$USDC thought it was pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 1:1, meaning each USDC = approximately 1 dollar.

What distinguishes it:

✅ Backed by real cash reserves (bank accounts and short-term government bonds).

✅ Very transparent, and its reserves are audited periodically.

✅ Widely used in trading, quick transfers, and even in decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

In general, USDC is considered a relatively safe option compared to other cryptocurrencies, especially if your goal is to maintain the value of your money amidst market fluctuations.