PayPal USD (PYUSD): The Rise of a New U.S. Dollar Stablecoin

Stablecoins have emerged as a groundbreaking solution in the cryptocurrency landscape, offering the best of both worlds: the decentralized benefits of digital currencies, and the stability of traditional fiat. By pegging their value to stable assets, stablecoins address the notorious volatility associated with cryptocurrencies, making them more palatable for everyday transactions and as a store of value. 

Amidst the growing roster of stablecoins, a notable entrant has made its debut: PayPal USD. This article will delve into this new stablecoin and explore its features, origins and potential impact in the digital finance realm.

Key Takeaways:

• PayPal USD is a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin designed for digital payments and web3 environments. It’s issued by PayPal in collaboration with Paxos. 
• PayPal USD is backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. treasuries and similar cash equivalents. 
• Eligible U.S. PayPal users can hold, purchase, sell, send and receive PayPal USD. Users can also use PayPal USD to fund purchases.

• Looking to trade PYUSD tokens? Bybit will soon offer the PYUSD/USDT Spot trading pair for trading!

What Is PayPal USD?

Fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. treasuries and similar cash equivalents, PayPal USD can be redeemed 1:1 for U.S. dollars on both the PayPal app and website.

History of PayPal USD

PayPal, a renowned name in the digital payment sector, has always been at the forefront of financial innovation. Recognizing the potential of blockchain and the emerging web3 environment, the company decided to venture into the realm of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Thus far, PayPal USD is the only stablecoin its platform supports. 

The inspiration behind this project was the desire to bridge the gap between traditional fiat currencies and the digital world, ensuring seamless transactions in both realms.

What Does PayPal USD Aim to Achieve?

PayPal USD aims to transform payments across web3 and digitally native environments. With the rise of cryptocurrencies has come the need for a stable instrument that can easily connect to traditional fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. PayPal USD addresses this need by offering a stablecoin that reduces friction in virtual payments, facilitates instant money transfers and fosters the continued global expansion into digital assets by major brands.

How Does PayPal USD Work?

PayPal USD operates as an ERC-20 token issued on the Ethereum blockchain. It's backed 100% by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. treasuries and similar cash equivalents. As with other USD-backed stablecoins, users can redeem PayPal USD for U.S. dollars at a 1-to-1 ratio. 

Designed for digital payments and web3, PYUSD is compatible with widely used crypto exchanges, wallets and web3 apps. Furthermore, it powers experiences within the PayPal ecosystem and can easily be adopted by crypto exchanges. 

Features of PayPal USD

In the upcoming weeks, eligible users in the U.S. with PayPal Balance accounts will progressively be able to use the following features.

Buy and Sell

Source: PayPal

On the PayPal app or PayPal website, users in the U.S. can purchase and sell PayPal USD at an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1 PYUSD. There are no transaction fees involved in this process.

Convert

Source: PayPal

Once you’ve purchased PYUSD, you can then use the stablecoin to purchase other supported cryptocurrencies on the PayPal network. Alternatively, you can also use other cryptocurrencies to purchase PYUSD. This can be done with the Convert feature on PayPal. However, please note that fees will apply for this process, and will vary depending upon the USD value of the cryptocurrency that you convert. 

Pay

Source: PayPal

Purchasing items with crypto has never been easier. If you don’t already have a crypto credit or debit card (such as the Bybit Card), you can still use the PayPal app to purchase items from online stores. Your PYUSD will instantly be converted into fiat to pay for your items. 

Send and Receive

Source: PayPal

Looking for a way to transfer crypto to your family and friends in the U.S.? As long as they have a PayPal account, you can send them PayPal USD without any fees. In fact, you can even transfer your PYUSD to Ethereum wallet addresses that quickly and easily accept PYUSD.

PayPal USD Road Map

Since its inception on Aug 7, 2023, PayPal USD has been rolled out to eligible U.S. customers, allowing them to hold, purchase, sell, send and receive the stablecoin. In the near future, the company plans to expand the availability of PYUSD, ensuring more users can benefit from its features. Additionally, there are plans to make it available on platforms such as Venmo.

PYUSD Tokenomics

PYUSD represents the next phase of U.S. dollars on the blockchain. The Paxos Trust Company, which holds a full license as a specialized trust entity, oversees the issuance of PayPal USD and is under the regulatory purview of the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). In 2022, NYDFS granted PayPal a BitLicense, following an earlier conditional license. 

From September 2023 onward, Paxos plans to release a detailed monthly report on the assets backing PayPal USD, offering full transparency to users. Additionally, an external accounting agency will verify the worth of these reserve assets in line with guidelines set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). 

Where to Buy PYUSD

Looking to trade PYUSD tokens? Look no further as Bybit will soon offer the PYUSD/USDT Spot trading pair! To get started, you’ll need to first establish a Bybit account and fund it with cryptocurrency before navigating to the PYUSD/USDT Spot trading page.

Stay tuned to our Bybit Announcements page as well as our Bybit Twitter page for more updates!

Is PYUSD A Good Investment?

Evaluating the investment potential of PYUSD requires a comprehensive understanding of both its strengths and potential risks. On the positive side, PYUSD is backed by a well-established and reputable company, PayPal. This association lends a degree of credibility and trust to the stablecoin, as PayPal has a longstanding history in the digital payment sector and has consistently demonstrated its commitment to innovation and security.

However, like all cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are not without their risks. Even though they’re designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to traditional assets, external factors can still influence their stability. A case in point is TerraUSD, another stablecoin, which crashed in May 2022. Such instances underscore the inherent volatility and unpredictability of the cryptocurrency market.

While PYUSD presents an intriguing investment opportunity, given its association with a trusted brand like PayPal, potential investors should approach with caution. It's imperative to conduct thorough research, understand the intricacies of the stablecoin market, and apply the golden rule of investing: only commit funds that you’re prepared to lose.

Closing Thoughts

PayPal USD marks a significant step in bridging traditional finance with the digital world. With its robust features and the backing of a trusted name like PayPal, it holds promise for the future of digital payments. As the landscape of finance evolves, innovations like PayPal USD will play a pivotal role in shaping its direction.

#Bybit #TheCryptoArk