Stablecoin Definition.

A crypto-asset whose value is stabilized by a peg to a currency (most often the US dollar) and backed by reserves, unlike volatile crypto-assets. The market was worth just over $300 billion in early 2026, led by Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC. In the EU, stablecoins fall under MiCA (as EMTs or ARTs) and, in the US, under the GENIUS Act. Their use as a payment and settlement rail is growing fast, notably for AI agents via x402.

See also

→ MiCA→ GENIUS Act→ x402

Where this term appears

GuidePayment regulationGuidePayments in FranceGuidePayments in Russia and the CISGuidePayments in TurkeyGuidePayments in ArgentinaGuidePayments in BrazilGuidePayments in the Caribbean and Central AmericaGuidePayments in Argentina, Chile, and UruguayGuidePayments in the USGuidePayments in Mexico and the AndesGuidePayments in Peru, Bolivia, and EcuadorGuidePayments in Japan

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