沈建光：厘清稳定币的四重属性

Core Insights - Stablecoins are a composite of crypto assets, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), third-party payments, and money market funds, leveraging blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for decentralized transactions [1][3] - The discussion around stablecoins has intensified, with various opinions on their nature and implications, highlighting the need for clarity on their development and regulatory frameworks [2][3] Group 1: Technical Architecture and Operational Model - Stablecoins are issued on public blockchains to ensure decentralization and anonymity, with USDT as a primary example, utilizing multiple blockchain platforms [4] - The operational model of stablecoins involves a centralized issuance process where users deposit fiat currency to receive stablecoins, which can then be freely traded [5] - The stability of stablecoins relies on strict management of reserve funds, which are audited and publicly reported to maintain value stability [6][7] Group 2: Comparison with Crypto Assets - Both stablecoins and crypto assets are based on blockchain technology, but stablecoins are designed to maintain a stable value, primarily serving as payment tools rather than investment products [8][10] - The issuance and management of stablecoins are centralized, contrasting with the decentralized nature of native crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum [9] Group 3: Comparison with CBDCs - Stablecoins and CBDCs both represent the tokenization of fiat currency, but stablecoins require 100% reserve backing and do not create new money, unlike CBDCs which can involve monetary creation [11][12] - The underlying technologies differ, with CBDCs often relying on centralized systems while stablecoins utilize decentralized blockchain technology for transactions [13] Group 4: Comparison with Third-Party Payments - Stablecoins and third-party payment systems like WeChat Pay serve similar payment functions, both pegged to fiat currency, but stablecoins operate on decentralized networks [16][18] - The investment scope of reserve funds for stablecoins is broader than that of third-party payment systems, which are limited to central bank deposits [18] Group 5: Comparison with Money Market Funds - Both stablecoins and money market funds aim to maintain value stability through limited investment scopes, primarily in high-quality, liquid financial assets [20] - The revenue-sharing mechanisms differ, with stablecoin issuers retaining investment income while money market fund investors bear the risks and rewards [22] Group 6: Market Growth and Future Outlook - The market size of stablecoins has rapidly increased from $125 billion in mid-2023 to over $260 billion, with projections suggesting it could reach $3.7 trillion by 2030 [23] - The evolving regulatory frameworks across various countries are expected to enhance the stability and acceptance of stablecoins in the global financial system [23]