$USDC
USD Coin (USDC), launched in 2018 by the Centre consortium (Circle and Coinbase), quickly became the leading stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (1:1) and backed by reserves in traditional assets. This approach, supported by regular audits, ensured transparency and trust. USDC gained widespread adoption in DeFi for trading, lending, and payments due to its stability. Despite brief deviations from the peg during market turmoil, its commitment to regulation has contributed to its growth and acceptance by both retail and institutional investors. USDC has established itself as a reliable and important asset in the crypto ecosystem.