How to buy and hold stablecoins
Stablecoins let you hold something worth about a dollar while staying inside crypto, ready to move in seconds. They are the market's plumbing. Here is how to buy them, which ones to stick to, and where to keep them.
- Stick to the largest, most transparent stablecoins. USDC and USDT are the two giants; USDC is known for a more regulated approach.
- Buy them on a reputable exchange, the same way you would buy any coin, or convert from cash directly.
- Stable does not mean risk-free. You are trusting the issuer, so avoid obscure coins promising high yields.
What they are for
A stablecoin is a token designed to stay worth roughly one US dollar. People use them to step out of a volatile position without cashing back to a bank, to move money quickly and cheaply, and to hold value between trades. If you want the full picture of how they work and where they can wobble, our stablecoins explainer covers it.
How to buy them
On any reputable exchange, buying a stablecoin works like buying any other coin. On some platforms you can convert cash directly into USDC or USDT with little or no fee. Choose an established, regulated exchange, our exchanges guide compares the two we trust, and enable app-based two-factor authentication as always.
Which ones to stick to
Favor the largest and most transparent options. USDC, issued by Circle, is widely regarded for its regulated, clearly-backed approach, and USDT, issued by Tether, is the most widely used. Both are backed by reserves of cash and short-term government debt. Be cautious of lesser-known stablecoins, especially any dangling unusually high yields to attract deposits, because that reward has to come from somewhere.
Where to keep them
You can hold stablecoins on an exchange for convenience, or in self-custody for control. Either way, remember that a stablecoin is a claim on an issuer or a protocol, not insured cash in a bank. Keep meaningful balances with the most trusted issuers, and if you want to hold them yourself, our wallets guide explains how.