Still Trusting USDT in 2025? Curious What Everyone’s Using

Silent Symphony

Silent Symphony

Well-known member
Tether’s still the most used stablecoin on Earth — especially in Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia. But there’s always this cloud over it:
  • Limited transparency compared to USDC
  • Massive issuance in offshore exchanges
  • Yet it survives every FUD cycle and keeps leading in volume
So my question:

Is USDT’s dominance due to trust… or just habit?

I’m using more USDC and crvUSD now, but I’ll admit, USDT pairs are still everywhere. 🤷

What’s your go-to stablecoin in 2025 — and why?
Would love to hear if anyone here actively avoids Tether or still sees it as essential.
 
Tether (USDT) definitely has a stronghold in the market, mainly due to its widespread usage and liquidity, even if there are some transparency concerns. It’s more about habit and convenience for many traders. USDC and crvUSD are growing alternatives, but USDT’s dominance is hard to ignore, especially with its presence on so many platforms. In 2025, I’m leaning more toward USDC for its transparency and regulatory alignment, but USDT still seems essential for many transactions. Curious to hear what others are using!
 
USDT's dominance is definitely more about habit than trust at this point. While it’s widely used, the lack of transparency and reliance on offshore exchanges are red flags for me. I’d be cautious relying too heavily on Tether given its history with FUD cycles. I’m personally leaning more toward USDC and crvUSD in 2025 for the added transparency and regulatory clarity. Tether might be essential for certain pairs, but I’d avoid it where possible.
 
USDT definitely has the advantage of being everywhere, but I think a lot of it is just habit. It’s convenient and has the liquidity, even with the transparency concerns. I’ve been using more USDC and crvUSD too — they feel more reliable, but USDT is still essential in a lot of cases. I’d say it’s about finding the right balance!
 
USDT built its dominance early on when options were limited, and once liquidity pools, exchanges, and OTC desks got comfortable with it, that inertia became hard to break.


That said, I’m optimistic about where the stablecoin space is headed. USDC’s transparency and regulatory alignment make it a strong contender, and crvUSD bringing decentralized, over-collateralized options into the mix is a huge win for DeFi. I’ve been leaning into those two more this year as well.


But I don’t outright avoid Tether. It still feels essential in many markets, especially where capital controls or limited access to banking make USDT the de facto choice. What excites me is that we’re finally seeing serious alternatives rise without the drama more choice, better tech, and hopefully less FUD for everyone.
 
Tether's dominance isn't about trust it's about sheer inertia and convenience. People have been using USDT for so long that it’s ingrained in the system, even though the transparency issues and offshore issuance should make anyone cautious. The fact that it's still the go-to stablecoin despite all the FUD speaks volumes about how much people prioritize liquidity and trading pairs over underlying stability.


Let’s be honest, USDT is everywhere because it’s easy, it's always there, and it works for the masses who need quick, cheap, and fast transactions. But don’t kid yourself into thinking it’s the best stablecoin it's just the most convenient.
 
I think it’s definitely a mix of both trust AND habit. For so long, USDT has been the stablecoin for liquidity, and it’s just become ingrained in the market. It’s like a default for traders the go-to option for most pairings. But at the same time, I can totally see why it’s a bit of a trust issue with its lack of transparency and offshore issuance.


For me, I’ve been leaning more towards USDC and crvUSD recently too especially with USDC's more transparent reserves. But man, you’re right, USDT pairs are everywhere! It’s like no matter how much you try to diversify, you always come back to Tether because of that crazy level of availability.
 
Solid question, and honestly I think it’s a mix of inertia and infrastructure advantage more than trust. USDT built deep liquidity pools across CEXs and OTC desks in emerging markets early, where regulatory oversight is lighter and capital controls are tight. In places like Africa and LATAM, access > transparency.


USDC’s tighter compliance makes it the preferred choice in regulated markets, but USDT thrives where speed, availability, and on/off ramp flexibility matter more than audits. Every FUD cycle dents sentiment but doesn’t disrupt functionality and in crypto, utility tends to outweigh narrative.
 
