Stablecoin issuers hold $120b in T-Bills: US Treasury

As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience in this dynamic digital market, I find myself intrigued by the recent report from the U.S. Treasury. The increasing adoption of stablecoins and the potential growth of the overall crypto market is undoubtedly an exciting development.


According to the U.S. Treasury, the rising popularity of stablecoins and the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies might lead to an increase in demand for Treasury bills, as the expansion of digital assets persists.

In the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the U.S. Treasury recognized a significant surge in blockchain adoption and cryptocurrency investment, as detailed in their report. Notably, stablecoins, such as Tether (USDT) and Circle’s (USDC), have emerged as influential figures within this burgeoning digital economy.

As per a detailed 17-page report, these “reliable, cash-equivalent” tokens offer less fluctuating digital currencies to crypto dealers and investors. It’s projected by financial experts that 80% of all cryptocurrency transactions involve pairs consisting of stablecoins.

In recent trends, issuers of stablecoins have been choosing to keep the majority of their token reserves as short-term U.S. Treasury Bills. Approximately 63% of Tether’s $120 billion in tokens are invested in these T-Bills, and crypto operators have purchased $120 billion worth of Treasuries for their stablecoin reserve holdings.

In similar fashion to those who support cryptocurrencies, the Treasury suggests that fiat-backed cryptos may gain wider usage as the trend in digital assets continues. However, unlike crypto advocates, federal researchers caution that the volatility and risk inherent in cryptocurrencies could drive a surge in demand for safer investments such as U.S. Treasuries.

As the total value of digital assets rises, there might be an upward trend in the need for U.S. Treasuries. This could occur because Treasuries act as a protective shield during market downturns, absorbing price volatility risks, and also serve as a secure on-chain haven asset.

U.S. Treasury

Investors have housed over $176 billion in stablecoin across dozens of platforms and blockchain networks. Jurisdictions like the European Union, which has a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation framework, have formally recognized fiat-tied virtual currencies.

Discussions on stablecoin regulation, involving both Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, are advancing and could potentially lead to the drafting of bills. Some analysts predict that these bills might permit banks to create assets similar to USDT (Tether).

Recently, newcomers have been looking at specific products with optimism spreading across the stablecoin market. Notably, the blockchain titan Ripple unveiled its RLUSD, while it’s also rumored that Trump’s World Liberty Finance may be preparing to enter the stablecoin arena.

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2024-10-30 22:52