If you’ve used the BitcoinVN Exchange, you may have noticed that some stablecoins – like USDT or USDC – appear in multiple versions on the same network.
Confusing? You’re not alone.
So what’s the difference? And how do you make sure you don’t pick the wrong one and lose your funds?
What follows is our quick primer on stablecoins.
1. Wait… what even is a stablecoin?
I thought all crypto was volatile. How does a stablecoin stay stable?
A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, usually pegged to a fiat currency like the US dollar. It stays stable based on trust in the issuer, which promises to hold sufficient liquid reserves to guarantee 1:1 redeemability at all times.
At present, USDT (by Tether) and USDC (by Circle) are the most reputable and widely used stablecoins, with minimal risk of unforeseen issues.
Both are available for on- and off-ramping on the BitcoinVN instant swap exchange across all major blockchains.
2. What’s the difference between “real” stablecoins and “IOUs”?
They both claim to be worth the same amount… so why does it matter?
It doesn’t matter – until it does.
If you’re just using stablecoins for short-term transfers, the risk is low, but in the rare case of a “black swan” event (like issuer solvency issues causing a depeg), you could end up holding a stablecoin worth less than $1.
A “real” stablecoin only carries the risk of its issuer (Tether, Circle) going insolvent.
A stablecoin IOU, however, adds another layer of counterparty risk from the IOU issuer (often crypto foundations or similar entities).
When in doubt – especially for long-term holdings – always choose the real, natively issued stablecoin.
3. Does this mean some stablecoins are fake?
If “real” stablecoins exist, are IOUs just pretend money?
A real stablecoin is a direct liability of its issuer (e.g., Tether or Circle), meaning you are their creditor and rely on their reserves for redemption.
A stablecoin IOU, however, is issued by a separate entity – not Tether or Circle – making you a creditor of that organization instead, adding another layer of risk.
Stablecoins IOUs rely on an extra (and often unnecessary) layer of trust.
4. Where do I actually “hold” a stablecoin?
If I have a stablecoin in my wallet, how do I know if it’s a real one or just an IOU?
If you have a real stablecoin, it means you hold a token directly created by Tether (USDT) or Circle (USDC) on a blockchain like Ethereum, Tron, Solana or Liquid. You’re their creditor, and they owe you the dollar backing it.
If you have an IOU stablecoin, it means some other company gave you a promise (not the actual stablecoin) that they will give you USDT/USDC if you ask. You’re trusting both the issuer of the IOU and the original stablecoin issuer. Even if Tether or Circle backs their stablecoins 1:1, you still depend on the IOU issuer to actually redeem it for you.
To check, look up the token’s contract address—if it matches what Tether or Circle says, it’s real. If not, it’s an IOU.
5. How can I check if my stablecoin is real or an IOU?
Is there a simple way to verify if I’m holding the native stablecoin or just an IOU?
Unless you have deep expertise, you are likely better off to stay with the few reputable and natively issued stablecoins such as USDT / USDC.
If you are in doubt and are an active customer of BitcoinVN, you can always reach out to us for clarification via support@bitcoinvn.io before swapping your stablecoins into Vietnamese Dong or any other supported asset on our instant swap platform.
6. Can I swap between a “real” stablecoin and an “IOU” version?
If I get an IOU by accident, can I convert it to the real thing?
If your IOU stablecoin comes from a (reasonably) trusted issuer, you can likely swap it for the real thing, and its value should stay close to 1:1.
BitcoinVN’s instant swap service often lets you do this easily – no account needed. Just double-check that you’re sending the right token when placing your order!
7. Is there extra risk with IOU stablecoins?
If they both look the same, what’s the worst that could happen if I hold the wrong one?
Yes (see graphic above), IOU stablecoins carry extra risk because you’re relying on an additional middleman to honor their promise. Unlike holding USDT or USDC directly, you are an unsecured creditor of the IOU issuer – not Tether or Circle.
If the IOU issuer fails, freezes withdrawals, or disappears, your IOU could become worthless.
Worst-case scenario? You lose everything.
Always verify the issuer and backer of your stablecoins & tokens.
8. Which stablecoins can be considered “real”?
Are USDT (Tether), USDC (Circle), and DAI trustworthy, or are some of them just IOUs?
Yes, at the moment, BitcoinVN’s internal risk management team has high confidence in the native issuance of USDT (Tether) and USDC (Circle).
DAI has also been around for a long time, but (as we detail in our article) we recommend keeping exposure limited.
Other stablecoins may be legitimate, but we currently do not provide specific risk assessments for them and maintain very limited exposure ourselves.
9. Does this mean I can get rugged?
Is there a chance I think I own real stablecoins, but one day I find out I actually don’t?
If you hold stablecoins in your own wallet (“not your keys, not your coins!”), you’re in a much safer position than relying on a third party to hold the keys for you. However, risks still exist.
The primary theoretical concern is whether the issuer (e.g., Tether for USDT, Circle for USDC) fully backs each token with real reserves. If an issuer collapses, faces regulatory action, or fails to maintain proper backing, your stablecoins could lose value – or even become worthless.
Some stablecoins also have built-in blacklist functions, allowing issuers to freeze funds under certain conditions (e.g., regulatory enforcement).
To minimize risk, it’s best to stick to well-established stablecoins with transparent reserve audits and avoid overexposure to any single issuer.
For clarity: BitcoinVN’s risk management team currently assesses the bankruptcy risk of both Tether and Circle as very low, and considers them highly trustworthy in terms of default risk.
That said, always conduct your own risk assessment – especially when dealing with amounts you can’t afford to lose.
10. What is the best wallet to hold my stablecoins in?
What are the safest options for storing my stablecoins?
We strongly recommend using a hardware wallet to store your stablecoins safely.
Relying only on software wallets is risky – cybercriminals are constantly improving their tactics, targeting easy victims. A single misclick or security lapse on your computer could cost you your funds.
Invest in your defense. A hardware wallet from reputable brands like Trezor or Ledger protects you from most common cyber threats – making it a smart risk/reward investment.
If you’re using USDT (Tether) on the Liquid Network, consider a Blockstream Jade or Jade Plus wallet.
For those in Vietnam, our colleagues at BitcoinVN Shop are the official supplier for Ledger, Trezor, and Blockstream products. They handle customs, so your order arrives hassle-free at your doorstep.
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Looking for more personalized advice on keeping your stablecoins safe and avoiding costly mistakes?
Our inhouse BitcoinVN Consulting team is available for personal bookings.
