Robinhood and Kraken Unite to Challenge USDT and USDC in $170 Billion Stablecoin Market

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The stablecoin landscape is on the brink of a major shift as Robinhood and Kraken join forces with industry leaders to launch the Global Dollar Network (GDN) and its flagship stablecoin, USDG. This strategic alliance aims to disrupt the current duopoly dominated by Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which together control over 80% of the $170 billion market. With institutional backing, regulatory foresight, and a user-first economic model, the GDN represents one of the most ambitious attempts yet to democratize access to digital dollar infrastructure.

A New Era for Stablecoins: The Global Dollar Network

The Global Dollar Network is not just another stablecoin project—it’s a coordinated ecosystem designed to promote transparency, inclusivity, and innovation. Spearheaded by Paxos, and supported by Robinhood, Kraken, Galaxy Digital, Anchorage Digital, DBS Bank, and others, the initiative introduces USDG, a regulated, reserve-backed digital dollar token.

USDG will be issued by Paxos in Singapore and pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar through a diversified reserve of cash, short-duration U.S. government securities, and cash equivalents. The choice of Singapore as a regulatory base is strategic, aligning with the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) upcoming stablecoin regulations—positioning USDG as one of the first globally compliant digital dollar tokens.

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Why the Stablecoin Market Needs Disruption

Today, USDT commands nearly 70% of the stablecoin market, with USDC holding most of the remainder—especially on Ethereum. This concentration raises concerns about centralization, systemic risk, and limited innovation due to lack of competition.

As Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Kraken, put it:

“The lack of competition in the regulated stablecoin market has prevented the industry from reaching its full potential. USDG upends this dynamic with a more equitable model that will bring mainstream participants into the ecosystem and accelerate new stablecoin use cases.”

By introducing a transparent, profit-sharing structure and broad distribution channels, the GDN aims to level the playing field for both retail and institutional users.

How USDG Stands Out: Innovation and Inclusion

Regulatory-First Approach

Unlike many stablecoins launched in regulatory gray areas, USDG is being built from the ground up to comply with international standards. Operating under Paxos’ Singapore entity ensures alignment with MAS guidelines, setting a precedent for future global stablecoin frameworks.

Profit-Sharing Economic Model

One of USDG’s most revolutionary features is its economic design. Instead of retaining all yield generated from reserve assets—a common practice among stablecoin issuers—GDN distributes nearly all returns back to network participants.

Charles Cascarilla, CEO and Co-Founder of Paxos, emphasized:

“Stablecoins are replatforming the financial system. Global Dollar Network will return virtually all rewards to participants and is open for anyone to join.”

This incentive model encourages wider adoption across exchanges, custodians, payment processors, and merchants.

Multi-Layered Security and Trust

DBS Bank, Southeast Asia’s largest and most trusted financial institution (named Asia’s safest bank for 16 consecutive years), will manage USDG’s reserve assets. This integration with traditional finance adds a critical layer of credibility and stability.

Strategic Partnerships Powering Distribution

The strength of the Global Dollar Network lies in its carefully curated partner ecosystem:

This coalition combines fintech agility with banking-grade security, creating a robust infrastructure capable of scaling across borders.

Expanding Access to Mainstream Users

Robinhood’s involvement is particularly significant. With its massive retail user base, the platform can onboard millions of new users to USDG without friction. Users will be able to transact, save, and earn yield using USDG directly within the Robinhood app—bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized applications.

Johann Kerbrat, GM & VP of Robinhood Crypto, stated:

“Stablecoins have been proven to offer a bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies, enabling faster, lower-cost, and more efficient transactions. We're pleased to support the Global Dollar Network's efforts to expand these opportunities.”

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FAQ: Your Questions About USDG and the Global Dollar Network

Q: What is USDG?
A: USDG is a regulated stablecoin issued by Paxos as part of the Global Dollar Network. It is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and backed by high-quality reserves including cash and U.S. Treasuries.

Q: How is USDG different from USDT or USDC?
A: USDG differentiates itself through its regulatory-first approach in Singapore, profit-sharing model for network participants, and strong institutional backing from DBS Bank and major crypto platforms.

Q: Where can I use USDG?
A: Initially available on Kraken, Bullish, and Robinhood, with future integration into Nuvei’s payment network for merchant transactions and cross-border payments.

Q: Is USDG safe?
A: Yes. USDG reserves are managed by DBS Bank, one of Asia’s most secure financial institutions. The token operates under strict regulatory oversight in Singapore.

Q: Who can join the Global Dollar Network?
A: The network currently operates in an invite-only phase for qualified institutions but plans to expand access to additional custodians, exchanges, and financial service providers.

Q: Does USDG generate yield?
A: While USDG itself maintains a stable value, participants in the network—such as exchanges and custodians—can share in the yield generated from reserve assets.

The Road Ahead: Building an Open Financial Ecosystem

The Global Dollar Network begins with an exclusive phase for vetted partners but is designed for long-term scalability. Its architecture allows for onboarding new members—from fintech startups to global banks—ensuring continued growth while preserving compliance and operational integrity.

This open yet secure framework could set a new standard for how digital currencies are issued, governed, and distributed worldwide.

As central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) gain momentum and global payments evolve, initiatives like GDN underscore the importance of private-sector innovation in shaping the future of money.

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Final Thoughts

The launch of USDG marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital dollars. With Robinhood bringing mass-market reach, Kraken offering deep liquidity, Paxos ensuring compliance, and DBS anchoring trust, the Global Dollar Network presents a compelling alternative to today’s dominant stablecoins.

By prioritizing fairness, transparency, and shared value creation, this alliance isn’t just challenging USDT and USDC—it’s reimagining what a truly inclusive digital financial system could look like.

For investors, developers, and everyday users alike, the rise of competitive, regulated stablecoins signals a maturing ecosystem where innovation meets accountability.


Core Keywords: stablecoin, USDG, Robinhood, Kraken, Global Dollar Network, digital dollar, regulated stablecoin, Paxos