Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) thinks it might be time to rethink what we call stablecoins.
According to Robert Hackett, the name “stablecoin” doesn’t fully fit anymore.
Back in the early days of crypto, the term made sense. These tokens — like Tether — were mainly created to solve one problem: extreme price swings. They gave users something stable in a very volatile market.
But things have changed.
Today, stablecoins are doing a lot more than just holding value. They’re being used for:
- Payments
- Cross-border transfers
- Settlements
- Savings and financial apps
Hackett’s point is simple: stability is no longer the main feature — it’s just the starting point.
In his words, it’s now “table stakes.”
The market size shows how far things have come. Stablecoins have grown into a roughly $320 billion sector, becoming a key bridge between traditional money and blockchain systems.
Because of that, some people in the industry think the name itself is outdated.
Developers and analysts argue that calling them “stablecoins” keeps the focus on volatility — a problem from the past — instead of what they’ve become: a foundation for digital money.
There are ideas for new names:
- “Digital cash”
- “Programmable money”
- “Digital dollars”
But none of these have really stuck yet.
And Hackett admits that changing the name might not even happen. In tech, old names often stay around long after the meaning evolves — just like “email” or “horsepower.”
So for now, “stablecoin” is probably here to stay.
But the bigger shift is clear:
These assets are moving from a simple crypto tool…
to a core part of how money could work on the internet.
