Tether vs USD Coin
Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) side by side: what each is for, how each network works, and the live numbers. Neutral, no ranking, no advice.
At a glance
| Tether | USD Coin | |
|---|---|---|
| Ticker | USDT | USDC |
| Launched | 2014 | 2018 |
| How it runs | Token on several chains | Token on several chains |
| What it is | A US-dollar stablecoin issued by Tether, meant to stay at 1 dollar and backed by reserves the issuer holds. | A US-dollar stablecoin issued by Circle, meant to stay at 1 dollar and backed by cash and short-term US government debt. |
Live comparison
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The last 12 months, both starting at 100
Each line starts at 100 on the same day, so you can see which moved more, up or down, regardless of the price per coin.
Loading the 12-month history…
Past performance says nothing about future returns.
How to read this comparison
Size: compare market cap, not the price of one coin. A coin at $0.10 can be worth more in total than one at $100, if far more units exist.
Supply: a maximum supply means no new coins beyond a fixed number; "no fixed cap" means new coins keep being created, which spreads the value over more units over time.
Risk: both can move fast. Smaller coins usually swing harder, which is what volatility measures. A big move in the chart is history, not a forecast.
Terms on this page
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Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Tether and USD Coin?
Tether: A US-dollar stablecoin issued by Tether, meant to stay at 1 dollar and backed by reserves the issuer holds. USD Coin: A US-dollar stablecoin issued by Circle, meant to stay at 1 dollar and backed by cash and short-term US government debt.
Which is bigger, Tether or USD Coin?
Compare market capitalisation, not the price of one coin: market cap is the price multiplied by the circulating supply. The live table on this page shows both market caps and their current rank; the ratio changes every day.
Is Tether or USD Coin a better investment?
That depends on what you need, and this page does not rank them. The two differ in purpose, design and risk, and both can lose a large part of their value. Past performance, including the chart above, does not predict future returns. This is not investment advice.
Coin pages: Tether · USD Coin. Market data: CoinGecko. Educational information only — not investment, legal, tax or financial advice.