noun

stablecoin

STAY-buhl-koyn

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Stablecoin (noun) means a cryptocurrency designed to stay at a fixed value, usually one unit to one US dollar, rather than rising and falling like other coins. The peg is maintained by holding reserves of money or other assets, or by rules written into software. Example: “She moved her funds into a stablecoin while she decided what to do next.”

noun

A cryptocurrency designed to stay at a fixed value, usually one unit to one US dollar, rather than rising and falling like other coins. The peg is maintained by holding reserves of money or other assets, or by rules written into software.

"She moved her funds into a stablecoin while she decided what to do next."

"Merchants prefer stablecoins because the price does not shift between the sale and the settlement."

How to use stablecoin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA digital coin meant to always be worth about the same as a normal currency, usually a dollar.

When to use it

Neutral technical term, now common in financial reporting and in regulation.

Memory tip

"Stable" describes the design goal, not a guarantee. Pegs have failed in practice, and the word does not promise that a given coin will hold its value.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

fiat currency altcoin → token → CBDC

Common pairings

dollar-pegged stablecoin stablecoin reserves fiat-backed stablecoin algorithmic stablecoin break the peg

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She moved her funds into a _____ while she decided what to do next.

Etymology

A compound of stable and coin, so called because it is designed to hold a steady value.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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pegged coin pegged token dollar-pegged token

Antonyms

volatile cryptocurrency

Rhymes for stablecoin

coin join loin Goin groin heroin rejoin altcoin sirloin bitcoin shitcoin memecoin

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a stablecoin and normal money?

A stablecoin aims to track a normal currency but is issued by a private company or a piece of software and moves on a blockchain. Ordinary bank deposits are claims on a regulated bank, often covered by a deposit protection scheme; stablecoin holders' rights depend on the issuer's terms and the law where it operates.

What is the difference between a fiat-backed and an algorithmic stablecoin?

A fiat-backed stablecoin is meant to be covered by reserves of cash and similar assets held by the issuer. An algorithmic one tries to hold its price through rules in software that expand or shrink supply, without full reserves behind it. Several algorithmic designs have lost their peg.

What does it mean when a stablecoin depegs?

Depegging means the coin trades away from the value it is supposed to track, for example at 95 cents instead of a dollar. It usually happens when holders doubt the reserves or the mechanism and try to sell or redeem at once.

What is the meaning of stablecoin?

"stablecoin" (noun) means a cryptocurrency designed to stay at a fixed value, usually one unit to one US dollar, rather than rising and falling like other coins. The peg is maintained by holding reserves of money or other assets, or by rules written into software.