Frax Stablecoin: A Comprehensive Overview

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Frax Stablecoin is a decentralized stablecoin that uses a unique algorithm to maintain its value. It was created by the Frax team, a group of experienced developers and economists.

Frax Stablecoin is collateralized by a combination of collateral assets, including Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. This allows it to maintain its peg to the US dollar, even in times of high market volatility.

The Frax algorithm is designed to adjust the supply of stablecoins based on market conditions, ensuring that the value remains stable. This is achieved through a combination of on-chain and off-chain mechanisms.

Frax Stablecoin has gained popularity among traders and investors due to its unique design and low fees.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Stablecoin Market Capitalization

How to Acquire and Use

You can acquire FRAX on various cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken using other cryptocurrencies or fiat money, or on decentralized exchanges like Curve and Uniswap.

Alternatively, you can consider minting FRAX directly through the Frax Finance platform, but keep in mind that this involves providing collateral and minting won't be possible if the FRAX price is too low (needs to be more than $1.0033).

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To use FRAX, you'll need to understand its unique fractional-algorithmic system, which means parts of its supply are backed by collateral and parts are algorithmic, with the ratio depending on the market's pricing of the FRAX stablecoin.

Here's a quick rundown of how FRAX works:

How to Acquire

You can acquire FRAX on various cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken using other cryptocurrencies or fiat money.

To get started, you can buy FRAX on Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken, which are well-established and reputable exchanges.

Alternatively, you can also purchase FRAX on decentralized exchanges like Curve and Uniswap.

If you want to acquire FRAX directly, you can consider minting it through the Frax Finance platform.

Keep in mind that minting FRAX involves providing collateral, so make sure you have the necessary assets before proceeding.

Minting FRAX through the Frax Finance platform won't be possible if the FRAX price is too low, which is currently set at $1.0033 or higher.

On a similar theme: Build Finance DAO

How to Use

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Using FRAX is quite straightforward. You can use it as a store of value, holding onto it for long-term growth.

FRAX can also be used as a medium of exchange in the cryptoeconomy, making it a viable option for everyday transactions. Just like using cash or credit cards, but digital.

For those interested in earning opportunities, FRAX can be used in various decentralized finance (DeFi) apps. These apps offer lending and yield farming options, allowing you to earn interest on your FRAX holdings.

Info

The Frax Protocol is the first fractional-algorithmic stablecoin system. It's open-source, permissionless, and entirely on-chain, currently implemented on Ethereum with possible cross-chain implementations in the future.

Frax is a unique stablecoin with parts of its supply backed by collateral and parts of the supply algorithmic. The ratio of collateralized and algorithmic depends on the market's pricing of the FRAX stablecoin.

If FRAX is trading at above $1, the protocol decreases the collateral ratio. If FRAX is trading at under $1, the protocol increases the collateral ratio.

Recommended read: Meme Coin Trading

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Frax uses Uniswap (ETH, USDT, USDC time-weighted average prices) and Chainlink (USD price) oracles, which are fully on-chain.

There are two tokens in the Frax system: FRAX, the stablecoin targeting a tight band around $1/coin, and Frax Shares (FXS), the governance token which accrues fees, seigniorage revenue, and excess collateral value.

Here's a quick rundown of the four types of stablecoins, with Frax being the first to introduce the fractional-algorithmic category:

Key Features and Mechanics

The Frax minting and redeeming mechanism is key to maintaining FRAX token's stable peg to USDC. This mechanism allows users to mint FRAX by supplying collateral tokens (currently USDC stablecoins) and governance tokens (FXS).

A 50% collateral ratio means that one dollar worth of FRAX can be minted by providing $0.50 USDC and $0.50 worth of FXS. This means that users have flexibility in how they collateralize their FRAX.

For every FRAX token minted, $0.50 of FXS is burnt, which reduces the circulating quantity of FXS. This creates a resilient tokenomic model for FXS that's meant to ensure price stability for FRAX.

For your interest: Token Unlocks Crypto

Token Minting

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The Frax minting mechanism is key to maintaining FRAX token's stable peg to USDC. Users can mint new FRAX tokens by supplying both collateral tokens, currently USDC stablecoins, and governance tokens, FXS.

A 50% collateral ratio means that one dollar worth of FRAX can be minted by providing $0.50 USDC and $0.50 worth of FXS. This is just one example, but the ratio can be adjusted to suit the needs of the protocol.

When new FRAX stablecoins are minted, FXS is burned proportionally to the uncollateralized amount. In the case of a 50% collateral ratio, $0.50 of FXS is burnt for every FRAX token minted.

