USUAL introduces USD0, a stablecoin backed by U.S. Treasury Bills, offering transparency, security, and revenue sharing through its governance token, USUAL.

More than a decade ago, in mid-2014, the first 

 arrived on the stage of the crypto market. These cryptocurrencies were designed to provide stability in the typically volatile world of crypto, and to serve as a bridge between the traditional finance (TradFi) and 

 (DeFi) ecosystems. At the core of their functionality is a mechanism that maintains a close peg to some traditionally valued asset, be it the U.S. dollar, euro or 

Stablecoins have proved to be tremendously popular, with the leading asset in this niche, 

 (USDT), routinely attracting higher trading volumes than any other cryptocurrency — including the mighty Bitcoin. The second most popular stablecoin in the market, 

 (USDC), also enjoys multibillion-dollar daily trading volumes, and ranks among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Despite their popularity, many leading stablecoins — including the dominant USDT and USDC pair — have opaque collateral management mechanisms, are lacking in transparency, don't distribute revenues to the wider user community and are highly centralized in terms of control.

Usual (USUAL) is a DeFi solution launched on the 

 (ETH) blockchain that aims to tackle these deficiencies of traditional stablecoins by offering a 

 (RWA)–backed stablecoin and redistributing protocol revenues among its users. The platform's primary stablecoin — USD0 — is backed by collateral invested mainly in short-term U.S. Treasury Bills; maintains a tight peg to the greenback via these secure investments; has a fully transparent reserve verification system; and opens up additional yield opportunities across a variety of external DeFi protocols via a 

 (USUAL) is an Ethereum-based DeFi platform that offers an RWA-backed, USD-pegged transparent stablecoin, USD0, and distributes protocol revenues among its user community. 

USD0 is backed by collateral invested in RWAs, primarily in short-term U.S. Treasury Bills. The short-term, highly liquid and secure nature of these government-issued assets ensures that USD0's peg to the U.S. dollar isn't likely to be compromised.

Usual has partnered with Hashnote, a Florida-based regulated provider of digital and tokenized fund products, to facilitate secure investment in U.S. Treasury Bills and associated products.

Usual's USD0 is a unique stablecoin product, distinct from the dominant assets in this niche, 

 and USDC. While these cryptocurrencies also maintain fiat reserves to back their value, they’re controlled by centralized corporate entities, and their USD reserves are exposed to the traditional banking system, with poorly known levels of risk associated with them.

, whose values aren’t backed by fiat assets, and which are highly dependent upon underlying protocols’ activity to maintain their pegs. In many cases, these algorithmic coins lose their pegs and stability when the underlying lending or borrowing activities on their protocols are manipulated by 

 or become subject to panic-driven runs. The most notorious example was the 2022 

Usual’s platform also offers a liquid staking version of USD0, USD0++, which can be used throughout the DeFi ecosystem for additional yields. It has partnered with several Ethereum DeFi protocols to expand the universe of platforms where USD0++ can be utilized, including 

Usual also has another distinct feature: the protocol aims to distribute future revenue among its users, specifically among holders of its upcoming USUAL 

The platform was developed by the France-based Usual Labs, a blockchain development outfit co-founded by Adli Takkal Bataille, Hugo Sallé de Chou and former French parliament member Pierre Person. Usual launched the USD0 stablecoin in mid-2024. In late November 2024, the platform introduced the USUAL governance token, set to be launched sometime in mid-December 2024.

The introduction of the USD0 stablecoin is a potentially paradigm-changing event for the crypto market. This innovative asset adopts many of the advantages of fiat-backed stablecoins, but also resolves many associated issues. Usual Labs has targeted several goals with the advent of USD0 and its unique working mechanism.

One key aim is to change the way that profits from decentralized stablecoin operations are shared. Usual's revenue is to be shared with the user community — namely, the holders of the USUAL token. All the revenue generated from the platform's operations flows to its treasury. USUAL holders are in charge of this revenue, making them eligible to decide on the actual distribution. In essence, owning USUAL entitles you to a share of potentially 100% of revenue generated by the platform.

This starkly contrasts with the way that other fiat-backed stablecoins, notably USDT and USDC, operate. All the revenues generated from these stablecoins are appropriated by their respective founding companies — Tether Limited for USDT, and Circle Internet Financial Limited for USDC. While the risks from the operations of these assets are externalized and shared with holders of the stablecoins, the revenues are internalized and scooped up by Tether and Circle.

