Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that is designed to maintain a stable value relative to an underlying asset, such as a fiat currency or a commodity. These coins are typically backed by a reserve of the underlying asset, which helps to ensure that the price of the coin remains stable. Stablecoins are becoming increasingly popular as they offer the potential to provide a more stable store of value than traditional cryptocurrencies, which tend to be subject to large price swings.

There are several types of stablecoins, each with its own approach to maintaining a stable value. The most common types are:

Fiat-collateralized stablecoins, which are backed by a reserve of fiat currency,

Crypto-collateralized stablecoins, which are backed by a reserve of another cryptocurrency, and

Synthetic stablecoins, these are stablecoins, where a smart contract manages a cryptocurrency that is designed to have a stable value.

The history of stablecoins

Stablecoins have been around since 2014, when the first stablecoin, known as BitUSD, was released. Since then, many other stablecoins have been created, with a variety of different approaches to maintaining a stable value. Most stablecoins are fiat-collateralized, meaning they are backed by a reserve of fiat currencies such as the US Dollar, Euro, or Japanese Yen.

Stablecoin usage has risen, especially in 2020 and 2021, as the DeFi market boomed, and more stablecoins were being created to meet the high demand for stable assets on the crypto market.

Advantages of fiat currency pegged stablecoins

The main advantage of stablecoins is that they are designed to remain stable, meaning they will not experience the same level of price volatility as other cryptocurrencies. This makes them an attractive option for those who want to store their wealth, make payments, or engage in financial activities without having to worry about the fluctuating price of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, stablecoins can provide a bridge between traditional fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, allowing users to take advantage of the benefits of both.

Advantage of Crypto-collateralized stablecoins

Crypto-collateralized stablecoins are stablecoins that are backed by a reserve of another cryptocurrency, rather than a fiat currency. Since crypto-collateralized stablecoins are built on blockchain platforms, they are resistant to censorship, which means that transactions cannot be blocked or reversed by any central authority.

Risks involved with using stablecoins

Stablecoins, like any other financial instrument, pose certain risks to the financial system. Some of the main risks include:

Credit risk: Stablecoins that are pegged to a fiat currency, such as the US dollar, are subject to the credit risk of the issuer. If the issuer is not able to meet its obligations, the stablecoin’s value may be impacted.

Liquidity risk: If a large number of holders of a stablecoin decide to redeem their coins for the underlying asset at the same time, the issuer may not have enough liquidity to meet the demand, which could lead to a drop in the stablecoin’s value.

Regulatory risk: Stablecoins are subject to the same regulations and laws as other financial instruments. As regulations evolve, stablecoins may be subject to new rules and restrictions, which could impact their value.

Reputation risk: If a stablecoin issuer is involved in any scandal or illegal activities, it could damage the stablecoin’s reputation and negatively impact its value.

The risks involved with synthetic stablecoins

The biggest risk associated with synthetic stablecoins that are backed by an algorithmic central bank is the risk of the algorithm itself. This includes the risk that the algorithm may not function as intended, leading to an imbalance in supply and demand, and resulting in a deviation of the stablecoin’s value from its target peg. The algorithm may also be vulnerable to hacking or malicious attacks, which could lead to a loss of funds or the collapse of the entire system. Additionally, the algorithm may be subject to bugs or errors, which could cause unexpected behaviour and lead to losses for its holders.

Stablecoin Issuance & Management Platform

We provide a secure, compliant tokenization infrastructure, NEXUS. You can connect to NEXUS through our APIs.

More information
connected token platform

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you

Henri de Jong

Chief Business Development Officer

Quantoz N.V.
Europalaan 100
3526 KS Utrecht
The Netherlands

Registration number: 86401386





    Published On: January 30th, 2023 / Categories: Publications / Tags: , , , , /

    Webinar

    DLT Market Infrastructure

    Event by: Quantoz Blockchain Technology
    Where: Online
    When: Wed, 27 Sep. 12 PM – 12:30 PM (CET)

    Register for free