The burning of FXS reduces its circulating quantity, which in turn creates buy pressure for FXS. This is a crucial aspect of the Frax protocol's tokenomics.

Recommended read: Non Fungible Token

Liquidity Pools, Rewards, Staking Tokens

Liquidity pools on Frax allow users to earn rewards in FXS by contributing liquidity to Uniswap pools, making FRAX tokens more tradeable across the decentralized ecosystem.

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Contribution to these pools is a key factor in strengthening the FRAX token's peg and usability.

The protocol mints and distributes FXS by adding liquidity to token pairs on Uniswap, including FRAX/USDC, FRAX/FXS, and FRAX/wETH pools.

Liquidity providers can lock their LP tokens into the protocol for up to 3 years, allowing them to accrue rewards.

The amount of rewards is determined by two boost factors: time locked and collateral ratio.

The time locked boost means that the longer users lock their tokens, the higher their rewards will be.

Security and Governance

The Frax stablecoin's security and governance are designed with user participation in mind. FXS token holders have voting rights that allow them to adjust the rules of existing collateral pools.

FXS voters can also decide on new pools and asset types to be used within the protocol. This means that users have a direct say in the protocol's development and future plans.

FXS is distributed to users who contribute liquidity to different types of Frax-based Uniswap liquidity pools. This incentivizes users to participate in the protocol's governance and helps to secure the network.

A different take: 2 Types of Stablecoins

Asset-Backed Coins

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Asset-Backed Coins are a type of stablecoin that has proven to be largely effective, but some critics argue that they might be susceptible to custodial risks.

The majority of stablecoin protocols in crypto are built on a tokenomic model that leverages fully-backed asset collateralization, where for every stablecoin there must be an equivalent amount of fiat currency or other assets in the providing platform's custody.

For example, DAI, USDC, and GUSD have a 1:1 backing for every asset-backed stablecoin released on their respective platforms.

This method requires on-chain overcollateralization, where users must put up more than they are borrowing from the protocol, and the extra funds are used as insurance for maintaining price equilibrium in case an asset loses its 1:1 price peg.

The Frax minting and redeeming mechanism is a key example of how asset-backed coins can be designed to maintain a stable peg.

In the Frax protocol, users can mint FRAX tokens by supplying not only collateral tokens (currently USDC stablecoins) but also governance tokens (FXS).

On a similar theme: Us Dollar Stablecoin

Credit: youtube.com, What Are Asset Backed Tokens | Cryptocurrency

The percentage proportions of each token are given by the Frax collateral ratio (CR), which determines how much of each token is required to mint a new FRAX token.

For instance, a 50% collateral ratio means that one dollar worth of FRAX can be minted by providing $0.50 USDC and $0.50 worth of FXS.

This mechanism works in reverse when a user chooses to redeem their FRAX for the USDC and FXS they initially provided.

FXS Governance and Utility Token Uses

The Frax crypto platform relies on its native FXS token for several purposes, including governance, staking, and minting FRAX tokens. This token plays a crucial role in the protocol's decision-making process.

FXS is used to grant token holders voting rights, allowing them to adjust the specific rules of existing collateral pools. This means that users have a say in how the protocol operates and can make changes to improve its functionality.

Credit: youtube.com, What Are Governance Tokens and How Do They Work - Extended Edition

Token holders can also use FXS to add new pools and asset types to be used within the protocol. This flexibility allows the Frax platform to adapt to changing market conditions and user needs.

FXS voters have a say in adjusting specific types of protocol fees. This ensures that the protocol remains financially sustainable and that users are not unfairly burdened with excessive fees.

The Frax platform uses FXS to distribute tokens to users who contribute liquidity to different types of Frax-based Uniswap liquidity pools. This incentivizes users to provide liquidity and helps to maintain a healthy and liquid market.

See what others are reading: Top Stablecoins

Reclaims Control After Potential Breach; Investigation Ongoing

After a potential breach, the company took swift action to reassert control over its systems and data.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with a team of experts working to determine the extent of the breach and identify any vulnerabilities that may have been exploited.

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The company's security protocols were found to be inadequate in certain areas, but swift action was taken to rectify the situation.

A thorough review of the company's security measures is being conducted, with the goal of preventing similar incidents in the future.

The company is cooperating fully with regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to address the breach.

For more insights, see: Security Token Offering

Market Stats

The price of FRAX is currently at $0.99583. This is a significant drop from its all-time high of $1.05024.

FRAX has experienced a 0.02% change in the last hour, and a 0.03% change in the past 24 hours. This is a relatively small fluctuation, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

The 7-day change is at 0.09%, and the 30-day change is at 0.08%. This suggests that the market is experiencing some volatility.