Another aim of the Usual project is to bring transparency to the management of collateral that backs the USD0 stablecoin. As a decentralized protocol, Usual provides the transparency of collateral funds' allocation. Again, this contrasts with the opaque nature of the way that USD collateral for some stablecoins is managed. Tether's USDT has particularly 

 in the crypto investor community, as the company has never conducted a full-scale audit for its vast claimed dollar reserves.

Another aim of Usual is to provide a stablecoin that’s completely secure from exposure to the traditional, fractional reserve-based banking system. Some crypto investors have derided the fractional reserve system, whereby only a small proportion of client liabilities are actually held at any given time by banks. Projects like USDT and USDC rely heavily on the traditional banking system, which backs their U.S. dollar reserves. These banks naturally rely on fractional reserves that, at least in the opinion of the most risk-averse investors, exposes them to 

In contrast, USD0 is backed by short-term U.S. Treasury Bills, an asset class that’s fully backed by the U.S. government's pledge. These are considered among the safest assets in the world of finance, as the U.S. government has never yet defaulted on its payment obligations. Unlike USD deposits in banks, USD0's Treasury Bill–based collateral isn't exposed to the risks of the fractional reserve system. As such, the coin's collateral is based on a government-backed asset, providing a level of security that most fiat-based stablecoins in the market are unlikely to match.

Usual uses a three-token model to power its operations and services. There's the fiat-backed USD0 stablecoin, which is protected by Treasury Bill collateral. The second asset is the USD0++ LST, a derivative of USD0 issued upon staking the latter. And there’s the USUAL governance token that grants holders the right to participate in decision-making on the protocol's rules and future direction.

The Usual protocol provides two ways to mint the USD0 stablecoin:

:This is normally done by investing in the USYC fund and using it as collateral, then depositing it into the mint engine to mint USD0. USYC is an on-chain representation of the Short Duration Yield Fund (SDYF) provided by Hashnote, a regulated provider of tokenized fund products. USYC/SDYF is based mainly on U.S. Treasury Bills with short-term maturity.

:You can also mint USD0 indirectly on a 1:1 basis by supplying the USDC stablecoin as collateral.

Redeeming the stablecoin is also possible in two ways — directly through the protocol, or via the secondary market. When using direct redeeming, you simply withdraw your RWA collateral using the protocol's interface. Alternatively, you can sell USD0 for USDC or USDT via a secondary market platform, such as 

 (CRV), a popular DeFi protocol that specializes in stablecoin assets.

USD0++ is an LST representation of USD0. When you stake USD0 on the platform, you’re issued USD0++, which is fully composable and can be used on various Ethereum-linked protocols to earn additional yield. You can lock USD0 to get issued USD0++ for four years. However, you’re also free to unstake at any time.

Staking rewards from locking USD0 to get USD0++ are paid in USUAL tokens. Usual's model rewards long-term staking commitments, as users are encouraged to stake for at least six months — this is the minimum period of staking required to qualify for what the protocol calls the 

 (BIG). BIG essentially refers to a guaranteed yield from native staking of the underlying RWAs on the Usual protocol. When the period concludes, the staker can choose to collect the yield in either USUAL or USD0.

Yields start accumulating from day one of staking. Although users are free to unstake at any time, those who do so before the six-month minimum period will forfeit accumulated rewards.

USUAL is the Usual protocol's governance crypto token. It was unveiled on Nov 19, 2024, and is currently in pre-market mode only. It's expected that USUAL's public launch will occur in the near future. As USUAL is a community-first token, 90% of the tokens are distributed to the community with only 10% allocated to insiders (team and investors).

Usual feeds its revenues into its protocol's treasury, which is controlled by the USUAL holder community. As such, USUAL holders own 100% of the platform, a significant departure from the system used by many other stablecoin issuers, whereby a corporate entity earns all or the majority of the profits. 

Additionally, Usual is designed such that its protocol will incentivize early adopters and long-term holders. As the TVL of USD0 increases, Usual will generate more revenue. The emission rate of USUAL is also disinflationary, gradually reducing as the TVL of USD0 rises and enhancing the scarcity of the token, which will subsequently lead to a boost in its value.