In places like Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia, access to banking rails is often limited, and USDT has become a functional dollar proxy — not because it’s the most transparent, but because it’s the most available, liquid, and widely accepted. Even during waves of FUD, there’s rarely a viable alternative with equivalent market penetration and infrastructure support in those regions.


I’m personally leaning more into USDC for regulated environments and protocols prioritizing compliance, and experimenting with crvUSD for DeFi-native use cases. But when it comes to trading pairs and liquidity routing, USDT still dictates market structure.


At this point, I’d argue USDT’s dominance is sustained more by inertia and utility than active trust — a kind of crypto-dollar habit the market hasn’t yet broken. Until a credible, decentralized, and liquid alternative can replace it on the same scale across both CEXs and P2P markets, it’ll probably keep its top spot.
 
But I feel you on USDC and crvUSD, they’re looking solid, especially with the transparency factor. I’m personally leaning more toward USDC these days for the peace of mind, but I still find myself using USDT when I’m just hopping around exchanges. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of stablecoins convenient, always there, and reliable enough for most situations.


In 2025 I’m all about balance. USDT’s dominance is more like habit, but let’s be real, it’s hard to avoid it when it’s the backbone of so many pairs. Do I actively avoid it? Not exactly, but I’m more selective with when I use it these days. It's all about finding the right tool for the job.
 
Silent Symphony said:
Tether’s still the most used stablecoin on Earth — especially in Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia. But there’s always this cloud over it:
  • Limited transparency compared to USDC
  • Massive issuance in offshore exchanges
  • Yet it survives every FUD cycle and keeps leading in volume
So my question:

Is USDT’s dominance due to trust… or just habit?

I’m using more USDC and crvUSD now, but I’ll admit, USDT pairs are still everywhere. 🤷

What’s your go-to stablecoin in 2025 — and why?
Would love to hear if anyone here actively avoids Tether or still sees it as essential.
Click to expand...
USDT’s like that sketchy-but-reliable cousin — you don’t fully trust ’em, but they always show up with cash. I flirt with USDC and crvUSD, but let’s be real… Tether still runs the block!
 
Silent Symphony said:
Tether’s still the most used stablecoin on Earth — especially in Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia. But there’s always this cloud over it:
  • Limited transparency compared to USDC
  • Massive issuance in offshore exchanges
  • Yet it survives every FUD cycle and keeps leading in volume
So my question:

Is USDT’s dominance due to trust… or just habit?

I’m using more USDC and crvUSD now, but I’ll admit, USDT pairs are still everywhere. 🤷

What’s your go-to stablecoin in 2025 — and why?
Would love to hear if anyone here actively avoids Tether or still sees it as essential.
Click to expand...
USDT’s dominance feels more like inertia than trust — volume thrives, but questions still stick.
I lean USDC for transparency, but Tether’s reach in emerging markets is hard to ignore.
Are you seeing more liquidity shift to decentralized stables like crvUSD or still mostly CeFi pairs?
 
Silent Symphony said:
Tether’s still the most used stablecoin on Earth — especially in Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia. But there’s always this cloud over it:
  • Limited transparency compared to USDC
  • Massive issuance in offshore exchanges
  • Yet it survives every FUD cycle and keeps leading in volume
So my question:

Is USDT’s dominance due to trust… or just habit?

I’m using more USDC and crvUSD now, but I’ll admit, USDT pairs are still everywhere. 🤷

What’s your go-to stablecoin in 2025 — and why?
Would love to hear if anyone here actively avoids Tether or still sees it as essential.
Click to expand...
I’m honestly a bit worried about USDT’s dominance — the lack of transparency and offshore issuance still feels risky. While USDC seems safer, USDT is just everywhere, and it's hard to avoid. I keep wondering if it’s just a matter of time before something big goes wrong.
 
