In a bold revelation this week, PayPal announced plans to issue a U.S. dollar stablecoin on the Ethereum network. Aptly anticipated, it sparked a wave of exhilaration within the crypto landscape. The move, considered significant from a major fintech player, is viewed by many as a validation for blockchain and smart contracts.
Conjecture, however, points towards PayPal’s intention of harnessing interest on financial holdings rather than simply pioneering technology. The basis of this lies in the design of their proposed stablecoin, PYUSD. Similar to other reputable stablecoin, it will be backed by a collection of dollar bank deposits and liquid dollar equivalents in a trust managed by Paxos. Attractively, such short-dated U.S. Treasuries are currently offering a generous yield of 5%, the interest from which PayPal stands to gain.
This model seemingly alters the perception drawn from Jose Fernandez da Ponte’s, head of PayPal’s crypto initiatives, declaration. Speaking to CNBC Crypto, da Ponte referred to PYUSD as an extension of the PayPal balance, hinting at its availability beyond the PayPal network. Herein, it is suggested that user funds left on the PayPal platform, or those exchanged for PYUSD, could become a revenue opportunity for the company the moment underpinning interest rates begin to rise.
Undeniably, PayPal has been somewhat obscure with their number crunching. Their quarterly reports mention interest revenue on customer deposits as part of a larger category christened “Revenues from other Value Added Services.” However, the lack of intricate detailing leaves it uncertain as to the degree of this “value added” revenue is derived from customer deposits.
Current financial trends indicate a significant rise in value-added revenue compared to transaction fee revenue. With the emergence of stablecoin such as PYUSD, PayPal could potentially establish a sizeable client-base who hold increased amounts of money for longer periods. This could bring in more interest for PayPal, given the extensive services facilitated by PYUSD on decentralized platforms for crypto trading.
Fundamentally, PYUSD issuance could maintain a higher proportion of client balance within PayPal, with fewer users opting for a cashout. This could lead to an increased accrual of interest for PayPal. A publicly maintained blockchain token status might make PYUSD more appealing to users, considering the transparency it offers. Predictably, higher interest rates for an extended duration may prove beneficial for PayPal, changing the pattern of revenue inflow towards deposit interest earnings.
Regardless of the crowded stablecoin market, the success of PYUSD could alter PayPal’s corporate strategy, influencing their standing within the crypto sector.
Source: Coindesk
