Apr 7, 2025: Our weekly Institutional Insights explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

 explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

Weekly highlight — Fed not ready to adjust rates 

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the central bank will not rush to respond to the Trump administration's tariffs or the resulting market turmoil stemming from fears of a global economic downturn. At a conference in Virginia, he acknowledged that tariffs could significantly impact the US economy, leading to slower growth and higher inflation. However, he stated that the Fed will wait for more clarity before considering interest rate cuts.

With inflation still elevated, Powell stressed the Fed's responsibility to prevent a temporary price surge from evolving into a persistent inflation issue. Julia Coronado, President and Founder of MacroPolicy Perspectives, noted that due to current inflation levels, the Fed is not as well positioned to offer economic support as during previous trade disputes.. Even if rate cuts become necessary, they’re likely to be delayed and cautious.

Following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs, stocks fell sharply, with the S&P 500 facing its worst week since the COVID-19 lockdowns. Economists have raised concerns that these tariffs could lead to a recession, prompting increased speculation about the timing of potential rate cuts. Powell's recent comments marked a shift from his earlier stance that inflation effects from tariffs would be short-lived.

He reiterated the Fed's commitment to maintaining stable long-term inflation expectations and acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs' economic impact. Despite signs of deteriorating consumer sentiment and business spending, Powell argued that definitive data has yet to emerge.

As the Fed prepares for its next meeting, futures markets have adjusted expectations regarding rate cuts. Powell's remarks suggest that a preemptive rate cut is unlikely before assessing the broader economic implications of the recent tariffs.

Weekly crypto highlight — Bitcoin’s resilience amid tariffs’ induced volatility

On Apr 2, 2025, Donald Trump announced aggressive U.S. tariffs: a universal 10% on all imports, with specific rates of 34% on China, 24% on Japan and 20% on the European Union (EU), while notably exempting Russia. This policy shift triggered significant volatility in both traditional and cryptocurrency markets. The announcement’s timing, just after US stock markets closed, appeared strategically timed to limit immediate reaction.

The next day, the S&P 500 fell over 5.1% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped more than 5.6%, reflecting investor fears of economic disruption and rising inflation. This was the fifth-worst trading day of the 2020s, reminiscent of Black Thursday in March 2020. In contrast, Bitcoin showed resilience, trading at around $81.7K, only a 6% decline from its recent low, indicating that investors may see cryptocurrencies as hedges against geopolitical uncertainties.

Trump framed the tariffs as the start of a "Liberation Day," introducing a two-tier system: the universal tariff effective April 5, with reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries starting April 9. This approach aims to counteract existing tariffs on U.S. goods, compelling nations and regions like China, Japan and the EU to reconsider their trade policies.

Asian countries face severe impacts, with tariffs as high as 49% on Cambodia and 48% on Laos. Supporters view these tariffs as negotiation tactics, challenging nations to accept favorable trade terms or incur higher export costs. Trump argues this will lead to fairer trade conditions, while critics warn of potential retaliatory tariffs, increased costs for American consumers and broader economic uncertainty.

The success of this policy depends upon whether nations opt for cooperation over confrontation. Proponents believe nations will negotiate to avoid losing access to the lucrative US market, potentially boosting US jobs and profits.

Amid this turmoil, Bitcoin has shown surprising stability, holding at around $80K despite traditional market volatility. Its drawdown was significantly less severe than that of major stock indices, suggesting it may be viewed as a safe haven during economic uncertainty.

Factors contributing to Bitcoin’s resilience include its decentralized nature, which insulates it from traditional market shocks, and growing acceptance as a legitimate asset class. Continued institutional interest, driven by entities such as Strategy and BlackRock, reinforces its appeal.

In conclusion, Bitcoin's strength amid tariff-induced volatility underscores its potential as a digital asset, and signals a growing acceptance among investors seeking stability in uncertain economic times. This could signify a pivotal shift within the world’s financial landscape toward viewing cryptocurrency as a mainstream financial instrument.

