Why Every Project & Protocol is Launching a Stablecoin in 2024 (And How You Can Too)

Andre Costa
Published on:
Mar 10, 2025
Cryptocurrency
Stablecoins are taking over crypto. In 2024, they accounted for 35.5% of all crypto transactions, with payment volumes jumping 26.2% compared to 2023. The stablecoin market reached $225 billion, led by USDT (97.2% of transactions) and USDC (2.5%). But why are so many projects launching their own stablecoins?
Here’s why stablecoins are booming and how you can create one too:
Why Stablecoins Matter: They reduce crypto volatility, simplify payments, and improve cross-border transactions.
Key Drivers in 2024: Faster Layer-2 solutions, institutional adoption ($422.3B in Europe), and regulatory clarity (e.g., MiCA).
Benefits of Launching a Stablecoin:
Boost liquidity and trading efficiency.
Lower transaction costs and improve user experience.
Meet institutional needs with compliance and transparency.
Steps to Launch:
Quick Tip: Focus on transparency, security, and compliance to build trust.
Stablecoins are reshaping crypto payments and offering businesses new opportunities. Ready to launch yours? Dive in to learn how.
Benefits of Creating a Stablecoin
Improving Market Liquidity
Introducing a stablecoin can significantly enhance liquidity by facilitating smoother trading between digital and traditional assets. Economist Markus Franke explains:
"Stablecoins have emerged as a pivotal instrument in the dynamic world of crypto, providing (relative) stability in an otherwise volatile market."
Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) particularly benefit from stablecoins since they can't directly process fiat currencies. By launching a stablecoin, projects can:
Lower bid-ask spreads, cutting transaction costs
Streamline price discovery processes
Create more arbitrage opportunities across platforms
Boost market confidence by maintaining steady trading volumes
These improvements help create a more accessible and efficient trading environment.
Simplifying User Experience
Stablecoins make blockchain interactions easier to navigate. With over $8 trillion transacted annually across 1 billion transactions, their impact is clear. Key advantages include:
Lower Transaction Costs: A 2021 pilot program in Kenya showed that stablecoins reduced cross-border fees by more than 14 times.
Faster Transactions: Layer-2 solutions have made transactions quicker and more affordable.
Reliable Value Storage: In regions with unstable currencies, users gain access to dollar-denominated assets.
As noted in a key observation:
"Blockchains are really alternative rails for payments and financial assets … An issue has been that the technology has not been user-friendly, it's all been designed by engineers … to be very tech-centric and not use case or UX centric."
By making blockchain technology more user-oriented, stablecoins also provide the infrastructure needed for institutional adoption.
Meeting Institutional Requirements
Stablecoins play a critical role in meeting the needs of institutional users. The fiat-backed stablecoin market is expected to reach approximately $159 billion by 2024. Regulatory developments, such as Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) approving new compliance frameworks, further solidify trust in the system. These regulations focus on:
Strengthening anti-money laundering (AML) measures
Enhancing financial security protocols
Improving consumer protection standards
The benefits for businesses are substantial. By 2028, it’s estimated that global companies could save up to $26 billion through stablecoin adoption.
How to Launch Your Stablecoin
Setting Project Goals
Before diving into development, it's crucial to clarify your stablecoin's purpose, identify your target audience, and ensure compliance with regulations.
Here are some key elements to plan for:
Aspect | Implementation Details | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Stability Mechanism | Options include fiat-backed, crypto-backed, or algorithmic models | Influences price stability and trust |
Revenue Model | Transaction fees shared between partners and liquidity reserves | Supports long-term operations |
Redemption System | Face value minus transaction fees | Avoids secondary market discounts |
Monitoring | Automated tracking of currency and index rates | Helps maintain price stability |
Selecting the right blockchain to align with these goals is essential for achieving the best results.
Selecting a Blockchain
The blockchain industry has seen explosive growth, expanding from $4.8 billion in 2021 to a projected $69 billion by 2030.
Here’s a quick comparison of some leading platforms:
Platform | Key Features | Best For |
---|---|---|
Solana | Processes 65,000 transactions per second (TPS), low fees | High-volume transactions |
Ethereum | Large developer community, strong security | Established projects |
Compatible with Ethereum, high throughput | Budget-conscious projects | |
Handles lower traffic, offers reduced costs | Newer or smaller projects |
Your choice of blockchain will affect transaction efficiency and the security of your stablecoin, so weigh these factors carefully.
