Glossary

Stablecoins, RWA & Tokenization

What is reserve backing for a stablecoin?

Reserve backing is the pool of assets a stablecoin issuer holds to support the value of its tokens and honor redemptions. For a fiat-backed stablecoin, this is typically cash and short-term instruments held so each token can be exchanged for its reference value. The quality and liquidity of these reserves matter: holdings that are cash-like are easier to redeem under stress than illiquid or risky assets. Reserve backing is what gives a peg credibility, which is why issuers publish attestations on their holdings.

Related terms

Ready to go beyond the definition?

Join the waitlist for early access to the QSI Crypto Indices.

Join the waitlist