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Weekly Institutional Insights: Tariffs rattle market as Bitcoin holds better than TradFi

Current US president Donald Trump introduced a universal 10% tariff on imports and higher specific rates for countries like China and Japan, signaling a major shift in US trade policy.

On Apr 2, 2025, Donald Trump announced aggressive US tariffs, including a universal 10% levy on all imports alongside specific rates of 34% on China, 24% on Japan and 20% on the European Union (EU), while the absence of tariffs on Russia was a notable exception. This policy shift resulted in significant volatility in both traditional and cryptocurrency markets.

The timing of Trump's announcement was widely speculated to be strategic, occurring shortly after US stock markets closed in order to mitigate immediate market reactions. However, the following day, Apr 3, 2025, saw substantial declines: the S&P 500 dropped over 5.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell more than 5.6%, reflecting investor anxieties about potential economic disruptions and heightened inflation. 

This marked the fifth-worst trading day of the 2020s, with parallels drawn to the infamous Black Thursday in March 2020. But in stark contrast, Bitcoin displayed remarkable resilience, trading around $81.7K, a mere 6% drop from its local bottom of $77K recorded on Mar 10, 2025. This stability suggests that investors may increasingly be viewing cryptocurrencies as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties, since Bitcoin’s decentralized nature allows it to operate independently of tariffs and supply chain disruptions that affect traditional assets.

Trump characterized the tariff announcement as the beginning of a "Liberation Day," introducing a two-tier system where the universal 10% tariff would take effect on Apr 5, 2025, while reciprocal tariffs targeting around 60 countries would follow on April 9. This reciprocal approach aims to counterbalance existing tariffs imposed by other nations on American products, pushing countries and regions like China, Japan and the EU to reconsider their trade policies. During his speech, Trump presented a chart illustrating the disparities in tariff rates, using it to justify the administration's stance on the need for these measures to correct long-standing trade imbalances.

The implications for Asian countries are particularly severe, with many facing the highest tariffs, including Cambodia at 49%, Laos at 48% and Madagascar at 47%. Economists who favor proactive trade policies view these tariffs as a negotiation tactic, often referred to as a "game of chicken," whereby the US essentially dares other nations to either accept new, more favorable trade terms or face increased costs for their exports to the US. 

Trump argues that many countries impose heavy taxes on American goods that make them less competitive abroad. He believes that by introducing these tariffs, other nations will be compelled to lower their own export taxes on US products, fostering fairer trade conditions. However, critics warn that this strategy could backfire, potentially igniting a trade war damaging to every country and area involved. They express concerns that retaliatory tariffs from other countries might lead to increased costs for American consumers and economic uncertainty for businesses. 

The success of Trump's tariff policy ultimately hinges on whether other nations choose cooperation over confrontation. Proponents of the strategy argue that countries might fear losing access to the lucrative US market, prompting them to negotiate more favorable terms for American exports. If successful, this could theoretically boost US jobs and profits.

In summary, as the situation evolves, the effects of these tariffs on global trade dynamics and market stability remain to be seen, with potentially far-reaching implications for both traditional and cryptocurrency markets.

Amidst the tumultuous landscape created by the recent tariff announcements, Bitcoin has demonstrated a surprising level of resilience. Despite the significant volatility affecting traditional markets, Bitcoin maintained robust support around $80K, showcasing its ability to withstand external economic pressures. This stability is particularly noteworthy when compared to mainstream public equities, which experienced substantial declines in response to the tariffs.

The magnitude of Bitcoin's price drawdown was considerably less severe than that of many established stocks, highlighting its unique position in the financial ecosystem. While indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite plummeted over 5%, Bitcoin's relatively mild decline suggests that investors may increasingly view it as a safe haven and alternative asset during times of economic uncertainty.

