2026-02-13 08:06:29
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What are stablecoins and why do they "glue" the economy together?
Stablecoins are digital assets whose value is pegged to a stable external asset, most often the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. Unlike volatile Bitcoin or Ether, stablecoins have become a "safe harbor" for traders and a real-world payment method for millions of people.
Today, they act as a bridge:
In the crypto world: A universal tool for locking in profits and providing liquidity on exchanges.
In the real economy: A method for instant cross-border transfers, paying for services, and preserving capital in countries with high inflation.
Why Tron? The Path to Absolute Leadership
If Ethereum can be compared to an exclusive business center where every entry requires a high fee, then Tron is a high-speed, accessible highway. The Tron blockchain has become the undisputed leader in the stablecoin ecosystem thanks to three factors:
USDT Dominance: The majority of the world's most popular stablecoin circulates right here.
Minimal Costs: Fees on the Tron network are tens of times lower than on Ethereum, and with the right approach, transactions can be completely free.
Mass Adoption: Due to its simplicity and support from all major exchanges, the TRC-20 standard has become the default choice for businesses and individuals.
Relevance and Thesis
As of early 2026, the market capitalization of stablecoins on the Tron network reached an impressive ~$84 billion, with daily trading volumes in the billions of dollars. In this article, we will break down how this machine works, which assets operate within it, and how to use them for maximum benefit.
Brief Overview of Key Players:
USDT (Tether): The shadow giant and network locomotive.
USDD: A decentralized answer with over-collateralization.
USDJ: A product of the JUST ecosystem, operating on a collateralized debt model.
From Justin Sun's Idea to an Independent Mainnet
Tron's history began in 2017 under the leadership of the ambitious Justin Sun. Initially, the project was based on Ethereum (ERC-20 standard), but by 2018, it had completed a massive migration to its own Mainnet. This was not just a change of address, but a shift to a fundamentally new architecture.
Key Technical Features:
DPoS (Delegated Proof of Stake): Unlike mining, network security is provided by 27 elected Super Representatives. This allows for enormous speed.
Scalability: Tron can process over 2,000 transactions per second (TPS), making it ideal for micropayments.
TRC-20 Standard: The technical protocol on which stablecoins are issued on the Tron network, having become a benchmark for speed and low cost.
Resource Economics: Energy and Bandwidth
One of Tron's unique features is its economic model. Instead of simply "burning" the native coin, TRX, for fees, the network offers a resource system:
Bandwidth: Allows the transaction itself to be performed.
Energy: Required for the operation of smart contracts (this is what is consumed when transferring USDT).
Users can stake (freeze) their TRX, receiving these resources in return. This allows large players and active users to transfer millions of dollars with zero fees. TRX also grants voting rights in network governance.
Key Network Metrics (2025–2026 Data)
The numbers speak for themselves:
User Accounts: >300 million unique addresses.
TVL (Total Value Locked): Tron consistently holds a Top-3 position among blockchains by volume of locked funds.
Transactions: The network processes billions of requests annually, confirming its status as the most in-demand payment layer in the crypto world.
The Tron ecosystem resembles a bustling metropolis, where different types of stablecoins fulfill their roles—from everyday payments to complex DeFi strategies.
USDT accounts for more than 98% of the total stablecoin supply on the network. It is the world's most popular digital dollar, and Tron has become its primary base.
2026 Statistics: The issuance volume on the network stands at $80–84+ billion, covering between 50% and 75% of Tether's total global supply.
Secret to Success: Low fees have made it the standard for cross-border transfers (remittances) and retail payments. Most exchanges use TRC-20 as the default network for deposits and withdrawals.
Launched in May 2022, USDD has undergone a transformation from a purely algorithmic model to USDD 2.0—an over-collateralized stablecoin.
Mechanism: Minting and burning occur through the collateralization of assets (TRX, BTC, USDT), with the collateral ratio maintained at >200%.
Ecosystem: USDD supports multi-chain integration (Ethereum, BNB Chain, etc.) and offers yield through staking sUSDD.
