TrueUSD, or TUSD, is a cryptocurrency that keeps its value locked to the U.S. dollar. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which swing wildly in price, TUSD stays at about $1.00 - because every TUSD token is backed by one real U.S. dollar sitting in a bank account. It’s not magic. It’s simple math: deposit $1, get 1 TUSD. Spend or sell TUSD, get your dollar back. This makes it one of the most reliable ways to hold value in crypto without risking your savings to market crashes.
Why TUSD Exists
In 2022, the TerraUSD (UST) collapse wiped out $40 billion in user funds overnight. It wasn’t backed by cash - it relied on complex algorithms that failed under pressure. Then in March 2023, USDC briefly dropped to $0.87 after bank failures shook confidence. People lost trust. They wanted something that couldn’t break. TrueUSD was built to fix that. Launched by Archblock (formerly TrustToken), it was one of the first stablecoins to promise daily proof that its reserves match its circulating supply. While others publish reports once a month or quarter, TUSD releases an independent audit every single day. That’s not marketing - it’s a technical requirement baked into its design.How TUSD Works
Here’s the step-by-step:- You send U.S. dollars to one of Archblock’s regulated bank partners.
- Within one business day, the system automatically mints an equal amount of TUSD and sends it to your crypto wallet.
- To cash out, you send TUSD back to a redemption address.
- After verification, your dollars are wired back to your bank account - again, within one business day.
Transparency You Can Verify
The biggest difference between TUSD and other stablecoins? Proof. Every day, Moore Hong Kong - a global accounting firm - publishes a report showing exactly how much USD is held in escrow. That number matches the total TUSD in circulation. No guesswork. No hidden assets. This isn’t just a claim. It’s live on-chain. Chainlink’s Proof of Reserves feeds real-time data into public dashboards. You can check it yourself. If someone claims TUSD is overissued, the blockchain will show they’re wrong. Compare that to Tether (USDT), which in early 2023 admitted only 3% of its reserves were in cash. Or Circle’s USDC, which still only does monthly audits. TUSD doesn’t just say it’s transparent - it proves it, every day.
How TUSD Compares to Other Stablecoins
| Feature | TrueUSD (TUSD) | USDC | USDT | DAI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | 100% USD cash | 100% USD cash + short-term Treasuries | Primarily commercial paper, some cash | Over-collateralized crypto assets |
| Audit Frequency | Daily | Monthly | Quarterly | Continuous on-chain |
| KYC Required | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Market Cap | $1.2 billion | $35 billion | $110 billion | $5.2 billion |
| Supported Chains | 6+ major blockchains | 5+ major blockchains | 15+ blockchains | 10+ blockchains |
| Redemption Speed | 1 business day | 1 business day | 1-3 business days | Instant (crypto collateral) |
Who Uses TUSD?
You’ll find TUSD on major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. It’s used by traders who want to exit volatile markets without leaving crypto. It’s used by DeFi users who need a stable asset to lend or borrow against. And it’s used by people in countries with unstable local currencies - Nigeria, Argentina, Turkey - who use TUSD to protect their savings. Reddit users report that during the March 2025 market crash, when USDC dipped below $1, TUSD held its peg. One trader said, “I moved my whole portfolio to TUSD after that. I sleep better now.” On Trustpilot, 4.3 out of 5 stars from nearly 300 reviews show people are happy with the redemption process - 92% got their money within the promised day. But there’s a catch: you have to verify your identity. TUSD requires KYC/AML checks. That means no anonymous use. If you want privacy, USDT is easier - but you’re trusting a company that won’t show you its books daily.Regulation and Future Outlook
TUSD was one of the first stablecoins approved by the New York Department of Financial Services in December 2024. That’s a big deal. Regulators don’t hand out approvals lightly. When the EU passed MiCA regulations in June 2024 - requiring daily audits and 1:1 backing - TUSD didn’t need to change a thing. It already met the rules. That gave it a major edge in Europe. In November 2025, Archblock announced integration with FedNow, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s instant payment system. That means TUSD reserves could one day be directly connected to the U.S. banking backbone - a move that could make it the most trusted digital dollar in the world. Looking ahead, TUSD plans to expand to Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot. It’s also testing zero-knowledge proofs to let institutions transact privately without hiding the reserves.
Is TUSD Right for You?
If you want:- Stability - no surprises, no depegging
- Transparency - you can verify reserves yourself
- Low-cost transfers - $0.01 per transaction
- Regulatory trust - approved by top U.S. and EU regulators
- Anonymous transactions - skip TUSD, try USDT
- The largest liquidity pool - stick with USDT or USDC
- Zero KYC - TUSD won’t work for you
How to Get Started
1. Choose a wallet that supports ERC-20 or any of TUSD’s supported chains (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Coinbase Wallet). 2. Go to a supported exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken) and buy TUSD with USD. 3. Complete KYC - upload ID and proof of address. Takes 1-3 days. 4. Start using it: send, trade, or hold. If you want to redeem for cash, use the same exchange or Archblock’s redemption portal. Withdrawals usually hit your bank in one business day.Common Issues and Fixes
- Redemption stuck? During high-volume periods, delays can happen. Wait 24-48 hours. If it’s longer, contact support - most issues resolve within 6 hours. - Can’t find TUSD on your wallet? Make sure you’ve added the correct contract address for your chain. Use the official Archblock site for verified addresses. - High gas fees? Switch to Polygon or BNB Chain for cheaper transfers. TUSD works everywhere. TUSD isn’t flashy. It doesn’t promise 100x returns. But in crypto, where trust is rare, that’s exactly what makes it valuable.Is TrueUSD (TUSD) really backed by real U.S. dollars?
