What's a Stable Coin and Should You Buy

Description

This week, Monika explains how stablecoins promise safety in uncertain times. She recalls Lebanon’s 2019 crisis, when $93 billion in deposits were frozen, to show why people turned to alternatives. Unlike Bitcoin, these coins are tied to assets like US dollars or government bonds. And with the US GENIUS Act setting strict rules on reserves and transparency, stablecoins are moving into the mainstream.

She also explores the bigger picture: how stablecoins could disrupt the $740 billion remittance market, making cross-border transfers faster and cheaper for families worldwide. Banks may adapt by launching their own tokens or buying up existing players, while the US dollar could grow stronger as these coins gain global use. For Indians, she notes, the impact is limited for now — with no hyperinflation or frozen deposits, stablecoins will only matter once trusted names build safe and low-cost networks.

This week’s listener questions feature Nonisha Negi from Delhi, a 25-year-old freelancer, asking how to invest with irregular income while saving for the future. Pranay Agarwal challenges Monika’s cautious stance on gold, urging a bigger allocation in Indian portfolios. And an anonymous listener seeks advice on co-signing a home loan for his wife amid deeper marital tensions.

Chapters:

(00:00 – 00:00) Stablecoins Explained: Why They Matter and How They Work

(00:00 – 00:00) Regulation, Global Impact, and the Future of Stablecoins

(00:00 – 00:00) Should You Invest in Stablecoins?

(00:00 – 00:00) Gold vs Other Investments: Finding the Right Balance

(00:00 – 00:00) Money and Marriage: Being a Co-Borrower

If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at ⁠mailme@monikahalan.com⁠

Monika’s book on basic money management

⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/⁠⁠

Monika’s book on mutual funds

⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-mutual-funds/⁠

Monika’s workbook on recording your financial life