At the initial stages of the platform's market presence, Usual Labs is largely responsible for governance decision-making. However, this function will be taken over by USUAL holders, likely in the form of a 

Although called a governance token, USUAL has additional functionalities beyond supporting the protocol's governance processes. It’s also used to distribute yields from staking ( as discussed in the section above on USD0++). Rewards from the protocol's loyalty point campaigns are also airdropped in USUAL. 

In addition, USUAL can be staked for additional governance rights and rewards. USUAL stakers will receive 

, from which they can earn a portion of USUAL emissions and 50% of the fees generated from people unstaking their Usual assets (USUAL or USD0++).

USUAL's maximum and total token supply are specified at 4 billion. The initial circulating supply during the early days of the token's pre-market trading is close to 500 million as of Dec 2, 2024.

The Usual protocol ran a points-based reward program from July through the last week of November 2024. Called the 

, it let early users accumulate points by acting as liquidity providers before the protocol's full public launch phase. The accumulated Pills points will determine users' eligibility for a USUAL airdrop, slated for mid-December.

The airdrop will allocate 8.5% of the token's supply to eligible users — the more Pills points you've earned, the more USUAL tokens you’ll receive.

During the token's pre-market trading stage, Bybit is one of the rare platforms that’s allowing you to access it. As of Dec 2, 2024, 

 on Bybit's Pre-Market Perpetuals Trading platform as a 

 lets you invest in a variety of upcoming cryptocurrencies via USDT-based perpetual futures contracts before these assets are listed on the main spot or derivatives markets. Using this platform, you can access a range of promising new crypto assets before they become publicly available. There are two main limits enforced by Perpetual Pre-Market — the position size cannot exceed $250,000, and leverage is permitted up to 5x.

Stablecoins are one of the oldest asset types in the crypto industry, while RWAs are a much newer trend that’s growing increasingly popular among investors. The Usual project has decided to marry these two areas, providing an RWA-backed, USD-pegged stablecoin — USD0. The concept of using an RWA for stablecoin collateral may not be totally unique. However, using a highly secure asset such as U.S. Treasury Bills with short-term maturity is something that truly distinguishes the Usual protocol.

Distributing revenue among the governance token holder community is also a refreshing innovation in a niche dominated by providers who largely internalize protocol incomes. Currently, the stablecoin market is heavily dominated by USDT and USDC, with 

 (FDUSD) also recently posting impressive, multibillion-dollar daily trading volumes. All three of these stablecoin issuers lack a mechanism to share revenue with their users. A major stablecoin provider that utilizes a democratized way of sharing protocol revenues with the user community is a deserted area, one that the Usual platform is keen to claim.

With all these merits of the Usual protocol, the upcoming USUAL token is a promising and potentially rewarding asset. Investors interested in stablecoins grounded in highly secure TradFi collateral might want to take a closer look at these new arrivals on the block — the USD0 stablecoin and the USUAL governance token.

Intermediate

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Usual (USUAL): A New Model of Collateralized Stablecoin Ownership

Tether (USDT) is the most popular stablecoin on the market. In this article, we reveal all you need to know about USDT.

Picture a digital currency that remains stable despite the wild ride of the cryptocurrency market. This intriguing concept has the potential to revolutionize the way we transact and invest in the world of digital currencies. Enter Tether (USDT), a 

 that has managed to maintain a steady valuation amidst the turbulence of the crypto market. But what is USDT exactly? It’s a digital token pegged to the value of a fiat currency, providing stability and ease of use in the volatile world of cryptocurrencies.

Tether (USDT) is a cryptocurrency stablecoin designed to maintain a 1:1 ratio with the U.S. dollar, with each token being backed by Tether’s reserves.

 As one of the most widely adopted stablecoins, USDT has gained significant market capitalization since its inception, making it a popular choice for those looking to buy Tether. 

Besides USDT, Tether is also available in three other currencies: euro (EUR), Mexican peso (MXN) and offshore Chinese yuan (CNH). These Tether tokens are represented as EURT, MXNT and CNHT, respectively.