Here are the recent changes in FRAX's price:

FRAX's all-time high was reached on September 19, 2021, at a price of $1.05024. This is a significant milestone in the coin's history.

History and Background

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FRAX was launched by Frax Finance in December 2020 as a stablecoin designed to maintain its peg while minimizing collateral requirements.

The protocol's unique approach to algorithmic stability quickly attracted significant attention in the DeFi space and inspired many related projects.

As of today, FRAX has a substantial market cap of $1 billion USD, making it the sixth-largest stablecoin in the cryptoeconomy.

The majority of this market cap exists on Ethereum right now, but there are also currently millions of FRAX on other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains like Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Optimism, and beyond.

Risks and Considerations

The stability of Frax Finance depends on the effective management of the collateral ratio over time, which is a big responsibility for FXS holders.

Poor management of the collateral ratio could lead to Frax losing its peg, which would have significant consequences.

Frax Finance, like all DeFi protocols, is subject to smart contract risks, despite its contracts being audited.

Locked Liquidity

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Locked liquidity is a crucial aspect of the Frax protocol, and it's what makes a "bank run" mathematically impossible. This is because of the significant amount of locked liquidity in the system, with up to 2.5 years of locked liquidity.

The Frax protocol earns around $30 to $40 million in annual revenue, which is a testament to its stability and security. This revenue, combined with the locked liquidity, makes it virtually impossible for a "bank run" to occur.

One of the key reasons for this stability is the protocol's transparency, with a live balance sheet that updates every block. This means that users can see exactly how much collateral is locked in the system at any given time.

The locked liquidity is also a result of the protocol's ability to lock liquidity providers' (LPs) tokens into the system for up to 3 years. This long-term staking mechanism provides a boost to the rewards that LPs receive, making it an attractive option for those looking to earn FXS tokens.

Here's a summary of the locked liquidity in Frax:

  • Up to 2.5 years of locked liquidity
  • Live balance sheet updates every block
  • Annual revenue of $30 to $40 million
  • Long-term staking mechanism for liquidity providers

Risks

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FRAX's stability is heavily dependent on the effective management of its collateral ratio over time.

This management is in the hands of FXS holders, who must make informed decisions to maintain the protocol's stability.

Poor management of the collateral ratio can lead to FRAX losing its peg.

Like all DeFi protocols, Frax Finance is vulnerable to smart contract risks, despite its contracts being audited.

There's always a risk of previously unknown bugs in the contracts that could lead to exploits.

You might like: Smart Contract Meaning

Blackrock's Involvement

Blackrock's BUIDL is a USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund that has gained significant attention in the DeFi space.

The fund has already hit over half a billion dollars in assets under management (AUM) in less than four months after its launch on March 15.

BUIDL is a partnership with Securitize, which invests in US government securities, and pays daily accrued dividends directly to investors each month.

Securitize is the broker-dealer for BlackRock's BUIDL, and is also the one that initially proposed the idea of using BUIDL as a reserve asset for the Frax USD stablecoin.

Credit: youtube.com, BlackRock’s BUIDL Token Approved to Back Frax Finance’s frxUSD

The vote to use BUIDL as backing asset for Frax USD has gone live, and all votes cast so far have been in favor of the proposal.

The benefits of passing the proposal may include creating yield opportunities, deeper liquidity, transfer options, and reduced counter-party risk due to the backing of BlackRock.

BUIDL provides an excellent bridge between traditional finance and DeFi by bringing institutional-grade investments onchain, according to a user with the handle achaffee.

Ethena Labs, the developer behind Ethena, is also working on a BUIDL-backed stablecoin called USDtb, which has accrued $89 million in total value locked (TVL) since its launch on Dec. 16.

Inflation-Linked Stablecoins

Inflation-linked stablecoins are a new concept in the world of finance, and Frax Finance is at the forefront of this innovation.

Frax Finance's CPI-linked stablecoin is designed to protect purchasing power, which is a big deal.

This type of stablecoin is linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation.

The idea is to provide a stable store of value that keeps pace with inflation, rather than losing value over time.

Frax Finance is bringing innovation to the table with this concept, but the question remains whether it can work effectively in practice.

Related reading: Bitcoin Stock History

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FRAX fully collateralized?

No, FRAX is not fully collateralized, but rather partially backed by collateral and stabilized algorithmically. This unique approach aims to balance the benefits of both fully collateralized and purely algorithmic stablecoins.

Ruben Quitzon

Lead Assigning Editor

Ruben Quitzon is a seasoned assigning editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in finance and journalism, Ruben has honed his expertise in covering complex topics with clarity and precision. Throughout his career, Ruben has assigned and edited articles on a wide range of topics, including the banking sectors of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

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