Huobi Global Faces Risks As Investments In stUSDT Surge To $1.8 Billion
21 September 2023 - 8:00AM
NEWSBTC
Huobi Global, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, is at risk as
investments in the staked USDT (stUSDT) project soar to $1.8
billion. The project, spearheaded by crypto entrepreneur Justin
Sun, promises 5% returns tied to low-risk securities like
government bonds. However, according to a Bloomberg report,
Huobi’s heavy involvement in the project raises concerns about the
exchange’s ability to manage sudden outflows of funds and the
transparency of its reserves. Huobi’s Association With stUSDT
Sparks Concerns And Triggers Institutional Withdrawals Per the
report, Huobi’s close association with the stUSDT project has led
to a significant transformation in the exchange’s crypto
reserves. Altering by this shift and the lack of transparency
surrounding stUSDT, institutional traders have withdrawn a
substantial portion of their crypto holdings from Huobi.
Related Reading: Bitcoin May Not See Lasting Bullish Momentum Until
This Happens This withdrawal trend highlights the potential risks
of Huobi’s concentration on the stUSDT platform. Notably,
blockchain research firms have expressed concerns about the
relative lack of transparency surrounding the stUSDT project. The
absence of comprehensive information about its investments raises
questions about the source and sustainability of the advertised
4.2% yield. Huobi’s reliance on the project exposes the
exchange to problems that may arise within stUSDT, further
magnifying its potential vulnerabilities. As investments in stUSDT
have grown, Huobi’s Tether (USDT) reserves have plummeted, raising
further concerns. While Huobi maintains that stUSDT is a separate
project not overseen by the exchange, the heavy concentration of
stUSDT in its reserves implies that Huobi’s fortunes are closely
linked to the success or failure of the project. The
dominance of tokens associated with Justin Sun, such as TRON (TRX)
and Huobi Token (HT), in Huobi’s reserves adds another risk layer,
as market participants could perceive it as a higher exchange risk.
Huobi Global’s Average Daily Trading Volume Plummets Institutional
clients, including crypto funds and market makers, have expressed
concerns about the dominance of stUSDT and other tokens associated
with Justin Sun in Huobi’s reserves. According to Bloomberg,
these clients have withdrawn a significant portion of their digital
assets from the exchange shortly after the launch of the staked
Tether project. This departure from Huobi has contributed to a
decline in the exchange’s average daily trading volume. The stUSDT
project’s rapid growth and lack of transparency raise questions
about its underlying investments and the sustainability of its
returns. Investors and industry experts emphasize the importance of
increased transparency and oversight to understand the sources of
yield and mitigate potential risks. Per the report, the project’s
management team intends to engage a reputable third-party
verification entity to enhance community oversight. However,
further details about the project’s structure and employees remain
scarce. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bulls Could Buck Downtrend With
Move To $42,000 What is certain is that Huobi Global’s involvement
in the stUSDT project has significantly impacted the composition of
its reserves, raising concerns among institutional traders and
industry experts. The heavy concentration of stUSDT, TRX, and
HT tokens in Huobi’s reserves and the lack of transparency
surrounding the project pose potential risks to the exchange’s
financial stability. To alleviate these concerns, greater
transparency and oversight are essential, ensuring the
sustainability and credibility of the stUSDT project and Huobi’s
operations in the evolving crypto landscape. Featured image from
iStock, chart from TradingView.com
Huobi Token (COIN:HTUSD)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
Huobi Token (COIN:HTUSD)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024