But why is a stable digital currency so important? In the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, market volatility can be both thrilling and anxiety-inducing. A stablecoin like Tether offers a less volatile option for traders and businesses, providing a secure digital asset that is less susceptible to the fluctuations of other digital currencies.

 in 2014, initially launching as RealCoin before rebranding to Tether later that year. The founders intended to create a stablecoin that could provide consistent prices and user-friendly transactions in the cryptocurrency market. Since then, Tether has become an integral part of the digital token ecosystem, providing:

The foundation of USDT’s stability lies in its pegging mechanism, which sustains a 1:1 ratio with the U.S. dollar, supported by Tether’s reserves. The peg of this currency is kept stable by keeping the same value of reserves in USD as in the total amount of USDT circulating. These reserves help maintain the peg of this currency against the USD. This stability is essential for traders looking to hedge against market volatility, as it offers a dependable store of value.

But how does Tether ensure this stability? By integrating with various cryptocurrency networks, such as:

Tether can undertake periodic examinations to guarantee security and adherence, addressing any tether claims that may arise.

Tether carries a significant role in the crypto market, offering traders a steady asset to offset market volatility and supplying liquidity for diverse platforms. Its benefits include:

As a result, USDT is a valuable tool for cryptocurrency users.

The primary benefit of USDT to traders lies in its stability. With a value pegged to the U.S. dollar, USDT allows traders to circumvent the volatility of other cryptocurrencies while maintaining a stable store of value. This makes it a popular choice for various applications and platforms in the digital token ecosystem. The use of 

USDT is continuously rising at an accelerated pace, with over 330 million on-chain wallets and accounts recorded to have received USDT as of October 2024.

During periods of market turbulence, Tether (USDT) provides a safe haven for investors seeking to protect their investments and minimize losses. By maintaining a stable value, traders can take advantage of the benefits of digital currencies without the inherent risks associated with price volatility.

For instance, Chinese importers of inexpensive goods in Russia use USDT on a daily basis to transfer millions home, exemplifying the real-world applications of this stablecoin.

Due to its broad acceptance and substantial reserves, USDT serves as a dependable liquidity source for numerous platforms and exchanges. By providing exceptional liquidity on tier one exchanges, Tether tokens offer traders the ability to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities, asset balancing, and cash equivalents.

The liquidity provided by USDT has a considerable influence on the stability of the crypto market. By supplying a stable and dependable value, USDT:

Tether initially functioned on the Omni Layer Protocol, a platform constructed on the Bitcoin blockchain, offering a steady digital asset for the crypto market. 

Tether then expanded its integration to other blockchains, including Ethereum, TRON and others, increasing its accessibility and utility for various applications and platforms. 

With the rising popularity of USDT usage on other chains, especially Ethereum and TRON, Tether discontinued its support for Omni in August 2024 due to its lack of popularity among users. However, Tether has 

 layer above Bitcoin, and is considering RGB as a leading option. As Bitcoin’s 

 (DeFi) capabilities have notably expanded with the introduction of 

, a USDT comeback is poised to leverage this growth.

By connecting tether tokens with various cryptocurrency networks, Tether’s Blockchain Integration allows for the secure and compliant transfer and trading of Tether token.

The Omni Layer Protocol is a layer built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain that facilitates the generation, transmission, trading, and redemption of digital tokens. This protocol enabled Tether to issue USDT tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain, providing a secure and well-established platform for the digital asset.

By utilizing the Omni Layer Protocol, Tether was able to provide a stable digital currency for the cryptocurrency market, offering users a secure and dependable store of value.

As Tether expanded beyond the Omni Layer Protocol, it integrated with the Ethereum blockchain, issuing 

 tokens to enable users to easily transfer and trade Tether on the Ethereum blockchain. This integration increased the accessibility and utility of Tether for various applications and platforms, making it a popular choice for users in the digital token ecosystem.

In addition to Ethereum, Tether now supports a range of other blockchains, with the highest usage on TRON, BNB Chain and Ethereum. On Oct 16, 2024, 

 networks like Optimism, Arbitrum and Polygon over the past year. Its recent release on the TON blockchain has also led to a growth spurt of 3.3 million additional users in just six months. 

Beyond USDT, Tether Limited has also introduced Tether Gold (XAUT), a digital asset backed by physical gold

, as well as Alloy by Tether (aUSDT), a stable USD asset backed by Tether Gold,

 showcasing the company’s dedication to providing diverse options for the crypto market.

