Stablecoins come in three main types: fiat-collateralized, crypto-collateralized, and algorithmic. Fiat-backed ones are tied to assets like USD, crypto-collateralized are backed by crypto assets, and algorithmic stablecoins rely on supply adjustments to maintain their peg. In DeFi, stablecoins provide stability, liquidity, and are widely used for lending, borrowing, and trading, significantly boosting market liquidity.
They maintain price stability through reserves, collateralization, or algorithms, but each approach has risks, such as reserve transparency issues and market shocks. Regulatory challenges around transparency and consumer protection are growing, potentially reshaping stablecoin operations and adoption worldwide.