Nearly three years after introducing cryptocurrency support for all US accounts, fintech giant PayPal has made its foray into the stablecoin market by unveiling its own stablecoin, directly linked to the US dollar. Named "PayPal USD," the newly introduced stablecoin is fully backed by US dollar deposits, short-term US Treasuries, and equivalent cash assets, providing a stable digital representation of the US dollar.

Reports surfaced in January of the previous year regarding PayPal's exploration of a stablecoin, referred to as "PayPal Coin." This speculation was further substantiated when a developer stumbled upon code and visual assets referencing the potential stablecoin in the PayPal app. The company indicated its willingness to collaborate with regulatory authorities when pursuing stablecoin development.

PayPal USD is issued as a token on the Ethereum blockchain, with issuance managed by the Paxos Trust Company. The Paxos Trust Company is subject to regulatory oversight by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). Moreover, PayPal has acquired a BitLicense from NYDFS, solidifying its commitment to adhering to the regulatory framework for virtual currency activities.

Users have the capability to acquire and trade PayPal USD coins at a value of $1 each. These coins can be transferred to other users for transactions or utilized to complete purchases during the checkout process. Additionally, users have the flexibility to transfer PayPal USD to compatible external wallets or convert between various cryptocurrencies within their PayPal accounts and the stablecoin.

Given the cautious stance regulators have taken in response to previous attempts by prominent companies to introduce stablecoins, PayPal USD's entry into the market has sparked interest. Past examples include Meta's (formerly Facebook) effort to launch a stablecoin, which faced repeated delays and regulatory concerns related to potential misuse for illicit activities. Industry experts anticipate that the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission may focus their attention on PayPal USD's emergence.

While the stablecoin has garnered attention for its potential impact on the digital currency landscape, PayPal remains committed to its phased rollout strategy in the United States. As the company introduces the stablecoin to the market and familiarizes users with its functionalities, PayPal aims to demonstrate the various applications and benefits of its USD pegged token.