Is USDT a Binance?

Could you please clarify for me if USDT is associated with Binance? I've heard some discussions about it, but I'm not entirely sure if USDT is a product or service offered by Binance, or if it's simply a cryptocurrency that can be traded on their platform. Could you explain the relationship between USDT and Binance, if there is any? Additionally, if USDT is not directly linked to Binance, could you provide some insight into what USDT is and how it functions in the crypto ecosystem? Thank you for your help in clarifying this matter for me.