2026-01-17 00:26:46

In the 2026 crypto market, a chain is quietly changing the way stablecoins are used—Plasma. As a Layer 1 blockchain specifically designed for global stablecoin payments, it is backed by industry giants like Peter Thiel, has raised over $373 million, and after its mainnet beta launch, its TVL skyrocketed to over $3 billion. Sounds exaggerated? But its promises are solid: zero-fee USDT transfers, block times under 1 second, TPS exceeding 1000. This is the so-called "internet-speed money."

On the technical side, it’s worth noting that Plasma uses the PlasmaBFT consensus mechanism, built on Fast HotStuff, fully EVM-compatible, allowing developers to migrate seamlessly. The key is that it doesn’t follow the traditional universal chain path but is optimized specifically for stablecoins—custom gas tokens, privacy transactions, support for multiple stablecoins. Currently, USDT accounts for 78% of the market, with over $700 million in deposits and more than 25 stablecoins. The recently launched Plasma One neobank is even more interesting, offering 10% returns, covering 150 countries, targeting users in emerging markets.

Just looking at the numbers reveals the chain’s ambition. The global stablecoin market size has already surpassed $220 billion, and Plasma’s positioning is highly precise. Although it still lags behind Visa and Mastercard’s 65,000 TPS, its native crypto design gives it an efficiency advantage. As more assets are onboarded, the value of this payment infrastructure is self-evident—benefiting DeFi and cross-border payments.

Of course, risks are also present. Chains like Solana and TON are competing for market share. While Plasma has a differentiated positioning, the competition isn’t easy. TPS numbers look impressive, but issues like token supply, validator network stability, and regulatory attitudes toward stablecoins remain uncertain. Initial volatility is inevitable.

Overall, Plasma isn’t just hype; it’s a product aimed at solving real pain points. If you believe the stablecoin era is coming, this chain is worth watching.

XPL-2,58%

SOL0,53%

TON0,99%

DEFI6,17%

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SignatureCollector

· 11h ago

Once again, Peter Thiel endorses it, with a 3 billion TVL... Is this number real or fake? --- Zero fees sound great, but can the validator network hold up? --- The stablecoin track is a pie, but how much Plasma can actually eat is hard to say. --- Plasma One offers a 10% return, targeting emerging markets. I like this idea. --- Don't just look at TPS numbers; the key is whether it can survive. --- Honestly, dedicated chains are more reliable for stablecoin payments than general-purpose chains. --- Solana and TON are eyeing the market, but it’s not that easy for Plasma to break through. --- Regulation is the biggest variable; no matter how good the data looks, it’s useless without proper oversight.

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WhaleStalker

· 11h ago

Zero fees sound great, but the question is, who will foot the bill? It feels like another overhyped narrative.

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MetaMasked

· 11h ago

Zero fees sound great, but how many chains can truly implement it? Solana was also hyped up like this back then. Thiel's endorsement definitely adds points, but the issue is that regulation in the stablecoin sector remains a Damocles' sword. 10% returns cover 150 countries... This trick works well in emerging markets, but don't forget how the last project that did this turned out. TPS numbers look good, but the key question is whether the validator nodes can really handle it. The mainnet beta reached 3 billion TVL—how is the risk premium calculated?

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BuyHighSellLow

· 11h ago

Zero fees? Sounds good, but I'm worried it might turn out to be the same old Solana trick. Backed by Peter Thiel again, a TVL of 3 billion is indeed impressive, but where are the real users? Plasma One offering a 10% return? It feels like a new market grab. The stablecoin track is definitely a hot spot, but Solana and TON aren't sitting idle either. This competition might not be as gentle as it seems. TPS numbers look good on paper, but I'm more concerned about whether the validator network is stable, or it could turn into another rug pull. So I'm still in a wait-and-see phase, waiting for the mainnet to run smoothly before making any moves.

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