Stablecoin Power Lab
80/20 Financial Literacy Prototype
What is a stablecoin, really?
A stablecoin is a digital token that aims to keep a stable value (often near $1) by being backed 1:1 with reserve assets. The visible product is the coin. The economic engine is the reserve behind it. Click each node to learn more.
Select a node to begin
Click any of the five nodes above to read a short, plain-language explanation of that part of the stablecoin system.
Follow the money
Trace how a dollar becomes a stablecoin, then becomes reserve assets, then becomes interest income. Use the highlight buttons to focus on each stage.
“The visible product is the digital coin. The economic engine is the reserve behind it.”
When users buy a stablecoin, their dollars enter the issuer's reserve. The reserve is invested (often in U.S. Treasurys or cash equivalents). Those assets earn interest. That interest is revenue — and the question of who keeps that revenue is one of the most important questions in the entire system.
Reserve interest calculator
Stablecoin reserves can generate substantial income even at modest yields. Adjust the inputs to estimate gross reserve income, operating costs, revenue shared, and retained revenue.
Gross Interest = Reserve Value × Yield
Operating Cost = Circulation × Operating%
Net Income = Gross Interest − Operating Cost
Revenue Shared = Net Income × Sharing%
Retained Revenue = Net Income − Revenue Shared
The 80/20 lens
Which 20% of the information explains 80% of the story? Pick the five factors you think have the highest leverage. Then compare your selection to a suggested high-leverage set.
A politically connected family launched a stablecoin (USD1) with around $4 billion in circulation. Reserves are reported to be held in U.S. Treasurys and cash equivalents. The coin is listed on major exchanges. Foreign investors have reportedly taken equity stakes in the issuing entity. The issuer is partially regulated but operates across multiple jurisdictions. Marketing emphasises “stability, transparency, and U.S. dollar backing.”
Stakeholder map
Click any node to see its role, interests, relationships, evidence status, and the kind of question a critical thinker should ask. Relationships shown are structural — they do not imply wrongdoing.
Fact · Claim · Opinion · Question
Classify each statement. A fact can be verified. A claim asserts something that may be true but needs evidence. An opinion expresses a value judgment. A question asks for information.
Source verification
Not all sources are equal. Practise classifying each source into Tier 1 (primary evidence), Tier 2 (professional reporting), or Tier 3 (commentary).
Tier 1 — Primary evidence
- Government documents
- Regulatory filings
- Corporate disclosures
- Blockchain data
- Audited reserve reports
Tier 2 — Professional reporting
- Financial journalism
- Investigative journalism
- Specialist publications
Tier 3 — Commentary
- Blogs
- Social media
- Opinion articles
- Unsourced posts
Scenario lab
Move the sliders to model how a stablecoin system responds to changes in supply, yield, concentration, ownership, transparency, and oversight.
Debate lab
“Should politically connected companies be allowed to operate major stablecoin institutions?”
Assessment
Five dimensions, each worth 20%. Score is based on reasoning, evidence, calculation, source quality, and argument structure — never on political agreement.
Move each slider to reflect your current confidence. Or use the auto-fill button to estimate from completed activities.
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