Comparing Stablecoins and Non-Stable Cryptocurrencies in the Dynamics of the Cryptocurrency Market

Résumé

This study investigates the growing role of stablecoins within the global financial system and examines their potential integration into traditional foreign exchange markets. Despite the rapid expansion of stablecoins, empirical evidence comparing their market dynamics with those of non-stable cryptocurrencies remains limited. To address this gap, the study adopts a descriptive case study design based on documentary analysis and secondary quantitative market data. The documentary review establishes the theoretical foundations of stablecoins and their relevance to foreign exchange markets, while the quantitative analysis relies on market data collected from CCData, DefiLlama, and Statista. Weekly market observations covering the period from April 2019 to May 2024 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, volatility measures, Pearson correlation analysis, and one-way ANOVA.

The findings reveal that stablecoins exhibit significantly lower price volatility than Bitcoin while maintaining high levels of market liquidity and trading activity. Among the analyzed assets, Tether (USDT) remains the dominant stablecoin, followed by USD Coin (USDC) and Binance USD (BUSD). The statistical analysis confirms significant differences between stablecoins and Bitcoin, highlighting the distinct market behavior of reserve-backed digital assets. These findings suggest that stablecoins have evolved beyond their traditional role as cryptocurrency trading instruments and are increasingly functioning as efficient mechanisms for cross-border payments, liquidity management, and decentralized finance applications.

This study contributes to the literature by providing an integrated empirical comparison of stablecoins and non-stable cryptocurrencies while demonstrating how the stability, liquidity, and operational characteristics of reserve-backed digital assets may facilitate their future integration into traditional foreign exchange markets. The findings also provide practical implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and regulators seeking to develop secure and efficient digital payment infrastructures supported by appropriate regulatory frameworks.

JEL Classification : F31, G15, E42, O33.

Type du papier : Empirical research article.