Both are dollar stablecoins, but they differ on networks, reserves and reach. A practical comparison to help you decide which to accept — or whether to take both.
Stablecoins are the quiet workhorse of crypto payments: dollar value, no volatility, instant settlement. The two you will meet most are USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin). Here is how they compare for a merchant.
USDT is the most widely held and traded stablecoin in the world — if a customer holds any stablecoin, it is probably USDT. USDC is close behind and is popular with businesses that value its regulated, fully-reserved profile.
USDC is known for its regulated, transparent reserve reporting, which some businesses prefer. USDT is the incumbent with the deepest liquidity. Both hold a dollar peg that makes "one dollar in, one dollar settled" reliable.
The honest answer: accept both. There is no extra integration — the buyer simply picks their coin and network at checkout. Offering both maximises the chance a customer can pay with what they already hold, and you settle to a clean USD balance either way.
Want to see live values? Try the converter, then open an account to start accepting stablecoins.
Open a free CryptoPayr account and take your first crypto payment the same day.
Get started for free
Learn how marketplace split payments work, optimize transactions, and ensure timely payouts for vendors with this comprehensive builder's guide.
Learn how to accept stablecoin payments easily and quickly with hosted checkouts or integrated payment gateways in this U.S. guide.
Discover how U.S. merchants can leverage no-KYC payment gateways for seamless crypto transactions while balancing regulatory compliance.