Felix Kästle | picture alliance | Getty Imageson Monday launched a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin to help facilitate payments as its latest addition to its suite of crypto services. It's the first such move from a major U.S. financial institution.
The new asset, called PayPal USD , was designed to address the "emerging potential" to "transform payments in Web3 and digitally native environments." Its launch comes as market participants, which has just advanced to the House with three other crypto bills for the first time. PayPal said the stablecoin's function is to reduce friction for in-experience payments in virtual settings and allow direct flows to developers. It's redeemable for dollars and backed by dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasurys and similar cash equivalents.
"The shift toward digital currencies requires a stable instrument that is both digitally native and easily connected to fiat currency like the U.S. dollar," said Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal. "Our commitment to responsible innovation and compliance, and our track record delivering new experiences to our customers, provides the foundation necessary to contribute to the growth of digital payments through PayPal USD.