This resilience can be attributed to several factors. First, Bitcoin's decentralized nature allows it to operate independently of traditional market dynamics and geopolitical influences, making it less susceptible to the same shocks that impact equities tied to physical goods and international trade. Additionally, the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate asset class has bolstered investor confidence, leading to a more stable demand for Bitcoin, even in volatile environments. In particular, Strategy’s (formerly MicroStrategy) continued accumulation of Bitcoin and BlackRock’s launch of ETP products in Europe continues to cement Bitcoin’s unique position in equity portfolio allocation.

Furthermore, the current market sentiment indicates a shift in the way that investors perceive Bitcoin, particularly as an effective hedge against inflation and geopolitical risks. As traditional markets grapple with the ramifications of aggressive tariff policies, Bitcoin's ability to hold steady at the $80K level may attract more institutional interest, reinforcing its position as a viable alternative investment.

In conclusion, Bitcoin's resilience within the tariff-induced volatility not only highlights its potential as a digital asset, but also suggests a broader acceptance among investors seeking diversification and stability in uncertain economic times. This comparative strength against mainstream equities could signal a pivotal moment in the evolution of cryptocurrency as a mainstream financial instrument. 

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Bybit x Santiment: Tariffs-led whipsaw solidifies Bitcoin’s resilience

Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events; the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume; and futures, options and perpetual contracts.

As markets near US president Trump's "Liberation Day" for tariffs, crypto remains volatile. BTC has dropped from a local high of $88K to $82K amid signs that tariffs will affect many countries. Implied volatility has spiked and then eased. Other derivatives market metrics show that BTC and ETH volatility smile skews remain significantly skewed toward puts, a level last seen in March 2023.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

BTC options show signs last seen in March 2023

As crypto prices remain highly correlated with macro-sensitive assets, the week began with a surge in short-tenor implied volatility for BTC and ETH. The sell-off continued as President Trump announced tariffs affecting about 90 countries. BTC's front-end volatility quickly fell below longer maturities, and short-dated volatility smiles briefly favored OTM puts, reminiscent of levels seen during the March 2023 US banking crisis. 

SOL options remain the least traded among major cryptocurrencies (i.e., BTC and ETH), but there was a significant rise in call options this week, dominating both volume and open interest. Following the Mar 28, 2025 expirations, many contracts weren’t reopened, with the notional size of call contracts decreasing from over $3.2M to around $2.5M. However, there has been a slight increase in the notional size of open put options, as traders respond to a continued decline from the January all-time high of $250.

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Bybit X Block Scholes crypto derivatives analytics report (Apr 2, 2025): BTC option skews show a bearish sign last seen in 2023

Fidelity recently announced that it would be launching its own stablecoin, to be pegged to the US dollar. Learn more here.

After first making headlines upon filing paperwork for its very own money market fund, Fidelity seems to be taking the next step toward this grand goal by issuing its own 

 pegged to the US dollar could be the start of a multi-stage scheme to help crypto achieve mainstream adoption.

If you're new to fund-issued stablecoins, or perhaps a crypto beginner whose attention has been piqued, you might be wondering how Fidelity’s stablecoin could impact the crypto market. From highlighting how the Fidelity stablecoin differs from its other fiat-backed counterparts (e.g., 

) to elaborating on the possible motives for launching it, here's everything you need to know about the proposed Fidelity stablecoin.

Founded in 1946, Fidelity Investments has built a reputation as a leader in financial services. To date, it's managed trillions of dollars in assets for individuals and institutions alike. 

Known for its innovative approach to investing, Fidelity has consistently stayed ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and trends. From mutual funds to retirement accounts, it's fair to say that Fidelity is a trusted name in finance, and has successfully established its presence, thanks to its storied legacy in financial services.

Fidelity’s foray into crypto isn’t new. With the demand for digital asset services growing larger over time, the company has quietly been building its presence in the crypto space through 

 since 2018, with dedicated service that provides custody and trading services for institutional and individual investors.

By launching its own stablecoin, Fidelity is taking this commitment toward 

 innovation to the next level, signaling its belief in the long-term growth potential of digital assets.

