A stablecoin is a class of cryptocurrency backed by a reserve asset and aims to offer stable prices.
Cryptocurrencies: What is a Stablecoin? Stablecoins have gained popularity as they aim to deliver the best of both currency methods. That is the immediate processing, protection, and confidentiality of cryptocurrency payments and the volatility-free stable fiat currency valuations. While bitcoin has become the most common cryptocurrency, its valuations suffer from high volatility. For example, in the last 12 months, bitcoin ranged from $3,500 to $10,500. Its current price is nearly $9,000.
It is normal to see the cryptocurrency making jumps of 10 percent in any direction within a few hours. Even its intraday price fluctuations can be crazy. Since volatility can be a nice thing to options traders, it can represent unseen risks for more traditional traders. A stablecoin links to a cryptocurrency, fiat currency, or commodities (such as rare metals or industrial metals). you can trade it in any exchange. Redeemable money, services, or fiat cash back Stablecoins.
The benefit of asset-backed cryptocurrencies is that coins stabilize by assets that fluctuate outside the cryptocurrency space. They coupe with the underlying asset, reducing financial risk. Bitcoin and altcoins do not have a clear link to the traditional economy. Even without quitting the market or taking refuge in asset-backed stablecoins, cryptocurrency investors can not avoid widespread price falls or sharp price swings.
Importance of Stablecoins
There are 1,7 billion unbanked adults in 2017, according to the worldwide Findex data published by the World Bank in 2018. Also, in 2017, China housed 225 million unbanked individuals, and in India, 190 million people. Also, according to a 2017 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC) study, the United States is not excluded from such a challenge. 25 percent of U.S. households have the unbanked or underbanked status. (See how people can use Cardano as a common currency for Africa)
As a digital currency you can use to make payments worldwide, Stablecoins provide the opportunity to support this large unbanked and underbanked community. Stablecoins can replace conventional currencies, allowing quicker, safer, simpler, and cheaper cross-border transfers from migrant workers who want to send money back home to companies that transfer to overseas suppliers or employees.
The projected global cross-border payments revenue for 2018 was $230 billion, according to the Global Payment Study 2019 by McKinsey & Company. More than 250 million individuals transfer over $500 billion in yearly remittances. The estimated process of transporting money overseas in 2020 is around 7 percent. By 2030, the World Bank plans to slash remittance fees to 3 percent. In a recent webinar, Henri Arslanian, Chairman of the FinTech Association of Hong Kong and PwC Global Crypto Chief, stated that stablecoins have the potential to make a huge impact in cross-border transactions.
Why do we need to use stablecoins?
Stablecoins aren’t subject to intense market fluctuations caused by other cryptocurrencies. For instance, in 2010, a developer purchased a 10,000 bitcoin (~$30) pizza. The same order cost $82 M earlier this year, all due to the dramatic price change of bitcoin. As a result, many organizations are suspicious of crypto as a legitimate payment tool.
For example, in 2014, Microsoft first started accepting bitcoin as payment, only to put a small stop to all of it earlier this year due to uncertainty. Although other organizations are starting to embrace crypto, widespread adoption is still far away. But at the other hand, Stablecoins exploit the advantages of cryptocurrencies, such as transparency, protection, immutability, digital wallets, easy transactions, low fees, and privacy, without losing the trust and stability guarantees that come with the use of fiat currency (such as the US dollar or Euro).
Stablecoins bring value to various industries and individuals who must make international payments rapidly and securely. People should not worry about sending a speculative asset in both scenarios that could suddenly decrease in value. For example, people in underbanked societies can use this type of digital currency to make transactions, particularly if they live in areas where economic instability is a frequent concern. This technology makes it possible to use a global currency that, in principle, is not subject to localized laws and circumstances. Stablecoins also provide substantial benefits across the ecosystem of financial services.
Bottom Line
The availability of stablecoins increases at an astonishing scale over the last several months, as well as some project the total amount of stablecoins to increase during the next years, particularly with companies like Libra, Visa, or Central Banks joining the room (See Visa published a patent for Ethereum based digital coin). Many expect Stablecoins to pave the way for cryptocurrencies to become mainstream. Moreover, with a large global unbanked and underbanked population and individuals and companies searching for quicker, simpler, and cheaper ways to transfer payments across borders, stablecoins have tremendous growth potential.