Stablecoins are no longer just a niche concept in the world of cryptocurrency—they're becoming a focal point for major tech and financial players worldwide. With companies like Ant Group and JD.com actively pursuing stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong, and global regulators stepping in with new frameworks, it's clear that stablecoins are poised to play a pivotal role in the future of digital finance.
But what exactly is a stablecoin? How does it differ from Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies? And why are industry giants investing heavily in this space?
Understanding Stablecoins: The Digital Equivalent of Cash
Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to an underlying asset—most commonly a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar. Unlike volatile digital assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins aim to minimize price fluctuations, making them more suitable for everyday transactions and value storage.
According to Huatai Securities, “Stablecoins are digitally represented forms of paper money. They have no interest-bearing features and limited appreciation potential—essentially functioning as digital cash.”
This stability is achieved through collateralization. Most mainstream stablecoins, such as USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin), are backed 1:1 by reserves of cash or short-term government securities like U.S. Treasuries. As of June 2025, the global stablecoin market is valued at approximately $261.5 billion, with USDT and USDC accounting for about 85% of that total.
How Do Stablecoins Maintain Their Value?
The key differentiator between stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies lies in their value foundation, price stability, and issuance model.
1. Anchored to Real-World Assets
Unlike Bitcoin, which derives its value from market sentiment and scarcity, stablecoins are tied to tangible assets. While some experimental models link stablecoins to commodities like gold or even other cryptocurrencies, the vast majority rely on fiat currency reserves.
CICC Research notes that while stablecoins can theoretically be backed by various assets—including crypto or physical commodities—the dominant model remains fiat-collateralized stablecoins, especially those pegged to the U.S. dollar.
2. Minimal Price Volatility
Because they mirror the value of their reserve assets, stablecoins typically exhibit negligible price swings. For example, one USDC should always be worth exactly $1, give or take minor market fluctuations.
This predictability makes them ideal for use cases where reliability matters—such as remittances, cross-border payments, or serving as a pricing benchmark in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
3. Centralized Issuance
Most stablecoins are issued by centralized entities. For instance:
- Circle issues USDC
- Tether Limited issues USDT
These companies operate under regulatory scrutiny and must maintain transparent reserves to ensure redemption at par value.
Why Are Stablecoins More Efficient Than Traditional Payment Systems?
One of the most compelling advantages of stablecoins is their ability to streamline payments—especially across borders.
Faster Transactions
Traditional international wire transfers often take 3–5 business days due to intermediary banks and legacy systems like SWIFT. In contrast, stablecoin transactions settle in seconds to minutes, operating 24/7 without downtime.
JD.com founder Richard Liu highlighted this efficiency: “Using traditional methods, transferring funds to Africa takes 4–5 days with a 7.7% fee. With stablecoins, the same transaction completes in 24 seconds with significantly lower costs.”
Lower Fees
According to World Bank data from Q3 2024, the average global remittance cost was 6.62%. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals aim to reduce this to 3% or less.
Stablecoin-based transfers typically charge less than 1%, drastically cutting costs for individuals and businesses alike.
Greater Financial Inclusion
Stablecoins also open access to financial services for the unbanked or underbanked populations. With just a smartphone and internet connection, users can send, receive, and store value globally—bypassing traditional banking infrastructure altogether.
👉 See how blockchain technology is enabling faster, cheaper global transactions—learn more now.
Stablecoins vs. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Complementary Roles
While many countries are rolling out their own digital currencies—like China’s digital yuan—these differ significantly from private-sector stablecoins in both purpose and scope.
| Feature | Retail CBDCs (e.g., Digital Yuan) | Private Stablecoins |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Central Bank | Private Company |
| Use Case | Domestic payments: bills, transit, retail | Cross-border B2B, DeFi, offshore markets |
| Settlement | May involve intermediaries | “Payment is settlement” — instant finality |
| Availability | Often restricted by jurisdiction | Global accessibility |
As Shen Jianguang, Chief Economist at JD Group, explains: “CBDCs focus on domestic retail use, while stablecoins excel in cross-border B2B settlements, offshore liquidity, and integration into DeFi ecosystems.”
Their functions are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary, forming parts of a broader digital financial infrastructure.
Why Are Major Companies Rushing Into Stablecoin Licensing?
Recent regulatory developments have paved the way for institutional adoption.
- Hong Kong enacted its Stablecoin Bill on May 30, 2025, requiring licensing for any entity issuing or promoting stablecoins locally.
- The U.S. Senate passed the Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act on June 17, 2025—the first major federal crypto legislation—establishing a national framework for regulated stablecoin issuance.
In response:
- Ant Group has initiated talks with Hong Kong regulators to obtain a stablecoin license.
- JD.com aims to secure licenses in all major currency jurisdictions to enable near-instant global corporate settlements.
- Standard Chartered, HKT, and Anchorage Digital have formed a joint venture—Circle Innovation Technology—to launch HKD-pegged stablecoins.
CICC identifies four key beneficiary sectors:
- Banking IT providers
- Telecom operators
- Crypto exchanges
- Financial institutions acting as on/off-ramps
Moreover, Circle’s successful U.S. IPO in June 2025 revealed strong profitability: $1.676 billion in revenue (99% from interest on USDC reserves), with $156 million in net profit—proving that well-managed stablecoin operations can generate substantial returns.
Risks and Regulatory Challenges
Despite their promise, stablecoins aren’t risk-free.
Reserve Transparency Concerns
If issuers fail to prove full backing of reserves, confidence can erode rapidly—potentially triggering a run on redemptions. Huatai Securities warns that liquidity management failures are among the top risks for stablecoin operators.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Risks
While blockchain’s transparency can aid AML efforts by allowing regulators to trace transactions, bad actors may still exploit privacy features or unregulated platforms.
However,肖飒 (Xiao Sa), Senior Partner at Dentons Law Firm, argues: “A well-designed, permissioned blockchain can actually enhance regulatory oversight compared to anonymous cash transactions.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are stablecoins safe to use?
A: Reputable, regulated stablecoins like USDC and USDT have strong reserve transparency and auditing practices. However, always assess issuer credibility and regulatory compliance before use.
Q: Can I earn interest on stablecoins?
A: Yes—through DeFi platforms or centralized crypto lenders. However, these come with counterparty risks not present in traditional bank accounts.
Q: Do stablecoins pay interest directly?
A: No. Stablecoins themselves do not accrue interest. But issuers like Circle earn interest on reserve assets (e.g., U.S. Treasuries) and may share yields indirectly via partnered platforms.
Q: What happens if a stablecoin issuer goes bankrupt?
A: Investors may face delays or losses unless reserves are fully segregated and independently audited. Regulatory oversight helps mitigate this risk.
Q: Are stablecoins legal everywhere?
A: No—regulation varies by country. Some nations ban them outright; others, like Hong Kong and the U.S., are creating licensing regimes to allow compliant operations.
Q: Can stablecoins replace traditional money?
A: Not fully—but they’re increasingly used alongside fiat currencies for specific purposes like cross-border transfers and DeFi trading.
The Road Ahead: Infrastructure for Global Digital Finance
Beyond payments, compliant stablecoins could transform areas like:
- Global treasury management
- Trade finance automation
- Tokenized real-world assets (RWA)
- Interoperable financial ecosystems
With Ant Group, JD.com, and institutional partners building regulated frameworks—and platforms enabling seamless digital asset interaction—the vision of a faster, cheaper, more inclusive financial system is coming into focus.
👉 Start exploring the next generation of digital finance tools today—click here to get started.