USDT vs USDC: which stablecoin should Kenyans use?
USDT and USDC are both dollar stablecoins. Learn the differences in liquidity, networks, and use, and which suits you.
Beginner 4 min readUpdated 6/18/2026
USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin) are both stablecoins: each one is designed to track one US dollar. For most Kenyans, both are a simple way to hold dollar value without a dollar bank account.
What they have in common
- Both aim to stay at one US dollar.
- Both can be bought with M-Pesa in KES on Coinwaka.
- Both are useful for saving, trading, P2P, and sending value.
Where they differ
- Liquidity. USDT has the deepest liquidity and the most trading pairs, so it is the default for most P2P and trading.
- Networks. Both exist on several networks. USDT is available on the most networks, including TRON (TRC20), which usually has the lowest withdrawal fees.
- Transparency. USDC is known for its regular reserve reporting.
Which should you use?
- Choose USDT if you want the widest acceptance for P2P and trading.
- Choose USDC if reserve transparency matters most to you.
Either way, remember a stablecoin is not a bank deposit. It aims to hold a dollar value, but no asset is risk free.
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This article is educational and is not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and trading involves risk.