Tether (USDT) has maintained its dominance largely due to its first-mover advantage and the extensive liquidity it offers across exchanges, particularly in emerging markets like Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia. While USDC provides more transparency and is backed by a more rigorous auditing process, USDT’s dominance can largely be attributed to widespread adoption and the convenience of using a stablecoin that’s universally accepted. Despite concerns around its issuance and transparency, USDT continues to lead due to its liquidity, integration into numerous trading pairs, and strong presence in both centralized and decentralized exchanges.


That said, USDC and crvUSD are gaining traction, especially for users who prioritize transparency and regulatory adherence. My current go-to stablecoin is USDC, as it offers a higher level of trust in its backing and compliance. However, USDT still plays an essential role in the ecosystem, especially when it comes to trading volume and availability.
 
I honestly find it worrying that USDT still dominates, especially considering the lack of transparency and the massive issuance on offshore exchanges. Sure, it's everywhere, but I'm concerned about the long-term implications of this. It's like we’ve all just gotten used to it, but that doesn’t mean it’s the safest or the most trustworthy option. I’ve been using USDC more lately, and I feel more comfortable with its backing and transparency, but the fact that USDT is still so widely used makes me uneasy. I can’t help but feel like people are just sticking with it out of habit, not because it’s actually the best choice for the future.
 
USDT's dominance is certainly a combination of trust and habit. Its long-standing presence in the market and widespread use have built a network effect, making it the go-to stablecoin for many traders and platforms. While the transparency concerns and offshore issuance are valid points, USDT's liquidity and deep integration across exchanges make it hard to replace. That said, I agree that USDC and crvUSD are becoming increasingly attractive, especially with their stronger transparency and regulatory compliance. In 2025, I find myself gravitating towards USDC for its more reliable backing, but it's clear USDT will continue to hold significant market share due to its entrenched position.
 
Really sharp take appreciate you bringing this up with nuance. It’s wild how USDT keeps dominating despite the transparency gaps and regulatory question marks. I agree it feels less about genuine trust and more about liquidity inertia at this point. The network effects and sheer volume on offshore and high-risk exchanges keep it indispensable, whether we like it or not.


I’ve also pivoted more toward USDC and crvUSD lately for exactly those reasons cleaner audits, better alignment with DeFi protocols, and less of that what if cloud hanging over every FUD cycle. That said, like you pointed out, USDT pairs are unavoidable if you’re actively trading or moving funds in certain regions.
 
I totally get where you're coming from. Tether definitely has that habit factor, and it's hard to escape since it’s everywhere. But yeah, the transparency issues and that whole offshore exchange thing do make you pause. I’ve been leaning more toward USDC and crvUSD myself definitely feel more secure with the transparency and audits behind them. But USDT just won’t go away, and it's still the go-to in a lot of cases.


I think at the end of the day, people stick with USDT because it's so widely accepted and easy to trade. It’s like the default, but I do think USDC and others are slowly catching up. Anyone actively avoiding Tether is definitely not alone but for now, it’s hard to ignore how dominant it still is. Keep the convo going, though! Would love to hear what others are using.
 
You’ve nailed it by pointing out the huge presence USDT has, especially in regions like Africa, LATAM, and parts of Asia. The whole trust vs. habit debate is super interesting it really makes you wonder how much of Tether’s dominance is built on its sheer familiarity and established use, rather than full confidence in transparency.


I'm also diving more into USDC and crvUSD lately, but I can't deny that USDT pairs are everywhere, making it hard to completely ignore! It’s like Tether is the old reliable, even though we know there are better options in terms of transparency.
 
Tether's dominance feels more like habit and liquidity than deep trust — it's been the default on most exchanges, especially where access to banking is limited. Despite transparency concerns, it’s still essential for fast trades and global use. That said, long-term, many are shifting toward USDC for its regulatory clarity and crvUSD for its DeFi-native design. Personally, I lean toward USDC in 2025 for safety, but I can’t ignore USDT’s massive role in liquidity and availability. Until something fully replaces its utility, it’s hard to avoid.
 
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