Is USDT a dollar? Why is it everywhere when you buy crypto?

It's called Tether, so it's basically dollars in the bank, right?

No. USDT, or Tether, is a stablecoin. It's designed to stay close to one dollar. But it isn't the dollars in your bank account, and it isn't risk-free cash.

Exchanges often use it to price and swap assets. You might buy bitcoin with USDT, and when you sell, you may get USDT back, not a bank transfer.

'Stable' is a design goal, not a guarantee. The price can drift, and issuing and redeeming come with conditions. If you hold it, learn about the issuer and the platform risks too.

So I have to buy USDT before bitcoin?

Not always. Which currencies and trading pairs you can use depends on your region and your platform.

What's wrong with this sentence? A stablecoin is not a promise to protect your money. Know what it's for, and know it can be unstable.

If your phone breaks tonight, are your coins gone too? Next: where your coins actually live.

Understand first, then act.