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稳定币的技术原理与信任逻辑 | 金融与科技
清华金融评论·2025-09-17 09:23

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the growing importance of stablecoins in the digital finance landscape, highlighting their advantages over traditional cryptocurrencies due to their price stability and regulatory compliance, which makes them increasingly integrated into the mainstream financial system [3][4][5]. Summary by Sections Current Status and Characteristics of Stablecoins - Stablecoins are digital assets based on blockchain technology that maintain price stability through a "anchoring mechanism" to fiat currencies. They have evolved from being used primarily in cryptocurrency exchanges to being integral in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities such as lending and staking, as well as in cross-border payments and trade settlements due to their fast settlement speeds and low transaction costs [5][6]. Development History of Stablecoins - The development of stablecoins has transitioned from exploration to regulation. The launch of USDT in 2014 marked the introduction of fiat-collateralized stablecoins, which quickly gained traction. The introduction of DAI in 2017 pioneered decentralized stablecoins. The demand for stablecoins surged during the DeFi boom in 2020, but the collapse of algorithmic stablecoin UST in 2022 raised regulatory concerns. Recent regulations, such as the U.S. GENIUS Act and Hong Kong's Stablecoin Regulation, have laid a foundation for compliant development [6][7]. Market Characteristics - The stablecoin market is characterized by concentration, with the total market cap exceeding $280 billion as of August 2025, where USDT holds about 60% market share. The majority of stablecoin transactions occur on major public blockchains like Ethereum, Tron, and Solana, with Ethereum alone accounting for over $137 billion in stablecoin market cap [7]. Technical Principles of Stablecoins - The stability and security of stablecoins rely on blockchain and smart contract technologies. They can be categorized into three types based on their anchoring mechanisms: fiat-collateralized, crypto-collateralized, and algorithmic stablecoins. Each type has distinct technical implementations, with fiat-collateralized stablecoins like USDT and USDC relying on off-chain reserves, while crypto-collateralized stablecoins like DAI use over-collateralization and automated liquidation mechanisms [10][11]. Trust Logic of Stablecoins - The core competitive advantage of stablecoins lies in trust, which is built on reliable anchoring and reserve mechanisms, verifiable technology, and regulatory frameworks. The trust in fiat-collateralized stablecoins is derived from the transparency and liquidity of their reserves, while crypto-collateralized stablecoins depend on over-collateralization and automated liquidation for stability. Algorithmic stablecoins face structural challenges due to their reliance on supply-demand algorithms without actual asset backing [15][16]. Challenges and Future Outlook - Stablecoins face challenges in regulatory technology, price stability, and governance. The lack of a global regulatory framework for stablecoins and blockchain transactions complicates compliance. Additionally, past incidents of reserve opacity have led to market instability. However, the future of stablecoins looks promising, with potential growth in cross-border payments and tokenization of real-world assets, supported by evolving regulatory environments and technological innovations [17][18][19].