Like many of its popular stablecoin counterparts, Fidelity’s stablecoin is pegged to the US dollar. This ensures price stability, a critical feature for traders looking to mitigate risk amid 

. Built on blockchain technology, this stablecoin is ostensibly designed to integrate seamlessly with Fidelity’s broader ecosystem of tokenized financial products. This means users can expect a secure, efficient and transparent digital asset that aligns with Fidelity’s high standards.

 like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC dominate the market, Fidelity’s offering brings something unique to the table: trust. As a regulated financial institution with decades of experience, Fidelity offers a level of credibility that few other stablecoin issuers can match. Furthermore, its focus on regulatory compliance positions it as a safer alternative for both retail and institutional investors.

Fidelity’s stablecoin represents a deliberate effort to integrate its institutional expertise with blockchain’s efficiencies. By creating a dollar-pegged digital asset, the firm aims to serve as a trusted intermediary for clients navigating both traditional and crypto markets. Moreover, the Fidelity Digital Assets division has already laid the groundwork through Bitcoin custody services and 

. The proposed stablecoin extends this infrastructure, allowing institutional investors to transition seamlessly between volatile cryptocurrencies and stable-value instruments without exiting Fidelity’s ecosystem.

The stablecoin market has grown exponentially, surpassing $200 billion in 2025. This surge is largely being driven by demand for volatility hedging and cross-border payment efficiency. Fidelity recognizes that traders and institutions increasingly require reliable on-ramps between fiat and crypto. Its stablecoin offers a compliant alternative to incumbents, such as Tether and Circle, who face lingering skepticism about reserve transparency. By entering this space, Fidelity would not only meet immediate demand, but position itself as a leader in institutional-grade digital assets, thus appealing to risk-averse entities.

The US regulatory landscape under the current administration has shifted decisively toward crypto-friendly policies, and the Stablecoin Innovation Act and the GENIUS Act are advancing through Congress, aiming to establish clear rules for reserve backing and 

 compliance. Designed with Treasury reserves and audit transparency, Fidelity’s stablecoin aligns with these impending standards. By proactively adopting regulatory best practices, Fidelity avoids the scrutiny faced by Tether — and positions its stablecoin as a “gold standard” for institutional adoption.

Stablecoins generate revenue through interest earned on reserve assets. For example, Tether reported over $6 billion in net income in 2024 from its treasury holdings. Fidelity already manages $80 billion in its Treasury Digital Fund, and can potentially monetize its stablecoin reserves while offering competitive yields to clients. This creates a dual revenue stream, consisting of fees from asset management and interest from stablecoin reserves.

The stablecoin market remains dominated by Tether and Circle, but their retail-focused models leave room for institutional alternatives. Fidelity’s brand reputation, combined with its existing relationships with hedge funds and pension plans, gives it a unique edge. For example, its stablecoin could integrate directly with retirement accounts, allowing 401k participants to allocate to crypto without custody risks. This differentiation is critical as rivals like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton expand their tokenized offerings.

While details are still scarce, the following are some likely use cases for the Fidelity stablecoin.

Using Fidelity’s stablecoin for staking

One of the most exciting use cases for Fidelity’s stablecoin is staking. For traders and investors, staking offers an opportunity to 

 by locking up their assets in support of blockchain networks. With Fidelity’s stablecoin, users could stake their holdings with confidence, knowing they’re backed by one of the most trusted names in finance.

Enhancing market liquidity and capital efficiency

Fidelity’s stablecoin is also expected to enhance liquidity across trading platforms. By providing a reliable medium of exchange that 

 fiat currency and digital assets, this stablecoin could streamline trading operations and reduce transaction costs, creating a win-win for traders and exchanges.

Facilitating real-world asset (RWA) tokenization

Fidelity's stablecoin is strategically positioned to drive the tokenization of RWAs by democratizing access through fractional ownership of commodities and real estate, thus streamlining the trading and settlement of tokenized securities as a stable exchange medium. This could ultimately foster a more efficient and transparent payment ecosystem for tokenized goods and services.

