Vitalik Buterinās wallet addresses converted 20,040 RAI to 56,746 USDC earlier today.Ā
Buterin has previously shared his optimism on Reflexerās algorithmic stablecoin that is backed by Ethereum.Ā
It is uncertain whether Buterinās move can be interpreted as support for Circleās stablecoin USDC.Ā
EthereumĀ co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently converted his holdings of algorithmic stablecoin Reflexer (RAI) into Circleās stablecoin USDC. It is uncertain whether this is support for the stablecoin during its crisis or a strategic move.Ā
Circleās US Dollar pegged stablecoin USDC is currently battling a crisis. USDC lost its $1 parity and nosedived to $0.90. The stablecoin hit an all-time low of $0.87 earlier today. The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and Circleās exposure to the institution triggered the depeg and the subsequent price drop.Ā
Several other stablecoins like FRAX, DAI, USDP and TUSD have suffered a decline in price amidst rising uncertainty in the crypto ecosystem. It is likely that crypto market participants are turning to stablecoins like RAI and LUSD, with limited to no exposure to Circle and its stablecoinĀ USDC.Ā
Vitalik Buterin converts RAI to USDC: Show of support or something else
EthereumĀ co-founder Buterin converted 20,040 Reflexer tokens to 56,746 USDC on Saturday. The Etherscan transaction is shown below:
Reflexerās algorithmic stablecoin has previously garnered positive commentary from theĀ EthereumĀ co-founder. Buterin has shared his optimism about RAI in the past. Buterinās latest move is currently open to interpretation and it is uncertain whether the ETH co-founder is supporting USDC in its crisis or just shedding his RAI holdings.Ā
Until June 2020, Circleās stablecoin USDC was exclusive to the Ethereum blockchain. In June 2020, Centre, the collaboration between Circle and Coinbase announced a framework for multi-chain support for USDC. It is likely that Buterin is extending support to USDC, converting his algorithmic stablecoin holdings into Circleās stablecoin.Ā
Where does Ethereum stand when trouble is brewing in DeFi?
Circleās USDC is one of the important elements of the DeFi ecosystem. So are the other stablecoins that are currently suffering a depeg. Amidst wider crypto market uncertainty, the DeFi ecosystem is hit by the declining total volume locked on networks like Ethereum.Ā
Analysts at Citron Research, a stock commentary firm believeĀ EthereumĀ is at risk of a decline to $350. The technical experts argue the case that Ethereum is a security and the New York State Attorney General is set to āend the charade.ā
Attorney General Letitia James recently filed a suit against KuCoin, alleging that the exchange is violating securities laws, arguing āEthereum is a security.ā When the AG focuses on the Ethereum Network, analysts expect that James could uncover self-dealing, ICO transactions, multiple attempts to avoid federal laws of taxation and securities, all while being controlled by a small group of people.Ā
Experts believe switching from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake turned Ethereum into a security and made it an investment vehicle, not just a smart contract network. Experts have drawn parallels between Vitalikās altruism and defunct FTX exchange founder Samuel Bankman-Friedās charity efforts.Ā
Citron Researchers believe $175 billion in market capitalization puts Ethereum at the same level as Open AI, Twitter (TWTR), Chipotle Mexican Sausage (CMG) and Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU) combined.Ā Citronās take on Ethereum has garnered mass criticism on Twitter, however it remains to be seen where ETH is headed next with Circleās fast spreading contagion.Ā
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