

Mint Explainer: Why the RBI is wary of stablecoins—Crypto’s measured wing
Mint’s Annual BFSI Conclave 2025 on Friday, flagged risks associated particularly with stablecoins, considered as the more sensible, utility-driven corner of the crypto universe.Mint takes a look at this growing asset class, and what it may mean for India’s financial system.Stablecoins are a category of cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, usually by pegging them to relatively secure assets such as fiat currencies, commodities, or other financial assets. First appearing in the mid-2010s, they were created to combine the efficiency of blockchain-based payments with the price stability needed for routine financial use.The most widely used stablecoins are backed by the US dollar.
These fiat-backed stablecoins usually maintain 1:1 peg with the greenback (that is 1 stablecoin issued for every 1 dollar held in reserves). The reserves of cash or cash-equivalent assets are typically managed by independent custodians and/or subject to periodic audits.The US dollar-denominated stablecoins make up around 99% of the global stablecoin market valued at around $225 billion.
This accounts for roughly 7% of the broader $3 trillion crypto ecosystem, according to JP Morgan Global Research, which expects the stablecoin market to reach $500-750 billion in the next couple of years.Tether (USDT) is the most popular stablecoin and is the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization ($186 billion), as of December 2025. USD Coin, TrueUSD, and PayPal USD are some of the other dollar-backed stablecoins.Some stablecoins are also backed by commodities, such as gold and oil.
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