- Concerns have risen around PayPal’s new stablecoin, PYUSD.
- PYUSD may offer transparency and potential security benefits in the crypto space.
- The issue has reignited debate on whether mass adoption can happen without centralization.
On August 7, PayPal shocked the world by launching its dollar-backed PYUSD stablecoin. The payment giant said it intends to demystify cryptocurrencies to foster greater accessibility to digital assets.
PayPal is among the largest global payment processors, and with the resources at its disposal, its stablecoin is well-positioned to advance global crypto awareness and adoption.
The launch has not come without concerns, however. In the 24 hours since PYUSD’s reveal, crypto enthusiasts have voiced their fears that the stablecoin could undermine the core principles of decentralization and financial autonomy that underpin cryptocurrencies.
PayPal’s PYUSD sparks concerns
Despite the significance of PayPal’s foray into the stablecoin market, crypto community members have sounded the alarm on the potential pitfalls involved.
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Analyzing the contract, self-styled smart contract hobbyist “pashov” noted concerns in the PYUSDY code that would enable a “centralization attack vector” due to PayPal’s ability to freeze and wipe balances.
Software Engineer “cygaar” added to pashov’s point, saying the contract is written using an old version of Solidity and allows the developers to increase the token supply at will. He further commented, “Centralized, but transparent at least.”
Chiming into the centralization debate, Chainlink Community Ambassador ChainLinkGod.eth dismissed these concerns, pointing out that the USDT, USDC, and USDP stablecoins all have centralized admin functions.
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“It’s not really that surprising given the regulatory compliance requirements around handling fiat with consumers.” He added.
The community’s issues with PYUSD stem beyond PayPal’s involvement. Its partner in the venture, Paxos, is the source of its own controversy.
Paxos the Returning Chokepoint?
Former Blockchain Investigator Slorg raised the point that PYUSD is issued by Paxos and not PayPal, meaning its usage is subject to the latter’s terms and conditions.
Slorg stated that this includes users assuming the risk and exposure of dealing with Paxos, with no guarantees made by PayPal about the token’s performance or any resulting obligations to token holders.
In February, Binance USD (BUSD), and its issuer Paxos, were subject to enforcement action from the US Securities Exchange Commission and the New York Department of Financial Services. This led to a loss in confidence that saw BUSD’s market cap tank from a high of $23 billion to $3.42 billion at the time of writing, per CoinMarketCap data.
The Way Forward?
Despite the pushback from some quarters, several prominent figures have congratulated PayPal and Paxos for launching PYUSD. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said it was incredible to see a company of the stature of PayPal entering the stablecoin market.
Allaire added that this happens under regulatory clarity – a more competitive stablecoin market with clear guidelines, benefiting users through greater protections, transparency, and liquid markets.
Partner at venture firm 6MV Crypto Carl joined in with the praise, saying PYUSD will foster “many more millions” to enter Web3 safely. Furthermore, he signed off the tweet thread inferring that PYUSD could be a bullish catalyst.
On the Flipside
- The ability to pause transfers and freeze addresses could potentially be used to prevent fraudulent activities and protect users.
- Introducing a stablecoin by a well-established entity like PayPal could potentially boost the overall credibility and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in the mainstream financial world.
Why This Matters
The debate surrounding PayPal’s new stablecoin underscores the enduring dilemma of centralization versus decentralization – prompting consideration of centralization’s role in driving mainstream adoption.
To find out more about PYUSD, read:
PYUSD Stablecoin: How PayPal Plans to Bring Crypto to the Masses
Read about Binance’s latest stablecoin plans since severing ties with BUSD:
CZ Reveals Binance’s Plans of Exploring New Stablecoin Partnerships
