As Prices Plummet, Tron Buys 500 Bitcoin For Its Stablecoin Reserve

Ambar Warrick
May 10, 2022
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Tron is building its stablecoin reserve

Tron founder Justin Sun said on Tuesday that the blockchain had capitalized on a recent drop in Bitcoin (BTC) prices and bought 500 tokens.

The tokens were purchased for $15.5 million, representing an average price of $31,031. BTC is currently trading around $31,900- having slightly recovered from an overnight crash to $29,000.

Tron said the move was to “safeguard the overall blockchain industry and crypto market,” although it was not immediately clear how the blockchain would do so. The tokens will be placed in the blockchain’s reserve for its stablecoin USDD.

But the blockchain isn’t the only entity capitalizing on a BTC crash. On-chain data shows that a slew of whales and institutions are buying into the token at bargain prices.

Tron founder Justin Sun said its BTC buy today was also inspired by a similar move by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.

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Tron is building its stablecoin reserve

Tron recently launched its own algorithmically-backed stablecoin, USDD, which it intends to back with a $10 billion reserve. The blockchain is also offering a staggering 30% yield on the token.

So far, the blockchain has gathered several notable crypto entities to contribute to its USDD reserve, including Alameda Research, and crypto unicorn Amber Group. While the chain has not disclosed the total value of its reserve, it intends to cap it off at $10 billion.

But Tron’s efforts to build and back an algorithmic stablecoin may be happening during a difficult time for the space, especially given with the recent failure of Terra’s UST.

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Algorithmic stablecoins undermined by UST crash

UST prices de-pegged heavily from the dollar during the latest crypto crash, going as low as $0.6. The minting and burning mechanism to protect the $1 peg had largely failed, and saw Terra dump the entirety of its BTC holdings to support the token.

The move has drawn widespread ire from the crypto community. It has also largely undermined the viability of an algorithmic stablecoin, given that UST is the largest player in the space.

USDD’s similarity to UST has already drawn comparisons between the two. With the recent crash, scrutiny of USDD is likely to increase.

Still, USDD appears to have largely maintained its peg through the recent market crash.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
With more than five years of experience covering global financial markets, Ambar intends to leverage this knowledge towards the rapidly expanding world of crypto and DeFi. His interest lies chiefly in finding how geopolitical developments can impact crypto markets, and what that could mean for your bitcoin holdings. When he isn't trawling through the web for the latest breaking news, you can find him playing videogames or watching Seinfeld reruns. You can reach him at [email protected]
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.