Stablecoin issuers and lending protocols have a symbiotic relationship that has been increasingly closer aligned. Stablecoin issuers like MakerDAO are lending protocols through their collateralization, and lending protocols like Aave are arguably a specific type of stablecoin issuer. The specialization of lending protocols has changed the market structure, and stablecoin lenders will become the primary users of lending platforms.
Bloomberg's ‘Odd Lots' podcast this week covered stablecoins and their legitimate use globally as a payment and settlement platform. Stablecoins significantly improve legacy payment systems by offering cheap, near-instant, and light-regulation options for citizens of any country to send US dollar-backed digital assets. This marks one of the leading legitimate use cases of the highly speculative crypto industry.
Brian Armstrong, co-founder & CEO of Coinbase, highlights the impact of decentralized, low-cost, fast payment solutions like stablecoins on global finance, noting the potential to revolutionize everyday transactions and payments by reducing costs and increasing efficiency, similar to the drastic shift seen in the messaging industry.