 (XAUt) is an ERC-20 stablecoin backed by gold on a 1:1 basis with one fine troy ounce of gold equivalent to a physical bar of gold. This enables holders to benefit from gold’s inflation-hedging qualities without drawbacks such as storage expenses and limited liquidity. XAUt holders can redeem their stablecoins for physical gold at any time, to be delivered at a location chosen by the holder in Switzerland, with redemptions limited to holders holding at least 430 XAUt tokens. XAUt holders can also request Tether Gold help sell their gold in the Swiss gold market, then receive the proceeds from the transaction.

 (aUSDT) is a type of tethered asset tied to Tether Gold (XAUt). aUSDT can be minted by using XAUt as collateral, resulting in a synthetic, gold-backed dollar that can be used for spending, investing or saving. The stability of the token is maintained through overcollateralization, whereby users have to deposit more of the collateral than the value of aUSDT they wish to mint. This overcollateralization is managed by liquidators, who may liquidate some of the XAUt collateral if it falls below the level required for maintaining the aUSDT.

The process of acquiring and using USDT is straightforward. Users can purchase USDT on various exchanges using fiat currencies or other cryptocurrencies. Once acquired, USDT can be stored in a secure digital 

USDT can be employed in a range of transactions, including trading, lending, and buying goods and services, whether on or off the blockchain.

USDT can be purchased on various exchanges, such as Bybit, using fiat currencies like euros or U.S. dollars. The transaction fees associated with buying USDT on different cryptocurrency exchanges can vary, ranging from 0.05% to 0.25%. It is advisable to check the specific fees for each exchange before making a purchase.

When acquiring USDT, users can choose from a variety of crypto exchanges that support fiat currency or cryptocurrency transactions, making the process of obtaining and trading USDT convenient and straightforward.

Storing USDT in a secure wallet is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring easy access to your funds. There are a variety of wallet options available, including hardware wallets, software wallets, and exchanges.

For added security, users can opt for cold storage, a method of storing cryptocurrencies offline in a secure digital wallet, protecting their USDT from potential cyber attacks and unauthorized access.

USDT can be used for various transactions, including trading, lending, and purchasing goods and services, both on and off the blockchain. By offering a stable store of value, USDT enables users to transact with blockchain-based assets while mitigating price risk and enjoying the advantages of transparency, stability, and low fees associated with traditional currencies.

Some examples of goods and services that can be purchased using USDT include:

Risks and Controversies Surrounding Tether

, has encountered numerous controversies and risks, including transparency concerns related to Tether’s reserves and legal conflicts with regulatory bodies. These challenges have led to doubts about its liquidity and stability, prompting investigations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the New York Attorney General.

Despite these risks and controversies, Tether continues to be an integral part of the digital token ecosystem, providing stability and liquidity to various platforms and exchanges.

Tether’s transparency regarding its reserves has been questioned, leading to doubts about its liquidity and stability. The lack of independent third-party audits and inadequate reporting has caused concerns and elicited criticism from regulators and the crypto community.

To address these concerns, Tether has implemented several strategies,

 including publishing a quarterly reserves report and maintaining a liquidity cushion of $3.3 billion. However, Tether has faced ongoing criticism for not being fully transparent, as its reserves report has never been submitted to a third-party audit.

Tether has faced legal battles and fines due to its business practices, including an $18.5 million fine from the New York Attorney General’s office for mingling client and corporate funds in February 2021. Additionally, Tether was subjected to a $41 million fine in October 2021 by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission for providing unlawful off-exchange financed retail commodity transactions with U.S. persons who were not eligible contract participants. 

In response to these fines, Tether has entered into settlements to bolster its banking relationships and legal structure.

Additionally, Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, has emphasized the company's commitment to preventing criminal misuse of its currency, noting that Tether has actively worked with law enforcement agencies since its 2014 launch to recover $108.8 million in USDT linked to illegal activities.

, Tether’s operations were reportedly once again put under investigation by the United States government concerning its potential use for money laundering and other illicit activities. Tether has issued a statement in response to this report from 

, criticizing it as unfounded and irresponsible journalism.

USDT is frequently compared to other stablecoins like USDC and DAI, each presenting distinct features and advantages for users. While all three maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar, the backing mechanisms and transparency levels vary between them.

