When 'Stability' Begins to Fluctuate: A Complete Review and Structural Analysis of the USD1 Depegging Incident
USD1, a stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), experienced a brief depegging event on February 23, with its secondary market price dropping to around $0.98. WLFI attributed the incident to a "coordinated attack," claiming reserves and redemption mechanisms remained unaffected, and the price quickly recovered.
The event raised questions about whether the depegging was a liquidity issue or a solvency crisis. Unlike TerraUSD's algorithmic collapse in 2022, USD1’s price dip appeared more related to temporary market liquidity stress rather than fundamental reserve failures. However, the incident highlighted that stablecoin stability relies not only on assets but also on market trust.
USD1 operates under a centralized reserve model, where risks involve reserve transparency, asset liquidity, and market depth. In a low-liquidity, risk-averse market environment, even minor instability can trigger concerns about collateral devaluation, liquidations, and broader financial contraction.
While the rapid price recovery suggests no systemic solvency issue, the event underscores how stablecoin depegging—even if temporary—can amplify market anxiety, reduce leverage, and increase funding costs. Trust, once questioned, takes time to restore, and credit repricing often precedes price changes in stressed markets.
marsbit02/25 04:11
