USDC vs USDT (Tether): what is the difference?
Both are US dollar stablecoins. USDC is issued by Circle and redeemable 1:1 through Circle; USDT is issued by Tether and redeemable by Tether's verified customers. They differ in issuer, reserves reporting and the chains where most supply sits.
| USDC | USDT (Tether) | |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | USDC is a US dollar stablecoin issued by Circle, backed by cash and cash-equivalent reserves and redeemable 1:1 for dollars through Circle. It runs on many blockchains, with Ethereum holding the largest share. | USDT is a US dollar stablecoin issued by Tether, backed by reserves and redeemable for dollars by Tether's verified customers. It is the largest stablecoin by circulation, with most of its supply on Tron and Ethereum. |
| Read more | USDC | USDT (Tether) |
How they work together
Payment companies often hold both, on different chains, with different ramps. Each balance belongs in the same position as fiat.
Where Polynopsis fits
Polynopsis reads USDC balances in wallets through their public addresses, read-only, alongside fiat balances at banks and payout partners.
Polynopsis reads USDT balances in wallets through their public addresses, read-only, alongside fiat balances at banks and payout partners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between USDC and usdt (tether)?
Both are US dollar stablecoins. USDC is issued by Circle and redeemable 1:1 through Circle; USDT is issued by Tether and redeemable by Tether's verified customers. They differ in issuer, reserves reporting and the chains where most supply sits.
What is USDC?
USDC is a US dollar stablecoin issued by Circle, backed by cash and cash-equivalent reserves and redeemable 1:1 for dollars through Circle. It runs on many blockchains, with Ethereum holding the largest share.
What is USDT (Tether)?
USDT is a US dollar stablecoin issued by Tether, backed by reserves and redeemable for dollars by Tether's verified customers. It is the largest stablecoin by circulation, with most of its supply on Tron and Ethereum.
Sources
- USDC Terms · Circle
- USDC and EURC transparency · Circle
- Circle stablecoin supply API (USDC and EURC by chain) · Circle
- Blockchain confirmations (Circle Mint) · Circle
- Relevant Information Document, Tether International, S.A. de C.V. · Tether
- Tether transparency data (USDT supply by chain) · Tether
- Fees · Tether
- Consensus · TRON Developer Hub
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) · EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union
Know where all your money is.
Polynopsis gives cross-border payment teams one live position across every bank, payout partner, exchange and wallet, including money in flight, and warns before a corridor runs dry.
About Polynopsis
Polynopsis is liquidity management software for cross-border payment companies. The name joins poly, many, and synopsis, a seeing together: one live view of money spread across many banks, payout partners, exchanges and stablecoin wallets, including money in flight, with a warning before any corridor runs dry.
Why it is called Polynopsis · About Polynopsis · Glossary · Corridor runway calculator