Latest news with #cryptocurrencies
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Did You Know 93% of the Stablecoin Market Share Is Controlled by Just 2 Coins?
Key Points Stablecoins are digital assets backed by a commodity or currency. Many believe stablecoins present a great opportunity to make global money transfers more efficient and less expensive. Less than a dozen stablecoins make up the entire U.S. dollar stablecoin market, and of those companies, two see almost all of the activity. 10 stocks we like better than Tether › After the recent passage of the Genius Act, the stablecoin movement is full steam ahead. Stablecoins are digital assets pegged to a currency or commodity that capture some of the characteristics of digital assets without the volatility typically associated with cryptocurrencies. Many of the largest stablecoins are linked to a major currency like the U.S. dollar (USD). The concept has intrigued many because, in theory, all you need to move a stablecoin is internet access, presenting a potential alternative to people with less access to the mainstream financial system. Stablecoins can also settle payments near instantly and can remove many of the parties involved in the process -- and therefore much of the associated fees. But stablecoins are still relatively new and the market isn't that big just yet. In fact, did you know that most of the stablecoin market is controlled by just two stablecoins? 10 large USD coins The stablecoin market is still relatively small. As of July 10, the top 10 largest issuers of U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins collectively had a circulating supply of less than $240 billion. U.S. Secretary Treasury Scott Bessent has said he could see the market getting to over $2 trillion. If true, then many of the largest issuers of U.S. dollar stablecoins today could get a lot bigger, although remember the goal of a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin is to track the dollar at $1, so these aren't investment vehicles. Here are the top 10 issuers by circulating supply/market cap. Stablecoin Market Cap Daily volume Circulating supply Tether (CRYPTO: USDT) $158,867,347,330 $101,062,844,099 158.78 billion USDT USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) $62,578,167,027 $13,099,615,197 62.58 billion USDC Dai (CRYPTO: DAI) $5,366,363,340 $20,619,306,337 5.36 billion DAI Ethena USDe (CRYPTO: USDE) $5,324,392,221 $157,570,007 5.31 billion USDe World Liberty Financial USD (CRYPTO: USD1) $2,209,113,218 $613,096,128 2.2 billion USD1 First Digital USD (CRYPTO: FDUSD) $1,450,509,121 $7,210,976,449 1.45 billion FDUSD PayPal USD (CRYPTO: PYUSD) $883,702,187 $24,825,169 883.91 million PYUSD Ripple USD (CRYPTO: RLUSD) $501,094,254 $54,402,579 501.24 million RLUSD TrueUSD (CRYPTO: TUSD) $493,648,529 $50,098,863 494.51 million TUSD USDD (CRYPTO: USDD) $448,411,283 $7,690,499 448.04 million USDD Data Source: CoinMarketCap. As of July 10, 2025. Interestingly, 93% of the market is controlled by Tether and USDC, based on market cap and circulating supply. You'll also notice some other interesting members of the list like PayPal's stablecoin, which users can earn rewards on by using it on Paypal's platform. Additionally, Ripple, the company behind XRP, also issues a stablecoin that has made some progress in a relatively short period of time. What is Tether? Tether was the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, launching in 2014, very much at the beginning days of the crypto era. Now the largest stablecoin, while Tether tracks the U.S. dollar on a one-for-one basis, its reserves are not entirely backed by U.S. dollars. According to the company's website, roughly 81% of Tether's reserves are in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term deposits. The rest of the reserves largely consist of secured loans, Bitcoin, precious metals, and other investments. Many people and investors currently use Tether as a way to conduct transactions across numerous blockchains in a less volatile manner than if they were to use various cryptocurrencies. Tether can be issued on several different blockchain networks including Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and EOS, among several others. Tether also only issues tokens when customers, who have followed the company's know-your-customer (KYC) standards, request them. What is USDC? USDC is the second-largest U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin and is issued by the company Circle Internet Group, which went public this year and has seen its stock soar as a result. The stablecoin differs from Tether in that its reserves are 100% composed of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term deposits. The company also holds all of its reserves in financial institutions. Circle sees its three main use cases as providing low-cost, near-instant global payments; access to dollars; and more efficient ways to trade. USDC can also be accessed on Ethereum's network through digital asset exchanges, and was built as an ERC-20 token. Should you invest $1,000 in Tether right now? Before you buy stock in Tether, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Tether wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $633,452!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,083,392!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,046% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025
Mail & Guardian
5 hours ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
PAXMINING Leads the New Era of Cloud Mining, Intelligent System Assists Users in Easily Obtaining $6700 Daily Returns
