The article from The Wall Street Journal, titled "Crypto Could Stave Off a U.S. Debt Crisis" by Paul D. Ryan, discusses how the U.S. might mitigate its looming debt crisis through the adoption of dollar-backed stablecoins. Key points include:

1. **Debt Crisis Trajectory**: The U.S. is on a path towards a severe debt crisis without fiscal reform. A failed Treasury auction could trigger an economic downturn, causing a significant devaluation of the dollar.

2. **Stablecoins as a Solution**: Dollar-backed stablecoins could boost demand for U.S. public debt and maintain the dollar’s global dominance. These stablecoins, backed by U.S. dollars, would serve as a reliable asset in the digital economy.

3. **Global Trends**: Other countries, notably China, are advancing their digital currency initiatives. The U.S. risks falling behind if it does not innovate and embrace digital currencies.

4. **Implementation Strategy**: The U.S. should promote stablecoins by updating financial regulations and providing clear guidelines. This would enhance the stability and attractiveness of U.S. financial assets globally.

5. **Economic Impact**: Adopting stablecoins could increase global demand for dollars, reduce dependency on traditional Treasury debt, and offer a new avenue for economic growth.

6. **Policy Recommendations**: The article suggests immediate policy actions to support stablecoins, which could help prevent a fiscal crisis and secure the U.S.'s financial future.

The author concludes that embracing stablecoins could provide the U.S. with much-needed economic stability and maintain its competitive edge in the global financial system.

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Discussion

While giving a bitcoin 101 at an economic event at a country club a few days ago, I had to explain to a professional financial advisor from a unit value perspective no money/currency is stable.

The unit value of a money only has meaning in relation to the goods and services it can procure. At the micro, this is an endlessly dynamic calculation based on individual preferences and situational factors aggregated across the entire economy.

While at the macro, a money either looses or gains purchasing power on a unit basis over time. It cannot be any other way, technological progress (collapsing marginal costs) REQUIRES this.

In short - stablecoins are stupid and meaningless because the dollar does not have an objective, static, universal value - what people call stability is just being the most slowly sinking ship.

It is beyond me that people don’t understand that a “stablecoin” in terms of unit value is not a thing that can exist.