Building Secure Contracts
Creating reliable and secure smart contracts is a must. Use the right tools and frameworks to streamline the process:
Core Development Stack:
Programming Languages: Solidity (Ethereum), Rust (Solana)
Frameworks: Truffle, Hardhat, OpenZeppelin
Testing Tools: Ganache, Mocha, Chai
Security should be a top priority. As Chris Georgen of Apparatus explains:
"Blockchain platforms consist of a wide range of components, which enables enterprises to select the appropriate components for different kinds of capabilities."
To safeguard your contracts, follow these steps:
Set up strong access controls
Conduct thorough security audits
Test rigorously on testnets
Plan for secure upgrades
These measures will help ensure your stablecoin launch is both secure and efficient.
How to Create a Stablecoin: A Beginner's Guide to Stability in Crypto
Common Stablecoin Challenges
Stablecoin projects come with their own set of challenges, despite their advantages and technical frameworks.
Price Stability Methods
Maintaining a stable value requires careful collateralization strategies. Data underscores the importance of choosing the right stability mechanism.
Stability Method | Features | Risk Level |
---|---|---|
Fiat-Collateralized | Backed 1:1 with USD/EUR, regular audits | Low |
Crypto-Collateralized | Needs over-collateralization | Medium |
Algorithmic | Relies on smart contract supply control | High |
The choice of stability method impacts both operational costs and user confidence. For instance, USDC and USDT dominate the market because their fiat-collateralized models ensure clear redemption guarantees. These decisions also play a critical role in navigating regulatory environments.
Meeting U.S. Regulations
Operating within the U.S. regulatory framework poses unique hurdles for stablecoin projects. For example, New York's Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) mandates these key requirements:
Maintaining a 1:1 reserve ratio
Keeping reserve assets segregated
Conducting regular audits by independent firms
As the market grows, oversight becomes stricter. Projects must also address:
FinCEN's guidelines on convertible virtual currencies
State-specific money transmission laws
Compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act
NYDFS: "Stablecoin issuances require explicit regulatory approval by the appropriate regulator."
These regulatory demands emphasize the importance of building trust and ensuring transparency.
Building User Trust
Trust is a cornerstone for stablecoin success, relying heavily on transparency and secure operations. For example, Circle's USDC and EURC achieved compliance with MiCA regulations in July 2024.
Key trust-building measures include:
Real-time monitoring of transactions
Using machine learning to detect fraud
Regular independent reserve attestations
Notabene: "Traditional finance relies on centralized gatekeepers, while crypto operates on trustless technology. We saw the need for a middle ground - a way for institutions to build trust through transparency and verifiable credentials while maintaining their autonomy."
To establish a solid foundation, stablecoin projects should focus on overcollateralization, transparency, and diversifying their collateral.
Conclusion: Next Steps in Stablecoin Development
Quick Reference Guide
Launching a stablecoin demands careful planning and smart allocation of resources.
Development Phase | Key Requirements | Monthly Budget Range |
---|---|---|
Marketing & Growth | Community Building, PR, Social Media | $15K – $100K |
Technical Operations | Smart Contracts, Security Audits | $20K – $200K |
Compliance & Legal | Regulatory Framework, Audits | $20K – $150K |
User Acquisition | Referral Programs, Partnerships | $25K – $200K |
With these resource allocations in mind, the next step is to execute a well-prepared stablecoin launch.
Getting Started with Stablecoins
Recent market trends highlight the importance of having a solid launch strategy. For example, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's sandbox program, introduced in July 2024, shows how working with regulators can streamline stablecoin development. This initiative reflects earlier discussions on regulatory frameworks and offers practical solutions for navigating compliance hurdles.
Operational readiness is also key. As Simon Taylor points out:
"The key to good stablecoin ops? Build for the edge cases. A simple 'send money' function has dozens of potential failure modes. Document them all."
Looking at real-world examples, Carbon Browser's token launch provides valuable lessons. By partnering with Polygon and BNB Chain and focusing on targeted marketing, they achieved $1.6M in initial offerings and attracted over 4,000 new holders.
Key factors for success include:
Screening recipient wallets using blockchain analytics
Ensuring transparency and maintaining diversified collateral to build trust
Creating a risk management plan that covers operational, market, and regulatory risks
Developing educational materials to onboard and engage users
When allocating resources, focus on strategies with proven returns. For instance, email marketing campaigns often deliver 4–10x returns, while targeted advertising can yield 3–8x ROI when done effectively.