In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin mining remains a key pathway to asset growth. With Bitcoin prices stabilizing above $110,000 in 2025—driven by institutional investment and global market momentum—the demand for more efficient mining solutions is stronger than ever. Traditional mining, while proven, comes with high hardware costs, energy consumption, and technical complexity. Cloud mining has emerged as an innovative alternative, offering a simpler and more accessible way to participate. As a leading platform, The Evolution of Bitcoin Mining Bitcoin mining is the process of verifying transactions and securing the blockchain through computing complex algorithms, where miners receive Bitcoin rewards and transaction fees. In the early days, simple devices could participate in mining. However, as the network expanded, professional ASIC hardware became mainstream, driving efficiency improvements. Today, cloud mining makes everything simple: users rent remote computing power, with the platform handling hardware maintenance and energy supply, directly depositing returns into wallets. This model is highly popular, especially in Bitcoin bull markets, providing stable passive income opportunities for users. Platform Advantages PAXMINING is user-centric and offers the following key advantages: ⦁ Extremely low registration threshold to start mining： Register and receive a $15 new user bonus, which can be used to purchase contract signings and earn $0.60 in free daily income. ⦁ Sustainable and Green Operations: Leverages renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, lower costs, and ensure long-term stable operations. ⦁ AI-Powered Optimization: Advanced algorithms dynamically allocate computing power to adapt to market fluctuations and maximize profit potential. ⦁ No Hardware Burden: Users don't need to purchase or maintain equipment; a professional team manages everything remotely. ⦁ Secure and Reliable: Enterprise-grade encryption, two-factor authentication, and a transparent blockchain mechanism ensure the safety of user assets. ⦁ Multiple Cryptocurrency Options: The platform supports settlement in over 10 cryptocurrencies (e.g., DOGE, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, USDT, BNB, BCH, SOL, and XRP). ⦁ Global Access: iOS/Android clients and the web version all support real-time monitoring and operations. ⦁ Passive Income Model: Automatic daily settlement after contract activation, perfect for busy users to easily earn income. Contract Returns Table PAXMINING offers diversified contracts designed based on high-performance mining machines. Returns include principal repayment, influenced by Bitcoin prices and network conditions. The following is a sample of popular contracts： Contract Options with Transparent Returns: Users can choose from a range of contract packages designed to suit every budget—from beginner to institutional investor. Highlights include: ⦁ [New User Experience Contract]: Investment amount: $100, Net income: $100 + $6 ⦁ [Canaan Avalon miner A14]：Investment amount: $500, Net income: $500 + $43.4 ⦁ [WhatsMiner M60S++]：Investment amount: $1,300, Net income: $1,300 + $253.5 ⦁ [ALPH Miner AL1]：Investment amount: $3,500, Net income: $3,500 + $984 ⦁ [Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Imm ]：Investment amount: $8,000, Net income: $8,000 + $4,424 ⦁ [Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Hyd]：Investment amount: $12,800, Net income: $12,800 + $8,601 Earnings are credited every 24 hours automatically—no trading, no waiting. Summary: Embrace the Future of Cloud Mining As Bitcoin continues to appreciate, PAXMINING's intelligent cloud mining system is leading users on the path to wealth. Powered by green energy, AI technology, and a user-friendly design, this platform puts $6,700 in daily profits within reach. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, PAXMINING can open the door to wealth. For more information, please visit our official website: Direct inquiries:
Crypto Insight
a day ago
- Business
- Crypto Insight
PayPal launches crypto checkout tool, adds support for over 100 tokens
Payments platform PayPal is set to roll out a new feature for US merchants to accept payments with over 100 cryptocurrencies, targeting overseas transactions and more utility of its own stablecoin. According to a Monday announcement, businesses will be able to accept Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, USDt, USD Coin and XRP, among others. The tool integrates with crypto wallets including Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, OKX, Kraken, Binance, Phantom, and Exodus. Transactions paid with cryptocurrencies will be automatically converted into PayPal's stablecoin PYUSD or fiat currency at checkout, allowing merchants to receive crypto payments without dealing with price volatility. PayPal will charge merchants a 0.99% transaction fee for crypto payments, which it claims is 90% lower than typical credit card processing costs. For comparison, Visa's fees start at 1.75% of a transaction cost. The feature aims to simplify cross-border transactions, which PayPal said are often expensive and challenging for small and medium-sized businesses. For now, it is only available to US-based merchants, with the exclusion of New York residents. PayPal joins Stripe and Coinbase in the race to streamline global crypto payments The move comes as PYUSD's market capitalization has risen by nearly 80% since January 1, climbing to $894 million from $497 million, according to data from CoinGecko. It also arrives as competitors, such as Stripe, continue to roll out new features for cross-border crypto payments. In October 2024, Stripe launched a stablecoin payment option for USD Coin that saw adoption from users in 70 countries on its first day. In June, the fintech company partnered with Coinbase to integrate fiat-to-crypto services across both platforms. Stripe added support for Coinbase's Base network, while Coinbase Wallet incorporated Stripe's fiat on-ramp. Fintech payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal are expanding their crypto payment offerings, but centralized exchanges like Coinbase have worked on crypto merchant tools for some time. In 2018, the exchange launched Coinbase Commerce, allowing merchants to accept crypto on platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. In 2024, Coinbase released the x402 protocol, a payment system that enables crypto transactions over standard HTTP. Designed for APIs and AI agents, it allows automated systems to send and receive stablecoins, primarily USDC, on the Base network. Regulatory clarity drives stablecoin and crypto payment growth PayPal's new feature follows the recent passage of the GENIUS Act. The legislation provides a regulated pathway for companies like PayPal to expand services involving and integrate stablecoins into their payment infrastructure. Small businesses worldwide are also warming up to crypto payments. Industries like food and beverage, retail, travel, e-commerce and even real estate have turned to accepting crypto payments for its speed and lower costs. Source:
