$USDC — stable from Circle, transparent and regulated. But not decentralized. $USDC — USD Coin from Circle and Coinbase

🔹 Pros:

Fully backed by the dollar (1:1)

Audited, transparent

Widely used in DeFi and CeFi

Support from Visa, BlackRock, Solana, and others.

🔹 Cons:

– Centralized: can freeze addresses

– Dependent on the US banking system

– Vulnerable to regulatory pressure (example: Silicon Valley Bank in 2023)

🔍 Where it is used:

DEX and DeFi protocols

Transfers in Telegram via TON

Bridges and cross-chain payments (Polygon, Arbitrum, Solana)

💡 Conclusion for the investor:

A reliable stablecoin for settlements and storage. But not for those who want complete decentralization.