The Rise and Risks of Stablecoins

In a recent statement, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank expressed concerns about the rapid growth of stablecoins.

Stablecoins, often pegged to fiat currencies or other assets, are seen as a more stable alternative within the crypto space.

  • However, the quality of their underlying assets and lack of regulation remain major issues.
  • A loss of confidence could trigger a cascade of failures.
  • Crypto assets are not true safe-haven assets and can become sources of systemic risk.

The governor warned that the crypto market could potentially "fall apart" under extreme conditions, and such risks should not be ignored.