Transparency: All reserves are managed by the TRON DAO Reserve and are available for real-time on-chain auditing. Despite past episodes of short-term de-pegging, the asset maintains a market cap of around $1 billion.
USDJ is a stablecoin fully collateralized by TRX within the JustLend protocol (CDP model).
To mint USDJ, you must deposit TRX with a collateralization ratio of at least 150%.
Stability is maintained by the TRFM feedback mechanism, making it a key tool for lending and borrowing within Tron's DeFi sector.
Following Circle's discontinuation of USDC support on the Tron network in 2024, TUSD and the real-world asset-focused stUSDT are attempting to fill the niche.
To understand why stablecoins on Tron work the way they do, you need to look "under the hood" at their collateral and the network's resource model.
Types of Collateral: Fiat vs. Crypto
Two fundamentally different models coexist in the ecosystem:
Fiat-backed (USDT): Each token is backed by real dollars or their equivalents (bonds, bills) in Tether's bank accounts.
Crypto-overcollateralized (USDD, USDJ): Volatile cryptocurrencies serve as collateral. To minimize risk, the system requires collateral significantly exceeding the issued amount (over-collateralization).
Operational Cycles: Mint, Burn, and Arbitrage
Price stability is ensured by Peg Stability Modules (PSM) and the work of arbitrageurs:
If the stablecoin's price on an exchange exceeds $1, arbitrageurs mint new coins via the protocol and sell them on the market.
If the price falls below $1, they buy the cheap coins and burn them, reclaiming the more valuable collateral.
The Resource Model: The Magic of a Free Network
Tron's main differentiator from competitors is the division of resources into Energy and Bandwidth.
Transferring regular TRX only requires Bandwidth.
Transferring stablecoins (a smart contract call) requires a significant amount of Energy.
How to save: Users can stake (freeze) their TRX to generate these resources themselves. This allows them to conduct USDT transactions virtually for free, while on Ethereum, users are forced to pay "gas" with real money for every operation.
Transparency and Auditing
Transparency is critically important for decentralized assets (USDD/USDJ). Thanks to the blockchain, any user can visit the TRON DAO Reserve website and personally verify the existence and amount of collateral, eliminating the need for blind trust in centralized auditors.
Triple Benefit: Fees, Speed, and Scale
The Tron network has cemented its status as the most efficient blockchain for transferring value, successfully competing with industry giants:
Low Fees: Unlike Ethereum, where transaction costs can reach tens of dollars, transfers on the Tron network are many times cheaper, or even free when using resources.
Speed and Scalability: Tron's architecture provides high throughput, enabling faster transactions than the Ethereum network.
Key Metrics 2024–2026: Impressive Numbers
The ecosystem's development dynamics in recent years confirm its status as the "King of Stablecoins":
Explosive Cap Growth: The total stablecoin supply on the network has shown tenfold growth, reaching approximately $84 billion by the 2025–2026 period.
Record Volumes: In 2024 alone, the volume of USDT transactions exceeded a colossal $5 trillion.
Global Dominance: Tron now accounts for about 60% of all global stablecoin payment activity.
Absolute Network Records
Tron demonstrates the highest level of user and capital activity:
Active Audience: The number of Monthly Active Addresses (MAU) has surpassed the 100 million mark.
Total Accounts: Over 300 million unique users are now registered on the system.
Large Capital: The network consistently records high "whale activity," ensuring deep system liquidity.
The Tron ecosystem has long since moved beyond being a "blockchain for traders," becoming a full-fledged financial infrastructure for the real world.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Stablecoins on Tron are the fuel for a powerful ecosystem of protocols:
Lending and Borrowing: On protocols like JustLend and JustStable, users can utilize their assets to obtain loans or provide liquidity for interest.
Swaps and Yield: The DEX platform SUN.io provides instant stablecoin swaps and participation in liquidity pools.
Real Economy and Payments
Where the traditional banking system hesitates, Tron offers instant solutions:
Cross-Border Transfers (Remittances): The use of USDT TRC-20 has become the global standard for fast and cheap money transfers between countries.
