Understanding Yield-Bearing Stablecoins: Opportunities and Risks

Introduction

Stablecoins have evolved beyond their initial role as digital assets pegged to fiat currencies. They now offer opportunities for earning passive income through yield-bearing mechanisms. This article explores how yield-bearing stablecoins work, their benefits, and the associated risks.

What Are Yield-Bearing Stablecoins?

Yield-bearing stablecoins are digital assets that combine the stability of traditional stablecoins with the ability to earn passive income. Unlike regular stablecoins, which are pegged to fiat currencies without offering returns, yield-bearing stablecoins accrue interest or rewards over time. This is achieved through various mechanisms, such as DeFi lending, staking, or investing in real-world assets (RWAs).

How Yield-Bearing Stablecoins Generate Yield

Yield-bearing stablecoins generate returns through several methods:

  • DeFi Native Yield: Platforms like Aave and MakerDAO use lending and borrowing protocols to earn interest, which is distributed to stablecoin holders.

  • Crypto Derivatives: These involve liquid staking tokens and restaking, deriving value from staked crypto assets.

  • TradFi and RWAs: Tokenizing traditional financial assets like treasury bills and corporate bonds to generate stable returns.

Examples of Yield-Bearing Stablecoins

  • sDAI (Savings DAI): A yield-bearing version of DAI that earns interest through the Dai Savings Rate (DSR).

  • USDe by Ethena: A synthetic dollar protocol that uses delta-hedging strategies to maintain stability and generate yield.

  • USDY by Ondo Finance: Tied to yields from short-term U.S. Treasuries and bank deposits, offering stable returns.

Risks and Considerations

While yield-bearing stablecoins offer attractive returns, they come with risks:

  • Smart Contract Risks: Vulnerabilities in smart contracts can lead to loss of funds.

  • Regulatory Risks: Potential changes in legislation could impact operations and classification.

  • Liquidity Risks: Market stress can lead to liquidity issues, affecting the ability to redeem stablecoins.

  • Yield Sustainability: The reliability of yield sources can vary, affecting returns.

Conclusion

Yield-bearing stablecoins represent a significant advancement in the crypto space, offering a blend of stability and passive income. However, potential investors must carefully consider the associated risks and perform due diligence. As the market evolves, these stablecoins are likely to play an increasingly important role in financial strategies, providing opportunities for both seasoned investors and newcomers to the crypto space.

Disclaimer
This content is provided for informational purposes only and may cover products that are not available in your region. It is not intended to provide (i) investment advice or an investment recommendation; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold crypto/digital assets, or (iii) financial, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Crypto/digital asset holdings, including stablecoins and NFTs, involve a high degree of risk and can fluctuate greatly. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding crypto/digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances. Information (including market data and statistical information, if any) appearing in this post is for general information purposes only. While all reasonable care has been taken in preparing this data and graphs, no responsibility or liability is accepted for any errors of fact or omission expressed herein.

© 2025 OKX. This article may be reproduced or distributed in its entirety, or excerpts of 100 words or less of this article may be used, provided such use is non-commercial. Any reproduction or distribution of the entire article must also prominently state: “This article is © 2025 OKX and is used with permission.” Permitted excerpts must cite to the name of the article and include attribution, for example “Article Name, [author name if applicable], © 2025 OKX.” No derivative works or other uses of this article are permitted.

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