Understanding the differences between these stablecoins can help cryptocurrency users make informed decisions about which option best suits their needs and preferences.

 maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar, but USDC is backed by fiat currency deposits stored in regulated banks, while USDT’s backing is less transparent. USDC, issued by members of the CENTRE consortium, is valued for its transparency and fully collateralized nature, while USDT is more frequently utilized for trading and payments.

Although both stablecoins are popular choices for various applications and platforms, their unique features and backing mechanisms make them suitable for different use cases.

USDT and DAI are both stablecoins, but DAI is a decentralized stablecoin backed by collateralized debt positions, offering a more transparent and decentralized alternative to Tether. DAI is generated, backed, and kept stable through the use of Ethereum-based assets deposited into a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) called MakerDAO.

By understanding the differences between USDT, USDC, and DAI, cryptocurrency users can make more informed decisions about which stablecoin best meets their needs and preferences.

 (USDT) has made a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market by providing a stable digital asset for traders and businesses. Its unique pegging mechanism, integration with various blockchain platforms, and widespread acceptance make it a valuable tool in the digital currency ecosystem. Despite facing controversies and risks, Tether continues to play a crucial role in the market, offering stability and liquidity to various platforms. By understanding the differences between USDT and other stablecoins, users can make informed decisions about which option best suits their needs, ultimately leading to a more secure and efficient digital currency experience.

USD and USDT are two distinct currencies; USD is a physical currency issued and backed by the U.S. government, while USDT is a digital currency backed by an equivalent amount of USD held in reserve.

USDT is a digital currency used to purchase goods and services, or it can be traded on digital currency exchanges. It remains pegged to the U.S. dollar, making it a more stable option for those looking to trade or use digital currencies.

Currently, 1 U.S. dollar is equivalent to 

0.9995 Tether (USDT), with the exchange rate showing an increase of 0.1% over the past 24 hours. USDT’s market cap is $120.34B.

What are some examples of goods and services that can be purchased using USDT?

Goods and services that can be purchased using USDT include booking flights and hotels on Travala.com, 

 magazine and investing in Australia's first crypto-friendly 

Beginner

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What Is USDT? A Beginner’s Guide to Tether (2024)

Stablecoin depegging is the deviation of a stablecoin's value from its pegged asset, typically a fiat currency. Learn more here.

 bridge the gap between volatile cryptocurrencies and traditional finance by pegging their value to stable assets such as the U.S. dollar. However, there have been instances where the value of a stablecoin has deviated from its peg, resulting in depegging.

This article examines stablecoin depegging, its causes and impacts, and the complex mechanisms designed to maintain stablecoins’ stability. We'll also discuss historical depegging events and provide insights on how traders can protect themselves if depegging occurs.

Stablecoin depegging is the deviation of a stablecoin's value from its pegged asset, typically a fiat currency. Depegging undermines the stablecoin's primary function of maintaining a stable value in the volatile cryptocurrency market.

There are various reasons a stablecoin might lose its peg. Understanding all of these possibilities is crucial to evaluating the stability of certain stablecoins and their probabilities of depegging. Following are the most common reasons for depegging.

 can profoundly impact a stablecoin's peg. A sudden surge in demand without matching supply can drive stablecoin prices above their peg, while a rapid sell-off can have the opposite effect.

The speed of these market movements is crucial. While 

 traders can help limit price deviation by capitalizing on minor price discrepancies, extreme volatility can overwhelm this mechanism as traders struggle to keep up.

 can create self-reinforcing cycles. Any slight deviation from a peg might cause concern, leading to further selling pressure that exacerbates the price movement. This feedback loop can turn slight price deviations into substantial depegging events.

The governance structures and management practices of stablecoin issuers are critical factors in maintaining stability. Poor decision-making, lack of transparency or mismanagement of reserves can erode confidence in a stablecoin and lead to depegging events.

Even if a stablecoin has a long track record of stability, mismanagement of reserves can undermine the issuer's credibility. For instance, an issuer using reserves for high-risk investments could lose funds and, as a result, destabilize the peg.

Some stablecoins use algorithmic formulas instead of asset collateral to maintain their pegs. These algorithmic stablecoins rely on 

 to adjust supply based on demand. However, flaws in these algorithms can lead to rapid depegging, as in 

 can significantly impact stablecoin stability. Financial crises, changes in monetary policy or digital asset bans by governments are all realistic scenarios that could trigger a depegging event.