Payment Solutions: Integration with crypto cards like Kolo allows users to pay with digital dollars in everyday life.
Business Processes: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are actively adopting salary payments in stablecoins to optimize settlement speed.
Yield and Staking
The network offers several ways to generate passive income:
Staking TRX: Not only does it generate interest (APR), but it also produces Energy and Bandwidth for making free transfers.
Yield-Bearing Stablecoins: USDD and its staking version, sUSDD, offer competitive yields for holders.
Integrations and Market Development
Tron is actively expanding its influence in the global digital space:
Wide Support: Tron stablecoins are integrated into all leading wallets (Trust Wallet, OneKey, TronLink) and on the largest exchanges.
Free Transfers: In 2025–2026, initiatives to subsidize fees for the mass market (free transfers initiatives) are being actively promoted, serving as the main trigger for users migrating from other networks.
RWA and Emerging Markets: The adoption of tokenized Real World Assets (RWA) is actively occurring in regions with developing economies (emerging markets).
Stablecoins on Tron don't just "sit" in wallets—they operate within a developed DeFi infrastructure. As of early 2026, the network's TVL (Total Value Locked) exceeds $25 billion, the majority of which is concentrated in the four pillars of the ecosystem.
Key Protocols
JustLend DAO: The largest lending protocol with a TVL exceeding $7 billion. Users can deposit their stablecoins to earn interest (e.g., yield on USDD reaches 7% APR) or take out loans collateralized by crypto assets.
JustStable: The platform responsible for issuing the USDJ stablecoin. It is the core of Tron's decentralized stability.
SUN.io: The main liquidity hub. The SunCurve and PSM (Peg Stability Module) modules allow swapping USDT for USDD or other stablecoins with near-zero slippage and minimal fees.
TRON DAO Reserve: The organization ensuring transparency and over-collateralization for USDD, managing reserves of BTC, TRX, and USDT.
More Than DeFi: Gaming and NFTs
While stablecoins are the foundation, the Tron ecosystem includes thousands of dApps. Stablecoins are actively used in gaming projects (GameFi) and on NFT marketplaces as a stable unit of account, protecting players and collectors from the volatility of TRX.
Strategic Partnerships
Tron is not a closed system. Thanks to close cooperation with Tether, the largest exchanges, and payment services, TRC-20 stablecoins have become "native" to most crypto services worldwide.
The main event of the last two years has been the GasFree initiative, which turned Tron into the most formidable challenger to Ethereum and Solana in the battle for the mass user.
The Concept of Subsidized Fees
In 2025, Tron launched technology allowing fees to be paid directly in USDT. It is no longer necessary to buy TRX for "gas" to transfer stablecoins.
Protocol Subsidies: Thanks to support from JustLend DAO and other partners, the cost of a USDT transaction was reduced by 60-90%.
Transactions for $0: For many types of operations, fees were completely eliminated using ecosystem funds, making Tron the de facto free payment layer for millions of people.
The Migration Trigger: Why Leave Other Networks?
While Ethereum users still contend with unpredictable "gas," and Solana users face questions of network stability during peak loads, Tron offered stability + free transactions:
Predictable Costs: The user always knows that a USDT transfer costs a fixed amount (or 0), regardless of network congestion.
Beginner-Friendly: Eliminating the need to hold the native token (TRX) to pay for gas removes the main barrier to entry for the mass market.
Real-World Adoption Use Cases
Crypto Cards (Kolo, Wirex): In 2026, integration with cards allows instant balance top-ups via USDT TRC-20 and payments in stores. About 30% of the volume of such services now flows through the Tron network.
RWA (Real World Assets): Tron is actively implementing tokenized bonds and funds, allowing users to gain exposure to traditional market yields while remaining within the security of the blockchain.
Despite its dominance, the stablecoin ecosystem on Tron faces serious challenges. Investors and users need to understand the flip side of the network's high efficiency.