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Analysts say 'greed is good' is back, as euphoria emerges in global financial markets
Analysts say global financial markets are entering a euphoric but potentially dangerous speculative phase. Such phases are typically characterised by investor mania for so-called meme stocks, made popular on the share market by social media posts. But investors are also chasing after cryptocurrencies, gold and small-cap stocks, or stocks with relatively low prices. Adelaide woman Lisa, who only wants to use her first name for privacy reasons, buys so-called penny stocks in small companies trading on the share market. She trades stocks in the resources, information technology and pharmaceuticals sectors. "And also because of their small nature, often they're overlooked by the larger managed funds, superannuation funds, for example." Lisa first bought $500 worth of shares in 2001, and now has a $100,000 share market portfolio returning 18 per cent per annum. A typical stock market return, according to analysts, is anywhere between 7 and 10 per cent per annum. Lisa shares trading ideas with other investors on several social media platforms. "One of my favourites would be Straw Man, which is a private investors club where people share ideas of companies that they've researched," she said. "I also look at a couple of others like Hot Copper, Inside Trader, The Motley Fool and MSN News, occasionally, just to give me ideas, and then I'll take those ideas and do my own research." In January 2021, retail investors bought American meme stock GameStop, after positive reviews of the company went viral in an online investing forum on Reddie . Marcus Today senior portfolio manager Henry Jennings said this type of frenzied trading activity was popping up again. "Shorting" stocks is when big investment firms borrow stocks they see as overpriced, only to sell them. They buy the stock after the share price falls, and return it to the owner, having made a profit. GameStop was being heavily shorted in the market in 2001, so when retail investors bought it up, the big investment firms started to lose money on their "shorts" as the price stopped falling and began rising. "And if there's enough of them, do that at one particular time, they can push stocks to outrageous gains and outrageous moves," Mr Jennings said. "So it is, I guess, a sign of irrational exuberance to some extent." Roger Montgomery, who runs Montgomery Investment Management, is also seeing meme-stock mania. "Last week we saw, for example, the share prices of Wendy's, GoPro and others jump," he said. "I think Krispy Kreme was the other one to jump by as much as 80 per cent just in a couple of days. "That's telling you that things are getting a little bit hot again." Mr Jennings warned investor euphoria is taking hold again in financial markets, making "Star Entertainment look like a Sunday afternoon bongo club." "I guess primarily the reason is the animal spirits are running pretty hot at the moment," he said. "You know, we've got markets around the world at all-time highs. "Despite the news from tariffs, the optimism is high, but Trump is making America great again and greed is good. While that may sound concerning, Mr Montgomery said investors were buoyed by the amount of cash coming from central banks. He said this was supporting stocks and other financial markets' assets. "The Chinese Central Bank has injected something like 10 trillion renminbi into the market over the last six months," Mr Montgomery said. "And because there could be a slowing economy from Trump's tariffs, the US Federal Reserve is expected to engage in Quantitative Easing [money printing], or more Machiavellian versions of that, and inject more liquidity into the market as well." There is, however, no shortage of risk facing investors across the globe. Analysts point to problems from US President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, uncertainty around global tariffs, and the health of China's economy — all of which have the potential to drag markets down again. Rising bond yields, which can hurt stock prices, are also a concern. But Mr Jennings said the risks investors did not see presented the most danger to financial markets and the economy. "It's not really the risks that you can see that are going to trap us and trip us up," he said. "It's the ones that you can't see. Locally, Australian companies are yet to report their full-year earnings for the 2024/25 financial year, so analysts are not yet able to compare stock prices to recent valuations. But the ABC understands the broad expectation is that Australian companies will remain profitable. There is also hope of several interest rate cuts, which would boost overall demand in the economy by early next year. Lisa, for one, is holding onto her stocks. "Even if they're down for six months, a year, two years, they will go back up again to what they were at, [or] … above what their previous high was." Australian investors may also react to second-quarter inflation figures due from the Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, which could determine whether the Reserve Bank cuts interest rates again next month.
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
The Hottest Business Strategy This Summer Is Buying Crypto
It's the hottest trade of the summer. Companies are raising tens of billions of dollars, not to invest in their businesses or hire employees, but to purchase bitcoin and more obscure cryptocurrencies. A Japanese hotel operator, a French semiconductor manufacturer, a Florida toy maker, a nail-salon chain, an electric-bike maker—they're all plowing cash into tokens, helping to send all kinds of digital currencies to record levels. News that a new company plans to buy crypto is enough to send its shares flying—spurring others to consider joining the frenzy.