How will this impact the current crypto landscape?

Legitimization and mainstream adoption of crypto

Fidelity's established reputation within traditional finance lends significant credibility to the crypto space. This legitimacy can alleviate concerns among mainstream investors who have been hesitant, due to perceived risks or a lack of understanding. By offering a regulated stablecoin, Fidelity signals that digital assets are becoming a legitimate part of the broader financial landscape, encouraging greater participation from institutional and retail investors alike. This increased confidence can lead to wider adoption of crypto-related products and services, integrating them into everyday financial transactions.

Market stabilization and increased liquidity

The substantial capital that Fidelity brings to the market can significantly increase liquidity, reducing price volatility and making crypto assets more attractive to traditional investors. Increased liquidity facilitates smoother trading and reduces the risk of significant price swings, creating a more stable and predictable market environment.

Fidelity's involvement encourages dialogue between regulators and established financial institutions, leading to clearer and more comprehensive regulatory frameworks for stablecoins and other digital assets. By leveraging its existing compliance and risk management expertise, Fidelity can contribute to the development of robust security standards and best practices for the crypto industry. This increased regulatory clarity and security can reduce the risk of fraud and market manipulation, fostering greater trust and confidence among investors.

he introduction of a regulated stablecoin from a trusted institution can accelerate the integration of traditional financial products and services into the 

 (DeFi) space. Such integration can lead to the development of innovative financial instruments, such as tokenized securities and decentralized lending platforms, bridging the gap between TradFi and DeFi while allowing for far greater capital efficiency within the DeFi space.

Driving crypto infrastructure standardization

Fidelity's participation can drive the development of standardized infrastructure and interoperability protocols, facilitating seamless transactions across different blockchain networks and traditional financial systems. This standardization could improve the efficiency and scalability of the crypto market, thereby enabling greater adoption and integration with existing financial infrastructure.

What are the challenges that Fidelity may face?

While Fidelity's late entry into the stablecoin market is promising, due to its institutional credibility and regulatory focus, it does face substantial challenges. At the top of the list of Fidelity’s potential challenges: competing with established stablecoin giants like USDT and USDC will require Fidelity to demonstrate superior transparency, security and seamless integration of the Fidelity stablecoin within existing ecosystems. 

Building trust with a potentially hesitant crypto native demographic and overcoming established network effects will also require strategic partnerships, competitive incentives and a flawless track record in maintaining a stable peg to the US dollar.

The regulatory environment surrounding stablecoins is rapidly evolving. Recent developments such as the 

 (GENIUS) Act signal a more favorable stance toward crypto in the United States. For companies like Fidelity, this creates an opportunity to innovate within clear regulatory frameworks while addressing concerns around transparency and accountability. However, this evolving legislative landscape doesn't mean that Fidelity is out of the woods yet. This is especially so because regulations aren’t uniform across all jurisdictions. Therefore, Fidelity will need to demonstrate regulatory agility and adaptability to navigate these varying requirements.

Lastly, while there’s speculation that the Fidelity stablecoin could play a huge part in the company’s tokenized money market fund offering, there’s currently nothing set in stone. This is due to the inherent complexities of integrating a newly launched stablecoin into existing financial products, as well as the need to navigate potential regulatory hurdles related to that integration. Since Fidelity Digital Assets and 

 are two separate entities, there will likely be some coordination needed before Fidelity can incorporate its stablecoin into its onchain bond market.

Fidelity’s launch of its own stablecoin marks an important milestone in the evolution of digital finance. By combining stability with trust and regulatory compliance, this new offering has the potential to reshape the way traders interact with crypto. For beginners looking for a safe entry point into crypto, as well as experienced traders seeking reliable tools for staking and liquidity management, Fidelity’s stablecoin offers an enticing proposition. 

