What are Stablecoins, and how to use them?

Stablecoins have emerged as a revolutionary digital currency that addresses the volatility concerns commonly associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. These digital assets are pegged to stable reserve assets like the U.S. dollar or even gold, ensuring a more predictable value.

Stability Meets Flexibility

By combining the stability of traditional assets with the flexibility of digital currencies, stablecoins have gained immense popularity. One prominent example is USD Coin (USDC), where each token is backed by dollar-denominated assets held in segregated accounts with regulated financial institutions. Independent accounting firms publicly verify these accounts, adding an extra layer of transparency.

Stablecoins, such as USDC, also leverage the Ethereum blockchain for their operations. This means they inherit the key features of non-pegged cryptocurrencies while providing a stable value:

• Open and accessible: Stablecoins are available to anyone with an internet connection, 24/7, making them truly global.

• Fast and secure transactions: Sending stablecoins is quick, cost-effective, and secured by the underlying blockchain technology.

• Programmability: Being native to smart contracts, stablecoins can be seamlessly integrated into various applications and platforms.

Unlocking the Potential of Stablecoins

The rise of stablecoins has unlocked a range of possibilities within the crypto ecosystem. Let's take a look at some of the key use cases:

Minimize Volatility

Stablecoins provide stability in a market known for its price fluctuations. By pegging their value to a more stable reserve asset such as treasury bills, stablecoins offer buyers and sellers certainty in the face of unpredictable market swings common in crypto.

Trade and Store Value

Unlike traditional fiat currency, stablecoins can be easily stored without the need for a bank account. Their ease of transfer makes them an ideal option for cross-border transactions, especially in regions where accessing U.S. dollars or dealing with volatile local currencies can be challenging.

Earn Rewards

Investing in stablecoins can also offer attractive rewards, often surpassing those offered by traditional banks. These incentives provide additional earning potential for stablecoin holders.

Cost-Effective Money Transfers

Stablecoins like USDC have proven to be a game-changer for cost-effective money transfers. With transfer fees as low as one dollar on networks like Base, users can effortlessly send significant amounts globally. This feature has substantially lowered the barriers associated with international remittances.

Global Money Transfer

The combination of fast processing and low transaction fees positions stablecoins like USDC as an excellent choice for sending money worldwide. Whether it's supporting family abroad or conducting business internationally, stablecoins offer a viable alternative to traditional banking systems.

Building on Stablecoins as a developers.

As the world embraces the potential of stablecoins, more innovative companies are entering the space to offer user-friendly solutions. Basement is offering both SQL and GraphQL APIs with access to stablecoin datasets on Ethereum.

Simply find the contract address of a Stablecoin, such as USDC, and use it in any of the ERC20 queries available.

const data = 
  await sdk.erc20Transfers({ 
    filter: { contractAddresses: ["0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48"] }, 
    include: { owner: { profile: true, reverseProfile: true } },
  });

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