Makerdao, a leading decentralized finance (defi) protocol, has revealed new concepts to its Endgame plan, introducing two new stablecoins: newstable and puredai. This strategic initiative aims to replace the existing DAI stablecoin and bolster the Makerdao ecosystem. Maker’s Endgame Plan Brings Newstable and Puredai to Replace DAI Makerdao, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) known for […]
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Lightning Labs CEO Elizabeth Stark States Stablecoins Are Coming to the Lightning Network
Elizabeth Stark, CEO of Lightning Labs, stated that tokenized assets, such as stablecoins, are next to appear on top of the lightning network (LN), Bitcoin’s layer two scaling protocol. Stark highlighted the transformative possibilities of this upgrade, stressing that it would allow users to complete stablecoin payments leveraging affordable LN transaction fees. Lightning Labs CEO […]
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Stablecoins Gain Ground as Global Financial Asset
According to Chainalysis’ “Crypto Spring Report,” stablecoin adoption and market importance are seeing a rapid increase in 2024, with a significant rise in the number of addresses holding them and their use in on-chain transactions, making them a global financial asset. Legislation efforts in the U.S., such as the Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act, aim to […]
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BRICS Bloc Mulls Stablecoins, CBDC-Based System for International Settlements
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov revealed that the BRICS bloc has been considering the use of stablecoins for its common rail payment systems. In an interview with TV BRICS, Ryabkov stated that the use of stablecoins and a connection linking the CBDCs of the participants were studied as part of the integration processes of […]
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DeFi And Web3 Gaming Dominate Q1: Record Transactions Leave Stablecoins In The Dust, Report
In a recent report published by QuickNode, the first quarter of 2024 showed the dominance of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the notable growth of Web3 gaming in the crypto industry, which outperformed the stablecoin sector in key metrics, indicating investor preference and market sentiment during this period.
Hopes For Second ‘DeFi Summer’
Per the report, DeFi experienced a significant resurgence in Q1’24, fueled by a surge in developer and user activity, particularly on chains like Solana (SOL) and Base.
This resurgence has sparked growing hopes of a second ‘DeFi Summer,’ as DeFi projects embrace new concepts such as staking, liquid staking, restaking, and liquid restaking, which have been catalysts for its growth. Notably, staking now represents a substantial portion of DeFi’s Total Value Locked (TVL).
While stablecoins remain the top spot for address activity, DeFi surpassed stablecoins in an essential metric: transaction counts.
DeFi emerged as the leader in transactions for Q1’24, averaging nearly 7 million daily transactions. Furthermore, DeFi led in fees spent, gas usage, and the overall number of projects despite comprising only approximately 4% of the total crypto market cap.
The TVL for yield-generating protocols within DeFi witnessed steady growth, climbing from .5 billion in Q3’23 to .7 billion in Q1’24. According to QuickNode, this rally signifies a return of confidence and liquidity to the DeFi markets as investors seek opportunities for yield generation.
Players Take Control With Web3 Gaming
In parallel, Web3-based gaming has emerged as a significant departure from conventional gaming platforms. By leveraging cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), Web3 gaming offers players new and decentralized gaming.
Players now have the opportunity to actively participate in games and earn rewards, shifting control away from centralized entities within the gaming ecosystem.
The report highlights the growth of Web3 gaming, surpassing stablecoins in transaction volume and achieving the highest year-over-year (YoY) active address growth across all categories, with a 155% increase in active addresses during Q1 ’24.
This surge in player engagement and participation is evident through the exponential growth of transactions within Web3 gaming, which experienced a staggering 370% YoY increase.
The Appeal Of Stablecoins
Although stablecoins continue to lead in daily active users, representing over 41% of all Web3 user activity, other categories have shown higher quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) activity growth, indicating potential catch-up.
Tether’s USDT remains the dominant stablecoin, controlling approximately 75% of the market cap. Notably, Circle’s USDC has taken the lead in volume and average transaction size, partly due to Coinbase’s efforts to integrate USDC on its platform and promote its use on its Layer 2 network, Base.
In addition, the report notes that stablecoins have proven attractive to both new and experienced users, offering stability and value predictability, especially during periods of market uncertainty.
QuickNode attributes the surge in stablecoin user activity in Q1’24 to several factors, including the approval and listing of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, the anticipation of Bitcoin’s next Halving event, the devaluation of fiat currencies, the popularity of low-volatility assets, and the strength of the USD, to which over 90% of stablecoin transactions are anchored.
Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com
Study Finds 70% to 80% of Secondary Market Transactions Involve Crypto and Stablecoins
Around 70% to 80% of transactions in the crypto secondary market transactions occur between crypto assets and stablecoins. The South Korean government’s welcoming stance, coupled with the high popularity of crypto assets in the country, are among the reasons why the won is now the second most-used fiat currency. Decline in 2021/2 Crypto-to-Stablecoin Volumes According […]
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Celo Cements Its Stablecoin Allegiance: Transaction Fees Now Can Be Paid With Stablecoins
Celo, a low-fee, usability-focused blockchain network, has approved a proposal to allow transaction fees to be paid with stablecoins. Network users can now transact only by holding USDC in their wallets, abstracting the complexity of holding other tokens. This also benefits newcomers, making it easier for them to make transactions. Celo Aims for Usability in […]
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Turkish Citizens Seek Refuge in Gold and Stablecoins Amid Surging 67% Inflation Rate
According to February 2024’s latest inflation data, Turkey faces an inflation rate exceeding 67%, amid ongoing currency devaluation and a declining lira against the U.S. dollar. Recent findings suggest that in an effort to safeguard their wealth, Turks are increasingly turning to gold, with smuggling hitting unprecedented levels. Additionally, there is a growing interest among […]
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TUSD’s Supply Halves as It Drops to 8th Rank Among Stablecoins
Over the past week, the stablecoin trueusd (TUSD) experienced a notable decrease in its supply. As of March 19, 2024, the circulation was approximately 1.1 billion TUSD, which then plummeted to just 612 million. Supply Slash Sees TUSD Fall From Top 5 Stablecoin Rankings to 8th Position Previously ranked among the top five dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies […]
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Stablecoins Steal The Spotlight: $150 Billion Market Cap, $122 Billion Daily Trades
Stablecoins have recently achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 0 billion in market capitalization, with daily trading volume reaching 2 billion. This achievement marks a notable resurgence and growth in the stablecoin sector, with implications for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Market Dynamics And Growth Factors
Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a stable value by pegging their price to a reserve asset, such as the US dollar or other fiat currencies. They serve as a crucial bridge between traditional finance and the crypto space, offering stability and liquidity for users and investors.
The recent surge in the stablecoin market can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the growing demand for stable assets in the volatile crypto market has driven increased adoption of stablecoins as a safe haven for traders and investors. Additionally, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms has fueled the demand for stablecoins as a means of conducting transactions, providing liquidity, and earning yields.
Tether’s Dominance And Market Impact
Tether (USDT), one of the most widely used stablecoins, has played a significant role in driving the growth of the stablecoin market. With a market capitalization exceeding 0 billion, Tether’s dominance underscores its position as a key player in the crypto space.
Undoubtedly dominant in this sector, Tether commands a 70% market share. With a market capitalization of over billion, USD Coin (USDC), the second largest stablecoin, grants Circle’s stablecoin a market share exceeding 20%. At the time of writing, DAI held a 3% market share and .7 billion, placing it in third position.
Tether’s market impact extends beyond its role as a stable asset, as it has faced scrutiny and regulatory challenges due to concerns about its reserve backing and transparency. Despite these challenges, Tether’s resilience and continued dominance highlight the strong demand for stablecoins and their utility in the digital economy.
Crypto Enthusiasts Celebrate Stablecoins’ Rising Market Cap
The crypto community is cheering the rising market cap of stablecoins, seeing it as a sign of coming prosperity.
Total Stablecoin Mcap:
Mar 21st. 7b.
Feb 21st. 8b.
Jan 21st. 3b.
Dec 21st. 0b.
Nov 21st. 7b.
Oct 21st. 4b.it is impossible and stupid to not be bullish on DeFi whilst this chart is just up and to the right for the last 6 months. pic.twitter.com/qkcERkIXi8
— ZeroToTom (@zerototom) March 21, 2024
A growing market cap suggests more money is flowing into crypto, providing much-needed liquidity for trading and potentially pushing prices up. Additionally, stablecoins offer a safe haven during market dips, potentially encouraging more investors to enter the broader crypto market. This increased comfort and investment could fuel the entire market’s growth.
Implications For The Crypto Ecosystem
The surpassing of 0 billion in stablecoin market capitalization signifies a maturing and expanding crypto ecosystem. Stablecoins have become essential infrastructure in the digital economy, enabling seamless transactions, cross-border payments, and financial services innovation.
Featured image from Xverse, chart from TradingView