$USDC the second-largest stablecoin by market capitalization, is consistently making headlines for its increasing integration into traditional finance and broader crypto utility. A significant recent development is **Coinbase Derivatives' pursuit of approval to use USDC as collateral in regulated futures markets**. If approved by the CFTC, this would mark a landmark shift, making USDC the first stablecoin formally accepted as collateral in the US derivatives market and positioning it as a trusted "cash equivalent."