Since Bitcoin’s
beginnings in 2009, cryptocurrencies have gone a long way. While Bitcoin and
other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Litecoin have grown in popularity,
they remain highly volatile and unsuitable for daily transactions. Stablecoins
come into play here.
Stablecoins are
cryptocurrencies that are meant to keep their value stable and provide
stability for routine transactions. We will look at the evolution of
stablecoins, from Tether to Central Bank Digital Currencies, in this article.
(CBDCs).
Tether Is
the World’s First Stablecoin
Tether (USDT)
was the first stablecoin to gain traction in the cryptocurrency market. Tether,
which was launched in 2014, is a stablecoin that is tied to the US dollar, with
one USDT equaling one US dollar. Tether is intended to provide stability for
cryptocurrency traders and investors, who can use it to hedge against market
volatility. Tether has grown to become one of the most popular
cryptocurrencies, with a market worth of more than $60 billion as of March 2023.
Alternative
Stablecoins
Other
stablecoins have emerged after the debut of Tether, including USDC, DAI, and
TrueUSD. These stablecoins are intended to give the same level of stability as
Tether, but through various techniques. USDC, for example, is supported by a
group of firms, including Coinbase and Circle, and is routinely audited to
ensure that it is entirely backed by US dollars. DAI, on the other hand, is a
decentralized stablecoin backed by other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum.
Stablecoins
have grown in popularity among cryptocurrency enthusiasts, although they are
not commonly accepted in the mainstream market. Central Bank Digital Currencies
(CBDCs) come into play here. CBDCs are digital counterparts to fiat currencies
issued by central banks. CBDCs, unlike cryptocurrencies, are backed by the
government’s complete confidence and credit, giving them a higher level of
trust and stability.
CBDCs are still
in their infancy, but some central banks, including the People’s Bank of China
and the European Central Bank, have begun to investigate the concept. CBDCs
have the ability to change the way we use money by providing various advantages
over existing fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies.
CBDCs Have
Many Advantages
CBDCs can
provide a more efficient and secure payment method, which is one of their
primary advantages. CBDCs can be transferred and received quickly, eliminating
the need for third-party middlemen such as banks or payment…