Problems with Decentralized Assets (USDD and USDJ)
Collateral Volatility: Although USDD 2.0 has transitioned to an over-collateralization model (>200%), sharp downturns in the crypto asset market (BTC, TRX) can put pressure on the peg. History has seen short-term deviations of USDD from $1, requiring users to constantly monitor the collateral ratio.
Maintaining Collateral: In a bear market, maintaining a high level of liquidity to buy back coins becomes a challenge for the TRON DAO Reserve.
The Centralization Factor
Tron is often criticized for its high concentration of power. Decisions by TRON DAO and the significant influence of network founder Justin Sun create risks of a "single point of failure." Unlike fully decentralized networks, here, political or legal decisions by leadership can instantly impact the entire ecosystem.
Combating Illegal Activity: T3 FCU (2024–2026)
For a long time, Tron was considered a "gray zone" for suspicious transactions due to its low cost. However, in 2024, the T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU) was created—a joint initiative of Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs.
2025 Results: In its first year of operation, the unit froze over $300 million in criminal assets.
Outcome: This significantly improved the network's reputation but sparked discussions about the possibility of freezing any user's funds at the request of regulators.
Regulatory Pressure and the Departure of USDC
In 2024, Circle ceased issuance of USDC on Tron, citing "compliance risks." This was a signal: U.S. regulators are closely watching Tether. Any sanctions against the issuer of USDT could paralyze up to 90% of Tron's economy, as USDT's fiat reserves (unlike USDD) are fully centralized.
For objectivity, let's compare Tron with its main competitors in 2026.
Characteristic | Tron (TRC-20) | Ethereum (ERC-20) | Solana (SPL)
Fees | Low / $0 (with resources) | High ($5–$50) | Ultra-low (<$0.01)
Speed | High (3–15 sec) | Low (minutes) | Instant (<1 sec)
Target Audience | Retail, payments, SMEs | Institutional, whales | DeFi traders, fintech
Network Stability | Impeccable (99.9%) | High | Medium (occasional outages)
Tron vs. Ethereum: Payments vs. Capital
Ethereum remains the "gold standard" for institutional investors and large funds due to its maximum decentralization. However, it is unsuitable for daily transfers due to high gas fees. Tron won this battle in the real-world payments and remittances segment.
Tron vs. Solana: Reliability vs. Speed
In 2025–2026, Solana became a powerful player thanks to support from Visa and PayPal (PYUSD). It is faster than Tron, but Tron maintains its leadership due to the deepest USDT liquidity and higher network stability (uptime). For businesses, Tron's predictability is more important than Solana's extra millisecond of speed.
Pros and Cons of Tron by Stablecoin Metrics:
Advantages: The largest base of USDT addresses, support from absolutely all global exchanges, and a unique Energy model.
Disadvantages: Less variety of DeFi tools compared to Ethereum, and reputational risks due to centralization.
Tron's journey from an ambitious startup to a "global settlement layer" took less than a decade. Here's how it happened:
2018–2021: The USDT Era. After launching its mainnet in 2018 and migrating from Ethereum, Tron bet on speed. In 2019, Tether (USDT) officially joined the network, and by 2021, Tron had overtaken Ethereum in circulating USDT volume, becoming the #1 choice for everyday users.
2022: The Birth of USDD. In response to market demand for decentralization, USDD was launched. Despite the turbulence in the crypto market that year, the project survived and transitioned to an over-collateralization model.
2024: A Year of Records and Purification. This year was a turning point. Despite the departure of USDC (Circle), the network set transaction records. The most important event was the creation of T3 FCU, a system for combating financial crime, which made Tron more comprehensible to regulators.
2025–2026: Scale and Accessibility. Tron reached an incredible milestone of 300+ million accounts. Integration with wallets like MetaMask (2026) and the launch of "free transaction" programs finally cemented the network's status as the main payment hub.
What awaits the ecosystem next? Tron has no intention of resting on its laurels.
