Stablecoins – What are They? How Do They Work?
A Stablecoin is a cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to an external asset, such as fiat currency or gold, to maintain a stable value. Some cryptocurrencies offer several benefits; the most notable is that they do not require a central authority to process transactions, thereby enabling their use worldwide. However, crypto’s crucial debit is that crypto prices fluctuate frequently.
Therefore, these assets are complex for the public to use. Typically, people want to know how much money they have to make financial decisions. The inherently unpredictable nature of crypto contrasts with the price stability enjoyed by money. The value of currency, e.g., the U.S. dollar, is also affected by changes in value, but to a lesser extent than cryptocurrencies.
Stablecoin Overview
Stablecoins aim to mitigate value fluctuations by pegging crypto to a stable external reference – typically fiat currencies. Fiat is a currency issued by the government and used in daily transactions. Examples include the United States dollar ($), the pound sterling (£), and the Euro (€).
Generally, the reality propelling Stablecoin will comprise a” reserve “where it steadily stores the asset or basket of means supporting Stablecoin. They are pegged to tangible – world assets. Whenever a Stablecoin holder withdraws their assets, the total value of the withdrawal is subtracted from the standby cash reserve.
An intricate type of Stablecoin is collateralised with cryptocurrencies other than fiat currencies, yet it is still designed to track a conventional asset.
Maker is a renowned Stablecoin supplier that uses this medium and achieves this milestone using the “Vault, which locks up a holder’s crypto security. As soon as the intelligent contract proves that the guarantee is in place, the contract makes the holder eligible for a DAI loan.
Algorithmic Stablecoins are another class of Stablecoins. It is not collateralised. They are either burned or minted to preserve the coin’s value.
Categories of Stablecoin Collateral
- Fiat: It is the most common collateral for Stablecoin; the most popular being the U.S dollar.
- Precious metals: Some cryptocurrencies are pegged to precious metals, e.g., gold & Silver.
- Cryptocurrencies Some Stablecoins use the likes of Ether, Ethereum’s network native coin, as security.
Common Stablecoins
- Tether (USDT): Tether is one of the most widely used Stablecoins, pegged to the value of the US dollar. It is known for its high liquidity and is widely used for trading and transactions in the cryptocurrency space.
- USD Coin (USDC): USDC is another primary Stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and is supported by several major cryptocurrency exchanges. It’s known for its transparency and regulatory compliance.
- DAI: DAI is unique compared to other Stablecoins as it is decentralised and maintains its value by using smart contracts and collateral on the Ethereum blockchain. It is not pegged to any specific fiat currency but aims to maintain a stable value around $1 USD.
- Binance USD (BUSD): Binance USD is a stablecoin issued by Binance and pegged to the US dollar. It’s backed by reserves of US dollars held by Paxos Trust Company.
- TrueUSD (TUSD): TrueUSD is a USD-backed stablecoin that operates similarly to USDC and USDT, aiming to provide stability and transparency through regular audits and a reserve-backed system.
- Paxos Standard (PAX): Paxos Standard is a regulated USD-backed Stablecoin issued by Paxos Trust Company. It’s designed to be fully collateralised by US dollars held in FDIC-insured banks.
- HUSD: HUSD is an ERC-20 Stablecoin that is backed by multiple Stablecoins, aiming to provide users with a diversified and balanced portfolio.
Finally, there are some drawbacks to Stablecoins, mainly due to their typical structure. Hence, it presents distinct challenges compared with other cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency was designed to replace third-party firms that manage users’ funds. These third-party firms can block certain transactions. However, some Stablecoins can also block certain transactions.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.











