Crypto-Backed Stablecoin

A crypto-backed stablecoin (DAI is the standard) holds its peg with on-chain collateral instead of bank dollars: lock $170 of ETH, mint $100 of DAI. If col

A crypto-backed stablecoin (DAI is the standard) holds its peg with on-chain collateral instead of bank dollars: lock $170 of ETH, mint $100 of DAI. If collateral value falls toward the loan, automatic liquidation sells it to protect the peg — no humans, no banks involved.

Why it matters

It’s the decentralization-respecting stable design — transparent reserves anyone can audit live, no freezer switch on ordinary holders. The price is capital inefficiency and reflexive risk: in a market crash, mass liquidations can strain the peg exactly when stability matters most. Know which backing your “dollars” rely on before you need them to hold.

Related terms

stablecoin ·
collateral · liquidation

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