Home Bond screener Top picks Pricing Readings About

Readings

Author
Vladimir Tarantaev, CFA, PMP
Vladimir Tarantaev, a CFA expert in fixed income, has a strong track record in credit analysis at CIS banks and a diverse background in math-physics and astronomy.
Vladimir Tarantaev
Back
27.08.2025
Stablecoin Bonds: Lost in (Regulatory) Translation
Stablecoin Bonds: Lost in (Regulatory) Translation
13

For millions of crypto users holding USDC or USDT, a bond that pays yield in the same token sounds like the perfect savings product. But after a short burst of activity last year, the pipeline has gone dry in 2025. Why did a concept that seemed tailor-made for crypto investors suddenly lose momentum, and could it be preparing for a stronger comeback?

Stablecoin-denominated bonds had a breakout moment in 2024, when several pioneering issuances showed that debt instruments could be structured, issued, and settled directly in tokens like USDC. But so far in 2025, the market has gone quiet - with no new public transactions.

Last year’s deals included PV01 and Digital Bonds Ltd’s USDC 5 million bond, backed by a U.S. Treasury bill and arranged under English law. The issue was widely cited as a landmark for on-chain fixed income. Later in the year, B2C2 placed a USDC 2.8 million corporate note, and French-listed computer maker Metavisio partnered with Obligate to launch a USDC-denominated program with capacity of up to USDC 20 million. Though small in size, these transactions proved the concept and generated strong industry interest.

This year, however, no comparable deals have followed. The slowdown is not due to lack of technical feasibility but to practical challenges. Regulation remains unsettled — the U.S. and Europe are still finalizing frameworks for stablecoins, making issuers cautious. The investor base is narrow, since most institutions are not permitted to hold assets denominated in USDC or USDT. Stablecoins also lack the deep repo and hedging markets that make traditional currencies attractive to large issuers. As a result, issuers have preferred to focus on fiat-denominated digital bonds, which deliver the benefits of blockchain settlement without the complications of stablecoin denomination.

Still, the idea has not lost relevance. For retail investors, stablecoin-denominated bonds remain highly appealing. Many crypto users already hold USDC or USDT as a cash equivalent, and bonds paying coupons in the same currency could provide a simple, transparent way to earn yield. Lower entry sizes and on-chain accessibility make such products especially well-suited to retail distribution. Institutions, too, continue to watch the space.

Bondfish opinion

So, as stablecoins gain regulatory acceptance and integrate further into financial infrastructure, we believe that stablecoin-denominated bonds could evolve from niche experiments into a scalable funding channel. And soon the market could be set for a second, more substantial wave of issuance.

Author
Vladimir Tarantaev, CFA, PMP
Vladimir Tarantaev, a CFA expert in fixed income, has a strong track record in credit analysis at CIS banks and a diverse background in math-physics and astronomy.
Vladimir Tarantaev
This article does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bondfish does not recommend using the data and information provided as the only basis for making any investment decision. You should not make any investment decisions without first conducting your own research and considering your own financial situation.
Translate
Warning! The translation is automatic and may contain errors.