USDC vs USDT: What You Need to Know

Two Stablecoins, One Dollar

USDC and USDT are both stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. Each token is designed to be worth exactly $1. But the similarities largely end there.

USDC: The Regulated Option

USDC is issued by Circle and is known for:

• Full reserves: Backed by cash and short-term US treasuries
• Monthly attestations: Regular third-party audits of reserves
• Regulatory compliance: Operates under US money transmission laws
• Growing adoption: Widely used on Base and other L2s

USDT: The Market Leader

USDT is issued by Tether and is known for:

• Largest market cap: The most widely used stablecoin globally
• Deep liquidity: Available on virtually every exchange and chain
• Longer track record: Operating since 2014
• Broad acceptance: The default stablecoin in many markets

Which Should You Use?

For offramping with Minisend, both work equally well. We accept USDC and USDT on all four supported chains. The rate you receive is the same regardless of which stablecoin you send.

If you have a choice, here are some considerations:

• If you're on Base: USDC is the native stablecoin and has the deepest liquidity
• If you're on Celo: Both are well-supported
• If you're on Polygon: USDT has historically had more liquidity
• If you're on Lisk: USDC is the primary stablecoin

The Bottom Line

Don't overthink it. Whichever stablecoin you have, Minisend converts it to local currency at competitive rates. The best stablecoin is the one already in your wallet.