$USDC (USD Coin) and USDT (Tether) are two of the most popular stablecoins in the cryptocurrency market, both pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. USDC is issued by Circle and is known for its transparency and regular audits, making it a trusted choice for regulated financial environments. USDT, issued by Tether, has a larger market cap and is widely used for trading across global exchanges, but has faced criticism over its reserve disclosures. While both serve the same core purpose—offering a stable digital currency for transactions and trading—USDC is often preferred for its compliance and regulatory clarity, whereas USDT is valued for its liquidity and wide adoption. Choosing between them depends on user priorities like trust, speed, and platform availability.