increase in stablecoins— crypto pegged to a stable asset such as the US dollar. Two of the most prominent stablecoins in the market are USDC (US Dollar Coin) and USDT (US Dollar Tether). While they may seem similar at first glance, key differences between the two could impact their value and usefulness to investors. In this article, we will explore USDC vs. USDT and analyze both to help you determine which one might be the better choice for your investment needs. Let’s dig in.
A snapshot of USDT vs. USDC
| USDT | USDC | |
| Launch Year | 2014 | 2018 |
| Founder | Tether | Circle |
| Target Price | ₹87 (approx) | ₹87 (approx) |
| Total Market Value | ₹6,700 crores | ₹3,028 crores |
| Regulation | No formal regulation | Regulated by US financial authorities |
Data as of February 2023
What is USDC?
USDC stands for USD Coin, a type of stablecoin, a crypto designed to maintain a stable value relative to a particular asset or currency. One can use it for a variety of purposes, including peer-to-peer payments, remittances, trading on crypto exchanges, and more. Major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Visa, and Bitmain back the coin.
USDC volume
The volume of USDC refers to the total number of tokens in circulation in a given period of time. The higher the volume, the more liquidity and ease of trading it offers. The trade volume of USDC, the amount of the coin traded on exchanges in a given period, is a measure of its market activity. A higher trade volume indicates more demand and liquidity, allowing faster and more reliable trades. At the time of writing, the trade volume is estimated to be around ₹500 crores. This indicates a growing interest and adoption of the stablecoin among traders and investors in the crypto market.
USDC stability
A combination of collateralization, transparency, and regulatory compliance ensures the stability of USDC. USDC reserves are regularly audited to ensure that a corresponding US dollar is held in reserve for every token in circulation to back it up. USDC also adheres to regulatory standards such as the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations. The oversight brings additional stability and transparency to its ecosystem.
What is USDT?
USDT, or Tether, is a stablecoin first launched in 2014 to provide a stable alternative to traditional cryptos such as Bitcoin, whose value can be highly volatile. The value of USDT is pegged to the US dollar, with each token representing one US dollar. It is one of the most popular stablecoins in the crypto market, and you can use it for trading and as a store of value.
USDT volume
USDT has a significantly higher trade volume than its competitors, thanks to its comparatively high adoption rate. Its trade volume is over ₹6,000 crore.
USDT stability
Regarding stability, USDT is at a disadvantage as there have been concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of Tether Limited’s reserve holdings despite its claims that each of its tokens is backed by one US dollar held in reserve.
USDC vs. USDT
USDC and USDT are two popular stablecoins in the crypto market. While both aim to maintain a stable value of $1, they differ in their underlying technologies, management, and level of transparency. Understanding the differences can help investors and traders make informed decisions when dealing with these stablecoins.
The blockchain behind USDC and USDT
USDC is an ERC-20 token built on the Ethereum blockchain that supports a wide range of decentralized applications. USDT was created on the Bitcoin blockchain but now runs on other blockchains such as Ethereum, Tron, Omni, and Solana.
USD savings inspection
USD savings inspection refers to examining USDC or USDT savings. You can do so by checking the current value of USDC and USDT for their respective worth in USD and monitoring market trends that can impact the value of these stablecoins.
Founders of USDC and USDT
Circle, a Boston-based financial technology firm, in partnership with Coinbase, launched USDC in 2018.
USDT was founded in 2014 by a group of entrepreneurs, including Brock Pierce, Reeve Collins, and Craig Sellars. The company behind it, Tether Limited, has close links with the crypto exchange Bitfinex.
Using DeFi for lending
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms allow users to lend or borrow crypto, including USDC and USDT and earn interest on their holdings. Aave, Compound, dYdX, and Nexo are popular platforms for lending USDC and USDT. USDC is the most used stablecoin in DeFi.
Crypto pairs
Crypto pairs refer to the trading pairs used on crypto exchanges to trade one crypto for another. A trading pair of BTC/USDC means that Bitcoin can be traded for USDT or vice versa. The first currency listed in a trading pair is the base currency, while the second currency is the quote currency. BTC (Bitcoin), ETH (Ethereum), and ADA (Cardano) are common crypto pairs used with USDC or USDT.
Liquidity
Liquidity is the number of coins available for trading at the set price, which is ₹84 for USDC and USDT. As of February 2023, the daily trading volume of USDC is over ₹8,000 crores, and USDT has a larger trading volume of ₹3,500 crores.
Earn Interest
DeFi platforms like Aave, Compound, Curve, or other centralized crypto exchange platforms like Nexo or BlockFi offer lending or staking services for stablecoins. These platforms allow users to earn interest by lending their stablecoins to other users who want to borrow them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both USDC and USDT provide stability in the volatile crypto market. However, there are key differences that investors and traders need to consider before making a choice. USDC’s transparency, regulatory compliance, and backing from major financial institutions make it a more reliable and stable option. On the other hand, USDT’s higher trade volume and availability on multiple blockchains make it a more accessible option. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to individual investment needs and preferences. However, as the crypto market evolves, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments and trends to make informed decisions.
FAQs
Which stablecoin is superior for crypto transactions?
ether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) were popular stablecoins for crypto transactions due to their liquidity and widespread acceptance.
Is USDC the same as USDT?
USDC and USDT are both stablecoins, but they are not the same. They have different issuers, backing, token standards, and market adoption. Both have similar use cases and have wide uses in the crypto ecosystem. However, they differ in safety, reliability, and acceptance.
Which blockchain does USDT use?
USDT is a stablecoin. Several blockchains, including Ethereum, Tron, Omni, and Solana issue it. By issuing on different blockchains, Tether aims to make the stablecoin available to a broader range of applications and platforms to provide more flexibility and accessibility for users.
Is USDT backed by USD?
Tether claims that its auditors audit its reserves regularly and that the amount of USDT in circulation is always fully backed by an equivalent amount of US dollars or other assets. However, there has been some controversy and skepticism surrounding Tether’s claims of full reserve backing. No government or financial authority regulates Tether.
Which is safer, USDC or USDT?
Independent third-party firms regularly audit USDC’s reserves and the company has been transparent about its banking relationships and reserve holdings. The US government regulates it through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
USDT’s reserves are not subject to independent audits or regulatory oversight, which has led to concerns about the stability and reliability of its peg to the US dollar. Thus, you may consider USDC a safer option due to its transparency, regulation, and independent audits.
