By 2026, USD Coin (USDC) is expected to play an even more integrated role in the crypto-financial ecosystem. Here are two key events shaping its future:

1. Price stability: As a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, USDC is designed to maintain its value around $1. Most forecasts suggest that it will continue to do so in 2026, unless major regulatory or systemic failures occur.

2. Integration of futures trading:

Coinbase plans to allow the use of USDC as collateral for futures trading in 2026. This move is aimed at replacing traditional fiat currencies with stablecoins in the derivatives markets, signaling a broader shift towards crypto-native financial infrastructure.