Likewise, for institutional traders, the proposed stablecoin provides a compliant and secure bridge between traditional finance and DeFi, unlocking new avenues for managing assets and diversifying portfolios. While challenges remain, Fidelity’s entry is poised to accelerate the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance, ultimately paving the way for wider adoption and innovation.

Intermediate

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Fidelity’s new stablecoin: A bold step into crypto stability

Bybit Learn

Stablecoin

Quantoz Payments launches MiCA-compliant stablecoins—USDQ, EURQ and EURD—offering regulated digital payments and DeFi solutions within the EEA.

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 have received widespread recognition and use in the crypto world, thanks to their ability to provide stability and certainty in an otherwise volatile trading environment. Assets like 

 have become the go-to tools for fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transactions. However, for about a decade, stablecoin cryptocurrencies operated without defined regulation and oversight in the European market — which, incidentally, has always been characterized by high levels of regulatory control.

The first crypto-focused regulatory steps in the European Union (EU) were taken in 2023 when the European Parliament adopted the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. MiCA aims to provide guidance on the adoption of blockchain-based assets in the EU, and also deals with the specific topic of stablecoins. The regulation came into effect in December 2024.

Under MiCA, stablecoins and similar assets are largely defined under two categories — electronic money tokens (EMTs) and asset-referenced tokens (ARTs). One of the first companies to leverage MiCA to offer regulated stablecoin assets in the European market is the Netherlands-based Quantoz Payments, a provider of regulated, fiat-backed EMT assets — USDQ, EURQ and EURD. Backed by the euro or the US dollar, these stablecoins can facilitate payments, merchant adoption and 

 (DeFi) use cases in a compliant fashion within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, which are the jurisdictions covered by MiCA.

 is a Netherlands-based fintech company that issues and supports the use of fiat-backed stablecoins, known as EMTs, under the MiCA regulation. 

MiCA — which was adopted by the European Parliament in May 2023 and came into effect in December 2024 — defines the regulation of blockchain-based assets and technology in the European Economic Area (EEA). Quantoz Payments is a subsidiary of Quantoz N.V., a software development company based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Established in 2015, Quantoz N.V. identified the potential for regulated stablecoins in the European market well before the introduction of MiCA, and launched Quantoz Payments in 2021.

Quantoz Payments received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from 

 (DNB), the Dutch central bank, which allows the company to offer services in the area of digital assets payment and management. The company specializes in offering stablecoins backed by established fiat currencies — the euro and the US dollar. 

Quantoz Payments maintains fiat reserves for its stablecoins via an independently managed entity, Stichting Quantoz. The independent nature of Stichting Quantoz ensures that the fiat reserves of the company’s stablecoins are adequately protected, and satisfy the necessary regulatory requirements.

Stablecoins offered by Quantoz Payments fall under MiCA’s definition of EMTs. In the section below, we’ll cover the precise differences between the two stablecoin types defined by MiCA, and why the assets offered by the company are classified as EMTs.

Quantoz Payments is one of the first and major providers of regulated EMTs within the EEA, which includes the EU’s 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The Quantoz Payments project is funded by a group of investors that includes the London-based VC firm Fabric Ventures LLP, one of the leading 

 (CEX) platforms; Kraken; and Tether, the company behind USDT, the world’s most widely used stablecoin. As of early 2025, Quantoz Payments offers two euro-backed EMTs (EURQ and EURD) and one US dollar–backed EMT (USDQ).

Stablecoins, electronic money tokens (EMTs) and asset-referenced tokens (ARTs)

Stablecoins — crypto assets pegged to a major, established digital or fiat asset — have been part of the crypto trading scene for more than a decade. Many stablecoins are pegged to the US dollar, either by maintaining sufficient reserves of the greenback or by using some algorithmic mechanism that should, at least in theory, ensure their tight peg to the USD. For instance, the world’s top two stablecoins by trading volume, USDT and USDC, are both pegged to the dollar by holding fully backed reserves of it. Other stablecoins might maintain a peg to the euro, British pound sterling or some other popular fiat currency. You may also find stablecoins pegged to popular precious metals, such as gold or silver.

