Stablecoin Depeg

Definition ∞ A stablecoin depeg occurs when a stablecoin, designed to maintain a fixed value relative to a reference asset like the US dollar, loses its peg and trades at a price significantly different from its intended value. This deviation can be caused by factors such as insufficient reserves, market panic, or algorithmic instability within the stablecoin’s design. Such events can trigger substantial market disruption.
Context ∞ The discourse surrounding stablecoin depegs is presently dominated by concerns over the systemic risks these events pose to the broader digital asset ecosystem, particularly following high-profile failures. Discussions are focused on the adequacy of reserve backing, the transparency of attestations, and the resilience of different stablecoin architectures, including algorithmic and collateralized models. Regulatory scrutiny of stablecoin issuance and redemption mechanisms is also intensifying.