USDC vs USDT
USDC earns about 29.87% at the top end right now; USDT caps around 20.72%. The bigger choice is what each token is for — same family or same use case?
Stablecoin pegged to the US dollar — low volatility, yield-bearing in lending. Stablecoin pegged to the US dollar — low volatility, yield-bearing in lending.
Side-by-side
USDC and USDT — what each is and what they earn
| USDC | USDT | |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | Usdc | Usdt |
| Family | Usd | Usd |
| Type | Stable | Stable |
| Native staking APR | — | — |
| Market cap | $78 B | $190 B |
| Live pools | 2933 | 1045 |
| Best yield | 29.87% | 20.72% |
| Chains supported | 57 | 49 |
Top yield options
Top live pools — USDC vs USDT
USDC
Frequently asked
USDC vs USDT — common questions
Is USDC or USDT safer to hold yield on? +
Volatility differs first: stablecoins move ~0%, native coins move 30–80% a year, LSTs and wrapped tokens add small de-peg risk on top. For yield specifically, look at where each token earns — the chain and protocol matter more than the token itself.
Does USDC or USDT earn more? +
Right now USDC hits about 29.87% on its best live pool — but headline rate isn't the same as expected return. A 12% LP rate with 30% volatility is not better than 5% on a stablecoin.
Should I swap USDC for USDT to chase yield? +
Probably not just for yield — slippage, gas, and tax on the swap usually eat several months of the rate gap. Swapping makes sense when you're moving between different categories (e.g. native to LST) or you want a token you'll use for other things.
How do I choose between USDC and USDT? +
Start with what you already hold and what you understand. If both are unfamiliar, pick the one with a clearer use case to you — a coin you'll spend or stake long-term beats a higher rate on a token you can't explain.