However, when the MiCA regulation was adopted in 2023, the specific term "stablecoin" wasn't featured in it to refer to a regulated asset. Instead, MiCA defines two types of assets usually referred to as stablecoins: EMTs and ARTs.

Under MiCA, an electronic money token (EMT) is a crypto asset that’s pegged to a single fiat currency. In contrast, an asset-referenced token (ART) is an asset that maintains a peg to multiple currencies. As such, the term stablecoin has no legal meaning under the EU’s primary crypto regulation; it’s now all about EMTs and ARTs.

MiCA also specifies a third category of crypto assets besides EMTs and ARTs: "other crypto assets." This category is essentially a catch-all for cryptocurrencies that don't track the price of a single asset or multiple assets — i.e., any non-stablecoin crypto.

All three cryptocurrencies offered by Quantoz Payments — EURQ, USDQ and EURD — fall under the definition of EMT. Notably, the stablecoins offered by Quantoz Payments qualify for EMT status since the company is registered in the EU as an authorized EMI. This means that the coins are recognized within the EEA as compliant assets. The recognition creates opportunities for using USDQ, EURQ and EURD in payment solutions, DeFi applications and other use cases within the EEA. As such, these assets can be used by traditional finance and retail entities in the region for their crypto-based operations.

In contrast, stablecoin assets provided by issuers who haven’t obtained an EU-based EMI license don’t typically enjoy the same status. In other words, while these assets might technically fall under the definition of an EMT or ART, they aren’t recognized in the EEA as fully compliant. This is the case, for example, with Tether’s USDT. Technically speaking, USDT satisfies the characteristics of an EMT. However, since Tether hasn’t obtained an EMI license anywhere in the EEA area, its USDT stablecoin isn’t recognized as an EMT under MiCA.

USDQ is a Quantoz-issued EMT backed by US dollar reserves. It maintains a tight 1:1 peg to the dollar. Quantoz holds 102% US dollar reserves for USDQ in order to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure rate stability. An 

 (ETH) in November 2024, just a month before the MiCA regulation fully became effective throughout the EEA.

USDQ has numerous use cases, including the following:

USDQ is listed on a limited number of exchanges. It’s 

, via the USDQ/USDT and BTC/USDQ swap pairs, for Bybit users in the Netherlands. For these users, USDQ is a great alternative to USDT since it allows them to conduct stablecoin-based crypto operations that are fully compliant with European laws.

EURQ is a euro-backed EMT offered by Quantoz Payments. It was launched on the Ethereum 

 alongside USDQ. The token’s use cases and operational mechanism are nearly identical to those of USDQ. The only exception is that EURQ is pegged to and backed by the euro fiat currency, instead of the US dollar.

EURD is another euro-backed EMT issued by Quantoz Payments. It was actually the first stablecoin asset launched by the company, back in October 2023. While EURQ and USDQ are Ethereum-based tokens, EURD is issued on the 

To obtain EURD, users need to send a fiat deposit to the Quantoz Foundation’s bank account. The foundation then notifies Quantoz Payments, and the company issues the requisite amount of EURD and sends it to the user's 

. Companies can create these wallets via the 

, available on the Google Play Store and Apple Store.

The EU's MiCA compliance and regulatory oversight rules have drastically changed European digital asset markets, including the niche of stablecoins. Sensing the opportunity, Quantoz Payments quickly identified the potential of compliant EMTs in Europe. In the space of slightly more than a year, between late 2023 and late 2024, the company launched all three of its EMT assets — USDQ, EURQ and EURD. Organizations in the region can now use these tokens to conduct their crypto-based transactions in a compliant way while also ensuring the financial stability of their funds and transfers.

Quantoz Payments: Introducing MiCA-compliant stablecoins USDQ, EURQ and EURD

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