USDC Expands At 2021 Levels—What’s Driving The Surge?

Stablecoins, often taking the backseat from Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies, are now in the spotlight. According to on-chain data, the stablecoins market has surged to over $200 billion, with Tether’s USDT and USDC as the main growth drivers. Based on CryptoQuant’s data, the stablecoins market increased by $37 billion since the first week of November last year, when Donald Trump won his second presidency. The same CryptoQuant report shared that the stablecoin’s performance may spill over to Bitcoin and other cryptos. Alphractal shared the same data; this time, it highlights the growing role of USDC in the stablecoins segment. According to Alphractal, USDC is eating up the share of USDT, and other altcoins are fueling its rise in the industry. USDC Nearing Its Key Resistance Level: Alphractal According to Alphractal, the stablecoins market’s steady but steady expansion, with Tether at the top, is evidence of its tenacity. According to recent market data, altcoin trades are helping USDC gain traction. The research claims that altcoin sales frequently move to USDC, boosting the market’s supply. 🚨 Stablecoin Market Cap Surpasses $211B – USDC Gains Momentum! Since 2023, the stablecoin market has grown significantly, mainly driven by USDT (Tether). However, recently, USDC has been gaining an edge over other stablecoins. This trend is occurring due to the recent drop in… pic.twitter.com/IRKrQErmCE — Alphractal (@Alphractal) January 31, 2025 However, this coin is nearing its resistance level, and its replicating price movements were last seen in 2021. Unlike its rival, Tether’s USDT, USDC enjoys strong institutional backing and regulatory clarity. These are the primary reasons many investors and institutions prefer USDC over Tether’s USDT. Source: AlphractalWhat About The Other Stablecoins? USDC and USDT are still the most popular stablecoins, but smaller stablecoins have not been growing since 2023. The total market value of these alternative stablecoins has stayed mostly the same, indicating there has been little new development or growth beyond the two main coins. Total crypto market cap currently at $3.29 trillion. Chart: TradingViewThe other coins’ perceived poor adoption and popularity raise questions about the prospects of stablecoins. Like USDT, many of these “smaller stablecoin projects” face liquidity issues, lack of institutional support, and regulatory uncertainty. While it’s good that the overall stablecoin market cap is growing, it’s also alarming that it’s only dominated by two coins: USDT and USDC. Bullish Or Bearish: USDC’s Short-Term Outlook USDC’s current price action is nearing a critical resistance level, similar to its all-time high in 2021. If it continues to dominate and move past this resistance, this can translate to higher risk aversion, with capital moving away from meme or altcoins. In short, it’s a bearish signal since people are looking for stability. It’s also interesting to note that USDC rose when altcoins crashed in price. This indicates that many investors are securing their gains. Featured image from InfoMoney, chart from TradingView Christian Encila They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn. Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later). Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley! So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill). Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair. Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better. Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies. Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects. So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one. Disclaimer: The information found on NewsBTC is for educational purposes only. It does not represent the opinions of NewsBTC on whether to buy, sell or hold any investments and naturally investing carries risks. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use information provided on this website entirely at your own risk.