一文读懂“稳定币”，是新的货币战争？还是普通人的风口？

Core Viewpoint - The discussion around stablecoins is gaining momentum globally, with optimistic views suggesting they could significantly enhance the cryptocurrency market, despite their current market cap being only around $300 billion to $3000 billion. The U.S. Treasury Secretary has indicated that stablecoins could increase the demand for U.S. Treasury bonds by $2 trillion in the short term, compared to the current figure of approximately $300 billion [2]. Group 1: Definition and Stages of Stablecoins - Stablecoins are a type of blockchain digital currency that is pegged to specific assets, primarily the U.S. dollar, which distinguishes them from volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin [3]. - The development of stablecoins can be categorized into four stages: 1. Emergence (before 2018): Limited price fluctuations with the first stablecoin, Tether (USDT), launched in 2014 [6]. 2. Rapid Growth (2019-2021): The DeFi ecosystem's rise led to increased demand for stablecoins, particularly during the "DeFi Summer" of 2020 [6]. 3. Regulatory Adjustment (2022-2023): The collapse of TerraUSD (UST) raised concerns about stability and prompted regulatory scrutiny [8]. 4. Resurgence (2024-present): Following the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs, stablecoins are experiencing renewed demand as intermediaries in cryptocurrency transactions [8]. Group 2: Risks and Challenges - The primary risks associated with stablecoins stem from the compliance and operational management of issuing entities, with insufficient transparency regarding reserve assets being a significant concern [12]. - The collapse of UST highlighted the potential for a "death spiral" effect, where panic selling leads to further declines in associated assets, exacerbating instability [13]. - The concentration of wealth within the stablecoin ecosystem is problematic, with 99% of wallets holding less than $10,000, while a small number of wallets control a significant portion of the total supply [16]. Group 3: Regulatory Developments - Recent legislative efforts in the U.S. and Hong Kong aim to establish regulatory frameworks for stablecoins, with the U.S. Senate passing the GENIUS Act and Hong Kong enacting the Stablecoin Ordinance [17][22]. - The U.S. framework emphasizes the need for stablecoins to be backed by high-quality liquid assets, while Hong Kong's regulations focus on ensuring that issuers maintain sufficient reserves and comply with transparency requirements [18]. Group 4: Market Implications - The potential for stablecoins to act as a reservoir for U.S. Treasury bonds is debated, with concerns that they cannot be printed indefinitely without undermining trust [21]. - The current demand for short-term U.S. Treasury bonds from stablecoin issuers may not address the broader issues facing U.S. debt, as the focus is primarily on high-yield investments [21]. - The development of stablecoins is seen as a strategic move to solidify the dominance of the U.S. dollar in international payments, with regulatory support aimed at integrating stablecoins into the financial system [21].