Stablecoins - Dispelling Misconceptions And Explaining Their Superpowers

The internet has changed life as we know it - with a ride (hello Uber) and even pre-packaged dinner ingredients delivered to your door (hello meal kits) almost instantly. It’s easy to look up products and access thousands of reviews by online influencers (hello Instagram) and ‘meeting up’ could mean screen time on Zoom, Teams or Google Hangouts. It’s difficult to imagine not being instantly and digitally connected; large-scale digital transformation has led to a tidal wave of innovation.

Janine Grainger -Founder, Easy Crypto

Similarly, the finance industry right now is on the brink of a seismic shift, where the digitisation of assets, transactions and financial instruments promises to change the fabric of our global economy. At the forefront of this transformation are stablecoins.

As is typical of any new innovation, stablecoins have found themselves under the scrutiny of well-known commentators, with some questioning their legitimacy and value. (One prominent media commentator recently chose to mock Easy Crypto’s stablecoin launch without understanding the stablecoin proposition or coming to us to learn more).

In this piece, Janine Grainger (Founder, Easy Crypto) explains some stablecoin basics; busts some of the myths out there and explains the superpowers that will see them play a pivotal role in the evolving landscape of digital currencies.

First things first - what are stablecoins?

Stablecoins represent a category of cryptocurrencies backed by reserve assets, such as fiat currency or precious metals. They have gained popularity for their ability to combine the features of crypto - rapid transaction processing, security and efficiency - with the trust and reliability of an underlying “real world” asset.

The very name 'stablecoin' highlights one of its key attributes — stability. In a world where the value of crypto can swing wildly, stablecoins provide a reliable anchor by being ‘pegged’ to established fiat currencies like the US Dollar or the New Zealand Dollar. This ‘pegging’ mechanism ensures that the value of stablecoins remains relatively steady, mitigating the volatility inherent in the broader cryptomarket.

Importantly, stablecoins were never designed to be speculative investments that promise exponential returns. Unlike more volatile cryptos that can experience significant price fluctuations and ‘bull runs’, stablecoins provide stable value. Their primary purpose is to bridge the gap between traditional fiat currencies and the digital realm, offering a familiar and stable medium of exchange in the crypto space.

Let’s bust some myths…

“Stablecoins aren’t regulated…”

Contrary to the notion that stablecoins operate in a regulatory ‘grey area’, many stablecoin projects prioritise compliance and transparency. When issued by reputable organisations, they often undergo regular audits to verify that the digital assets backing them align with their stated peg. This commitment to transparency not only builds trust among users but also fosters a regulatory environment that recognises stablecoins as valuable contributors to the financial ecosystem.

“You can’t get good returns from stablecoins…”

Stablecoins have been widely criticised for their lack of investment opportunity; but this is only true for the uninformed. In reality, they offer a unique advantage by enabling users to engage in decentralised finance (DeFi) opportunities which provide a range of ways to earn yield on holding coins.

> Stake your claim to profits

Staking stablecoins offers a cool way to make your money work for you. If you add your coins into a ‘liquidity pool’ (such as Uniswap), you gain a twofold advantage. Firstly, by contributing to liquidity, users actively facilitate smoother trading experiences for others within the ecosystem. Secondly, and perhaps more enticingly, this allows individuals to earn passive ‘staking’ rewards. In essence, your stablecoins not only remain secure under your custody but also have the potential to generate additional value through staking rewards.

> Be ready and waiting

Stablecoins also empower users with a unique ability to navigate the crypto landscape strategically. If an investor wishes to remain on the sidelines, waiting for an opportune moment to enter the market, stablecoins serve as an ideal ‘parking spot’ for funds rather than have to drop out to fiat currency and then move back into another cryptocurrency. With a simple and cost-effective ‘swap’, users can transition from stablecoins to other forms of crypto when market conditions align with their investment goals.

> Gains for good

Importantly, stablecoins are often criticised for their inability to capitalise on interest. When NZDD was launched as an MVP, Easy Crypto committed to giving back proceeds from the assets under management to the crypto community through grants (this is already happening!) and interest payments (this is under development). These offerings will benefit users through both direct income opportunities and also supporting the development of new innovations, use cases and improvements for the NZDD ecosystem.

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