 (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi) has amplified the impact of macroeconomic events on stablecoins. As stablecoins become more intertwined in the financial ecosystem, they’re vulnerable to shocks from both systems.

 in March 2023 demonstrated how crises in traditional banking can impact stablecoins. When Circle revealed that $3.3 billion of 

 reserves were held at SVB, the stablecoin briefly lost its dollar peg as its price plummeted to $0.87.

Many stablecoins rely on smart contracts to manage their operations. These contracts govern crucial functions, such as minting, 

, transferring tokens and maintaining collateral ratios.

However, vulnerabilities or bugs in these smart contracts can lead to severe consequences.

To mitigate these risks, stablecoin issuers should conduct regular security audits, implement 

 and use decentralized verification solutions for critical functions. They should also have a contingency plan to respond quickly to any potential exploit or bug.

A blockchain network's underlying performance can also impact stablecoin pegs. Network congestion, high transaction fees and network outages can all disrupt stablecoins' normal functioning and cause price instability.

These issues underscore the importance of scalable and reliable blockchain infrastructure for the stability of the stablecoin ecosystem. Some projects are exploring solutions, such as 

 scaling or multichain deployments, to mitigate these risks.

Stablecoin depegging events have far-reaching consequences across the whole financial market and beyond. The severity of these consequences depends upon the scale of the depegging event, and the market's confidence in the stablecoin issuer's ability to regain its peg.

These consequences reveal the importance of building a resilient stablecoin infrastructure that can withstand market pressures and maintain a stable peg. Only then can stablecoins fulfill their potential to increase payment efficiency andpromote financial inclusion.

Stablecoins employ various mechanisms to maintain their peg. Depending upon its design and goals, each stablecoin may use one or a combination of these methods.

Many stablecoins maintain their value through collateralization, a process through which the issuer holds reserves of assets to back the stablecoins that are in circulation. For example, USDC is backed by cash and U.S. Treasury instruments.

Some stablecoin issuers diversify their reserves across multiple institutions to mitigate risks associated with any single entity, and to enhance overall stability. Regular audits of these reserves are crucial in order to verify sufficient backing for the circulating supply.

Some stablecoins use smart contracts to automatically adjust supply based on demand. These mechanisms stabilize prices by burning tokens when the price falls below the peg, and minting new ones when it rises above it.

For instance, an algorithmic stablecoin might automatically mint new tokens when the coin’s price rises above $1.01, and burn tokens when it falls below $0.99. This automatic adjustment helps to maintain the peg by balancing supply with demand.

Arbitrage opportunities arise when a stablecoin's price deviates from its intended peg. If the stablecoin trades below its peg (for instance, if a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin is trading at $0.98), traders can purchase the undervalued stablecoin and redeem it for the underlying asset at a value of $1.

Such arbitrage activity helps to push the stablecoin's price back toward its peg by increasing demand and reducing supply. Conversely, if the stablecoin is trading above its peg, say at $1.02, traders can sell the overvalued stablecoin and buy it back later when it returns to $1.

Stablecoins are reshaping how we perceive money, as well as how we transact and innovate with it in the digital age. At the heart of their functionality lies the peg — the mechanism and underlying asset used to maintain the stablecoin's value.

The specific asset the stablecoin is pegged to impacts its price stability and overall reliability. For example, fiat-pegged stablecoins offer the most robust pegs, as governments and central banks have a vested interest in maintaining the value of their officially issued currency.

On the other hand, crypto-collateralized stablecoins may be more susceptible to market volatility because the underlying asset's value can fluctuate. However, this type of peg is typically more resistant to inflation and other economic factors that can devalue fiat currencies.

Interestingly, some innovative stablecoins are pegged to a basket of assets that are expected to increase in value over time. Unlike traditional fiat-pegged stablecoins, which may lose purchasing power due to inflation, these stablecoins can protect wealth over the long term.

Ultimately, the stability of a stablecoin's peg is essential for its adoption and use in the financial ecosystem. Traders, businesses and everyday users must be confident that their stablecoins will maintain their peg over time if they’re to be viable alternatives to traditional currencies.

Several notable depegging events have occurred in recent years:

How to Protect Your Trades When a Stablecoin Depegs

To mitigate risks and protect your trades during a depegging event:

While these strategies can help mitigate risks, it's important to remember that the stablecoin market constantly evolves. Be adaptable and continue to educate yourself on new developments to stay safe while holding stablecoins.

