Tether (USDT) is making significant strides in the stablecoin market during the current cycle, solidifying its status as the leading stablecoin. With an impressive total supply of 119.34 billion tokens—growing by an additional 1 billion in just the past month—Tether is expanding its influence across multiple blockchain ecosystems.
While Tether thrives with robust activity on Ethereum and TRON, it has recently begun to see growth on alternative chains such as Toncoin and Celo. This diversification underscores Tether's commitment to building new native coins and enhancing its ecosystem across various platforms. In contrast, Circle’s USDC remains focused on the Base blockchain, prioritizing compliance with European Union regulations and taking a more conservative approach to its market strategies.
Tether's versatility allows it to facilitate decentralized exchange (DEX) trading and streamline payments through an ever-expanding list of chains. Notably, USDT’s supply on Celo has surged by over 68%, nearing $300 million, highlighting its potential as a pivotal player in that network. Similarly, Toncoin has attracted more than $668 million in value inflows, with projections indicating that USDT's supply may surpass $700 million soon.
The year 2024 has marked a period of growth for stablecoins across various categories, including a notable rise in crypto-collateralized coins and tokens. While USDT and USDC serve more conservative use cases, crypto-collateral stablecoins have found broader applications in decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems.
Current reports estimate the total stablecoin supply to be between 164 billion and 169 billion, recovering towards pre-FTX crash levels. Recent quarterly data reveals a 5.15% increase in overall stablecoin supply, with TRON and Ethereum seeing more modest growth rates of 3% to 4%. In contrast, Celo emerged as a leader in stablecoin supply expansion, with an impressive 68% increase over the past three months.
The utility of USDT differs based on the blockchain it operates on. On Celo, the majority of USDT transactions are centered around transferring funds to and from centralized exchanges, accounting for approximately $276.6 million. In the DeFi space, only around $14 million was utilized, primarily through platforms like Uniswap. This indicates that while USDT serves essential roles in trading, its DeFi applications remain limited on Celo.
In the Toncoin ecosystem, USDT is increasingly used for peer-to-peer payments, gas fees, and within the Telegram advertising economy. Its existence as a 'jetton' asset makes it particularly appealing for users in emerging markets, where traditional banking systems may not be as accessible. The integration of USDT within Telegram allows for zero-fee transfers and message-based payments, further enhancing its adoption.
One of the primary drivers of stablecoin growth on Celo is its recent transition to an L2 solution. The Alfajores testnet has been rebranded as Celo L2, successfully producing blocks and paving the way for enhanced transaction capabilities. Although a full L2 transition does not have a fixed timeline, the introduction of this framework is expected to facilitate easier asset inflows from Ethereum, particularly for stablecoins.
Currently, Celo relies on a native asset or external bridging for transactions. However, bridging between incompatible chains carries risks, as significant reserves are often required in the bridge's smart contracts. The move to L2 could mitigate these risks and encourage further stablecoin integration.
Tether (USDT) is undeniably leading the charge in the stablecoin market, with aggressive expansion across multiple blockchain networks. Its diverse use cases and growing supply position it favorably against competitors like USDC, which is taking a more conservative approach. As the stablecoin ecosystem evolves, Tether’s adaptability and focus on emerging markets will likely secure its continued dominance in the crypto landscape.
September 2024, Cryptoniteuae