Usual operates as a decentralized protocol for creating stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies and Ethereum, utilizing tokenized real-world assets and collateralized staked Ethereum as backing. The platform provides multiple financial instruments including stablecoins, governance mechanisms, and yield-producing products structured for interoperability within decentralized finance ecosystems.
Overview
Usual functions as a decentralized stablecoin platform that mints USD0, a stablecoin pegged to fiat value and collateralized by tokenized real-world assets sourced from providers including BlackRock and Ondo. The infrastructure serves as a multi-chain system that converts off-chain holdings into on-chain, transparent, and interoperable collateral. The protocol operates through three core elements: the USD0 stablecoin, a yield-bearing derivative called USD0++, and the $USUAL governance token. The mechanism allows participants to exchange USDC for USD0, which can then be staked to generate USD0++ and provide access to $USUAL. The protocol generates revenue through collateral deployment into on-chain Treasury instruments, with all earnings directed to a treasury controlled by $USUAL holders. $USUAL follows a declining issuance schedule, allocating 90% of revenue toward protocol operations, staking incentives, and market liquidity, with the remaining 10% distributed to token holders.
Products
USD0
USD0 serves as a fiat-pegged stablecoin created by the Usual protocol. It consolidates tokenized U.S. Treasury Bill products from multiple providers such as Hashnote, Ondo, and BlackRock. USD0 functions as an open, interoperable, and tradable digital asset for settlements, exchange, and collateral purposes across decentralized finance applications. In distinction to conventional stablecoins, USD0 relies on full collateralization from real-world asset holdings rather than bank-held reserves.
The stablecoin mechanism brings together various tokenized Treasury instruments into a single unified asset, creating a balanced and auditable collateral framework. Each asset custodian furnishes continuous reporting of asset holdings, and the issuance process operates without a collateralized debt position model to enable streamlined creation. A collateral stabilization system maintains the peg. USD0 operates across multiple DeFi applications and adheres to compliance requirements in the United States and European Union.
USD0 creation occurs through two pathways in the Usual ecosystem. Direct minting enables users to deposit approved real-world assets and receive USD0 in equivalent value. Indirect minting allows users to provide USDC while a Collateral Provider furnishes the requisite real-world asset support, permitting USD0 acquisition without direct real-world asset ownership. During the initial phase, minting requests below 100,000 USD0 utilize liquidity from secondary markets.
USD0++
USUAL
USUAL represents the governance mechanism of the Usual protocol. It embodies protocol ownership and directs all generated profits while creating economic alignment among users who advance its adoption. Holders receive distributions from revenue streams produced by USD0 and USD0++, and participate in administrative decisions regarding protocol direction.
The token incorporates a graduated release schedule where new token creation stays below protocol revenue expansion to sustain value over extended periods. As system capital increases, issuance relative to locked value reduces, establishing growing token scarcity. USUAL allocates the majority of tokens to participants, with 90% assigned to the user community and 10% designated for founding members and financial sponsors.
Tokenomics
USUAL maintains a fixed maximum of 4B tokens with the following distribution structure:
- USD0++: 45%
- USD0/USD0++: 10.5%
- USUALx: 10%
- USUAL*: 10%
- DAO: 9.38%
- Ecosystem: 8.62%
- USD0/USDC: 2.5%
- USUAL/USD0: 2%
- MarkerMakers: 2%
Partnerships
- Binance
- Kraken Ventures
- Coinbase
- IOSG Ventures
- Galaxy
- OKX
- ECHO
- WinterMute
- Euler
- Curve