Stablecoin depegging events are stark reminders of the complexity of innovating new forms of money. While various mechanisms exist to maintain stability, market dynamics, governance issues and contract bugs can all contribute to a depegging event.

With a market capitalization of over $170 billion as of October 2024, stablecoins' future impact depends upon maintaining unwavering stability for successful integration with traditional finance. The longer stablecoins can maintain their pegs through various market conditions, the more confidence they’ll inspire in the broader financial ecosystem.

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Stablecoin Depeg: Why Does Depegging Happen With Stablecoins?

USDT, XAUt and aUSDT offer distinct advantages, depending upon whether you prioritize dollar stability, investment in gold or a combination of both.

Tether, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency landscape, has expanded its offerings with three distinct stablecoins: 

. Each of these digital assets serves a unique purpose while maintaining the core principle of stability that defines 

. But which do you think will serve you better?

This article explores the characteristics and functionalities of Tether's USDT, a dollar-pegged stablecoin; XAUt, which is backed by physical gold; and aUSDT, a synthetic dollar that’s overcollateralized by Tether Gold. 

USDT (Tether) is a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 value ratio. It combines the unrestricted nature of cryptocurrencies with the stable value of traditional currency, enabling users to transact in a digital format while minimizing volatility.

XAUt (Tether Gold) is a digital asset issued by Tether. Each XAUt token represents one fine troy ounce of physical gold stored in Swiss vaults. It combines the stability of gold with the efficiency of blockchain technology for easy transfer and fractional ownership, without the drawbacks of physical ownership.

aUSDT is an overcollateralized stablecoin backed by Tether Gold (XAUt). It maintains a stable value by tracking the U.S. dollar through the use of overcollateralization and liquidity pools.

While USDT, XAUt and aUSDT all share the goal of providing stability, each of these stablecoins offers unique advantages tailored to meet the varied needs and preferences of crypto users.

All three stablecoins aim to provide price stability, essential for their roles as mediums of exchange and stores of value. This stability is achieved by pegging their value to specific assets, ensuring their worth remains relatively constant.

The USDT, XAUt and aUSDT digital tokens run on 

 platforms. Blockchain technology's decentralized nature ensures secure, transparent and tamperproof transactions

USDT (Tether), XAUt (Tether Gold) and aUSDT (Alloy USDT) are all designed to offer stability, but each one gets its stability via different mechanisms.

USDT is pegged to the U.S. dollar and backed by fiat currency reserves, ensuring each token holds a stable value of 1 USDT to 1 USD. 

XAUt, on the other hand, is pegged to physical gold, with each token representing ownership of a specific amount of gold stored in secure vaults. Investors benefit from exposure to gold, without the hassles of physical handling and storage.

aUSDT is backed by Tether Gold (XAUt), combining the stability of U.S. dollar tracking with the added security of gold reserves, making it a unique and reliable digital asset.

USDT is a versatile digital dollar that’s widely used for trading and hedging against cryptocurrency volatility. Functioning as a digital dollar, it eases transactions across various exchanges and platforms. 

XAUt appeals to investors seeking the traditional security of gold, offering the convenience of a digital format that simplifies trading and storage when compared to physical gold. 

In uncertain times, investors often turn to gold as a safe haven. This is where the appeal of the gold-backed XAUt shines, offering enhanced security alongside the stability of a traditional stablecoin. It provides a reliable option for smoother payments, trading and savings — the ultimate stablecoin experience.

USDT is the most widely recognized stablecoin, boasting a high market capitalization. Its broad acceptance across various cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms has solidified its status as a go-to choice for traders and investors looking for stability within the volatile crypto market.

Conversely, XAUt zooms in on a niche group of investors interested in the unique blend of cryptocurrency and gold. Backed by physical gold, XAUt distinguishes itself from other stablecoins by offering a way to invest in gold without the need for physical storage, appealing to those seeking a digital form of this traditional safe-haven asset.

A newer entrant in the stablecoin market, aUSDT combines the liquidity of a stablecoin with the added security of being backed by gold. This innovative approach makes aUSDT an attractive option for investors who prioritize both stability and security in their digital assets.

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