Can either issuer freeze my funds?

Yes. Tether and Circle can both freeze tokens at an address, usually after a request from law enforcement. Tether says it has frozen more than $4.4 billion in total. Circle's terms let it block addresses and freeze USDC to comply with legal orders and sanctions, or where it suspects illegal activity.

From USDT vs USDC for business payments: which to hold and which to send, by . Updated .

The wider picture

The key points from the guide this answer comes from:

  1. Send what your counterparty asks for, on the network they use.
  2. USDT carries most stablecoin payments, especially in emerging markets and on Tron, and was the largest stablecoin at about $183 billion in October 2026.
  3. USDC is authorized in the EU and publishes monthly attestations, so it's easier to document for an auditor or a bank. Tether publishes quarterly ones.
  4. Both issuers can freeze tokens at an address, and neither token is a bank deposit or has deposit insurance.

More questions on this

The full guide

Send what your counterparty asks for, on the network they use. If you keep a balance, USDC's monthly attestations are easier to document than Tether's quarterly ones.

Read USDT vs USDC for business payments: which to hold and which to send, with its sources.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and providers' terms change; check the sources in the guide and take advice on your own situation.

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