$USDC and $USDT are the leading stablecoins in the cryptocurrency market, both pegged to the US dollar to maintain a stable value of $1 per token. USDC, launched in 2018 by Centre—a collaboration between Circle and Coinbase—is known for its transparency, backed by fully audited reserves held in regulated US financial institutions. USDT, introduced in 2014 by Tether Limited, has broader adoption and higher trading volume but has faced scrutiny over its reserve disclosures. Traders often use these stablecoins to hedge against market volatility, ensure liquidity, and simplify cross-border transactions. USDC is favored for reliability, while USDT is preferred for accessibility on nearly all exchanges. Choosing between them depends on the user’s trust in transparency versus market presence.