Stablecoins vs. Banks: How Digital Assets Are Changing the Financial System
Date: 2025-06-10 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: CRYPTO PAYMENTS
In June 2025, the total market capitalization of stablecoins exceeded $250 billion. Tether (USDT) remains the leader, followed by USDC from Circle. Once they were used mainly for arbitrage and profit-taking within the crypto market, but today they are increasingly used as a means of everyday payments and investments.
One of the most important advantages of stablecoins is speed and accessibility: transfers are made around the clock, regardless of holidays and weekends, while fees are minimal. Such tokens are especially valuable in countries with limited access to banking services or in conditions of currency control. Thanks to this, they provide financial inclusion for millions of people around the world.
The development of the DeFi sector has also spurred the growth in popularity of digital assets. Stablecoins are used as a collateral asset in lending, staking, and yield protocols. They have begun to be used not only by retail users, but also by large companies, including Meta.
Since 2020, the opportunities for investing in stablecoins have expanded significantly. There are instruments with yields higher than bank deposits, for example, Ondo USDY, which brings in over 4% per annum. DeFi protocols offering passive income have also gained popularity. The yield in USDT on CEX platforms can reach up to 7%, which compares favorably with rates in banks, especially in the United States, where the average yield on dollar deposits in June was only 0.42% APY.
However, high yields are associated with increased risks: from hacks and errors in smart contracts to fraud. In addition, managing such assets requires technical knowledge and increased attentiveness.
A special place is occupied by stablecoins backed by precious metals. Tether Gold (XAUt) is a token pegged to one troy ounce of gold, offering easy storage, divisibility, 24/7 trading, and no physical storage costs. This makes gold more accessible to retail investors.
When it comes to storage, users need to choose between custodial and non-custodial wallets. The former are easier to use and restore, but require trust in a third party. The latter provide full control over assets, but require care and knowledge.
The Gem Wallet team emphasizes the importance of security: from storing the seed phrase to protecting against phishing. Hardware wallets and proper segregation of funds are key measures to protect digital assets.
Thus, stablecoins are no longer just a digital analogue of fiat. They are becoming an independent element of the financial ecosystem, offering flexibility, profitability, and new forms of capital management.