RWA: Real Assets Enter the Blockchain
The main trend of 2026 is RWA (Real World Assets). This is the tokenization of real assets: treasury bonds, real estate, or gold. Tron is actively implementing protocols (e.g., Plume and stUSDT) that allow users worldwide to invest in reliable U.S. and European instruments directly from their TRC-20 wallets.
Yield-Bearing Stablecoins
The era of stablecoins just "sitting" in a balance is ending. In 2026, the focus is shifting to sUSDD and its counterparts, which automatically accrue interest for holding. This turns your wallet into a full-fledged savings account.
Further Barrier Reduction
Even Lower Fees: Tron is continuing to develop a model where businesses can subsidize fees for their clients. This means that for the end-user (a grandmother in Argentina or a freelancer in Asia), the blockchain will become invisible—money will simply arrive instantly and for free.
Institutional Recognition: It is expected that more and more large companies and even government entities will use Tron to publish financial data and conduct cross-border settlements.
Potential: Can anyone dethrone Tron? Competitors like Solana are fast, but Tron possesses something that is hard to buy—the trust of millions of users in developing countries and colossal liquidity.
Knowledge of low fees is useless if you don't know how to use them. We've put together a step-by-step guide to protect you from typical beginner mistakes.
Step 1: Choosing and Setting Up a Wallet
To store USDT, USDD, and other TRC-20 standard tokens, you will need a reliable wallet:
TronLink: The best choice for active users. It is the ecosystem's "native" wallet, supporting all functions: from staking to Energy management and connecting to DeFi apps.
Trust Wallet: An excellent option for beginners. A multi-currency mobile wallet with a simple interface.
Ledger: A hardware wallet for those storing large amounts and prioritizing security above all else.
Important: In most wallets, USDT TRC-20 needs to be added manually via the "Add Token" button, by pasting the contract address or selecting it from the list of popular assets.
Step 2: Buying and Making a Correct Transfer
The easiest entry path is through centralized exchanges.
Buy USDT with fiat or another cryptocurrency.
Go to the "Withdraw" section.
Critical Moment: In the "Network" field, be sure to select TRC-20 (TRX). An error at this stage (e.g., selecting ERC-20) will result in you sending money to a different network and paying a high fee.
If you already have assets, you can use a DEX (e.g., SunSwap) for instant swaps within the network.
Security: Always verify the USDT contract address (e.g., TR7NHqjeKQxGTCi8q8ZY4pL8otSzgjLj6t) and never share your secret phrase.
Step 3: The Magic of Free Transactions (Energy & Bandwidth)
To avoid paying for gas in TRX, you need to master resource management.
Bandwidth: Granted free to every account daily. It is needed for regular TRX transfers.
Energy: Needed to interact with smart contracts (USDT transfers).
How to get it: Stake (freeze) about 1500–2000 TRX in your TronLink wallet on the "Stake" tab. This will give you enough Energy to make daily USDT transfers absolutely free.
Step 4: Advanced Level – Mint and Staking
If you want to earn, not just spend:
Mint: You can mint USDJ or USDD stablecoins yourself by locking your TRX as collateral on the JustStable or TDOR platforms.
Staking: Send your USDD or TRX to stake on JustLend to earn passive income (APR).
Step 5: Monitoring and Control
Always check the network and transaction status using official tools:
Tronscan: The main block explorer. You can check the status of a transfer by its hash (TxID) and see your real-time Energy balance.
DefiLlama: The best service for analyzing global metrics, TVL, and stablecoin volumes.
Conclusion
Summary: Tron – The Operating System for Digital Money
By 2026, the Tron network has finally cemented its dominance in the stablecoin space. It is no longer just an alternative to Ethereum, but an independent financial giant through which the lion's share of global USDT transactions flow.
Significance for the Crypto Industry
Tron has proven that cryptocurrency can be a fast, cheap, and understandable tool for mass adoption. Whether it's a cross-border transfer to a freelancer, paying for coffee with a crypto card, or preserving savings in USDD—the Tron ecosystem has become the bridge that connected complex blockchain technologies with the needs of real people, delivering true Mass Adoption.
