Share this article
Finance Protocol Usual Introduces Stablecoin Backed by Real-World Assets
Profits are redistributed to the community by rewarding token holders with yields.
Updated Mar 9, 2024, 1:43 a.m. Published Feb 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
- USD0 is a permissionless stablecoin backed by real-world assets.
- Holders of the stablecoin will be rewarded with yields generated by the real-world assets.
- A governance token, USUAL, grants the right to vote on proposals that guide the protocol's future.
Finance protocol Usual has introduced USD0, a permissionless stablecoin backed by real-world assets (RWAs), alongside a governance token that allows users to have a say on the network's future, the company said in a press release Wednesday.
The protocol addresses some of the current issues of the stablecoin market by redistributing profits to the community, the France-based company said. A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that's usually pegged to the U.S. dollar, though some other currencies and assets such as gold are also used. USD0 holders will be rewarded with yields generated by the real-world assets.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
The governance token, USUAL, will be granted to members of the Usual ecosystem, and gives the right to vote on proposals that guide the token's future, the firm said.
Stablecoin innovation has been gathering pace. Ethena Labs recently launched its USDe token, which it calls a synthetic dollar, not a stablecoin. Users of its platform can deposit stablecoins to receive USDe, which is then staked. The yield is generated by staking ether to a validator and earning 5% on the capital, as well as shorting ether futures to capture the funding rate, estimated at above 20%.
Usual is led by CEO Pierre Person, a former politician and member of the French National Assembly who spearheaded the country's crypto asset legislation.
"Existing stablecoin models lack transparency and equitable value distribution, privatizing their gains and socializing their losses, and going against the ethos that web3 was built on," Person said in the release. "Usual is proud to be addressing this void by providing a permissionless, real-asset backed stablecoin that shares our profits directly with the community, and empowers our token holders to guide us to the future that they see fit."
UPDATE (Feb. 28, 19:14 UTC): Updates company's headquarter location to France.
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Ethereum Foundation makes post quantum security a top priority as new team forms
EF researcher Justin Drake says a new post-quantum team will drive wallet safety upgrades, research prizes and test networks as quantum timelines shorten.
What to know:
- The Ethereum Foundation has elevated post-quantum security to a top strategic priority, forming a dedicated Post Quantum team led by Thomas Coratger with support from leanVM cryptographer Emile.
- Researcher Justin Drake said Ethereum is shifting from background research to active engineering, including biweekly developer sessions on post-quantum transactions and multi-client post-quantum consensus test networks.
- The foundation is backing new cryptography with funding and outreach, launching two $1 million prizes, planning post-quantum community events and education, and stressing that blockchains must prepare early for quantum threats despite their long-term nature.
Top Stories