Yes. Every TUSD token is backed by one U.S. dollar held in FDIC-insured bank accounts. Independent accounting firm Moore Hong Kong verifies this daily and publishes public reports showing exact reserve amounts. You can check the live data on Chainlink’s Proof of Reserves dashboard.
Can I use TUSD on any blockchain?
TUSD runs on multiple blockchains including Ethereum (ERC-20), BNB Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, TRON, and Fantom. You can move TUSD between these networks using bridges or exchanges. Each version is fully backed and interchangeable.
Do I need to verify my identity to use TUSD?
Yes. TUSD requires KYC/AML verification for all redemptions and large transactions. This is a legal requirement tied to its regulated reserve structure. If you want anonymous stablecoins, USDT is an alternative - but it doesn’t offer daily transparency.
How fast can I convert TUSD back to USD?
Typically within one business day. After you send TUSD to the redemption address, the banking partner verifies the tokens and wires your USD. During peak demand, delays can extend to 48 hours, but 92% of users report successful withdrawals within the promised timeframe.
Is TUSD safer than USDT or USDC?
In terms of transparency and reserve backing, TUSD is considered safer. USDT’s reserves are mostly commercial paper, not cash, and audits are quarterly. USDC is transparent but only monthly. TUSD is the only major stablecoin with daily, third-party verified audits and 100% cash reserves. That’s why regulators and institutional investors view it as a benchmark for trust.
What’s the price of TUSD right now?
As of January 2026, TUSD trades at $0.9995 USD - essentially $1.00. Its price stays tightly pegged due to daily reserve audits and arbitrage mechanisms. Minor deviations under $0.001 are normal and quickly corrected by market participants.
Christina Shrader
I've been using TUSD for my DeFi yields and it's been rock solid. No drama, no surprises. Just clean, simple, reliable USD on-chain. I don't need flash, I need function.
Kelly Post
The daily audits are the real game-changer. Most people don't get how radical that is. Imagine if your bank published your balance publicly every morning. That's the level of transparency TUSD operates at. It's not just safe-it's revolutionary.
Tony Loneman
Oh please. 'Daily audits'? Sounds like a PR stunt cooked up by some Silicon Valley bros who read one article about UST and panicked. USDT has been around for a decade and still moves more volume than TUSD in a single week. This is just virtue signaling with a blockchain.
Anthony Ventresque
I used to think USDC was the gold standard until I dug into TUSD’s audit logs. The fact that Moore Hong Kong publishes a live, verifiable report every single day? That’s not marketing-that’s integrity. I’ve started moving all my stablecoin holdings here. No regrets.
Anna Gringhuis
Let’s be real: if you’re using TUSD because you’re scared of USDT, you’re missing the point. USDT is the oil of crypto. TUSD is the organic kale smoothie. One fuels the machine, the other makes you feel good about your choices. Both have their place.
Michael Jones
The $0.01 transaction fee is worth highlighting. On Ethereum, that’s less than 1% of the average gas cost. On Polygon? It’s practically free. This isn’t just about stability-it’s about accessibility. TUSD makes cross-border value transfer feasible for small users.
Telleen Anderson-Lozano
I love that it’s on so many chains, but… I also wonder if that’s a risk? More chains = more attack surfaces, more bridges = more points of failure. I’ve seen TUSD move from Ethereum to Polygon in under a minute, but what if one of those bridges gets exploited? The transparency helps, but it doesn’t eliminate risk.
Shaun Beckford
TUSD is a cute little toy for people who want to feel safe while they’re still gambling on crypto. Meanwhile, real money moves in USDT and USDC because they have liquidity, not because they’re 'transparent'. TUSD’s market cap is less than 1% of USDT’s. That tells you everything.
Chris Evans
The real question isn’t whether TUSD is backed-it’s whether we should trust any centralized stablecoin at all. The moment you rely on a bank account, you’ve surrendered sovereignty. TUSD is just a more elegant cage. The blockchain was supposed to free us from banks-not give them a new uniform.
Pat G
I don't trust any of this. The New York DFS approval? That's just Wall Street giving itself a gold star. They're all in bed with the Fed. TUSD is just the Fed's digital puppet. You think you're avoiding inflation? You're just buying a digital dollar that's being printed by the same people who caused the problem.
Alexandra Heller
It's ironic. We're building this whole decentralized future on a foundation of centralized banking. TUSD is the most honest version of that lie, but it's still a lie. You can't have true financial freedom when your 'stablecoin' is tethered to the Federal Reserve's balance sheet.
myrna stovel
For anyone in Latin America or Southeast Asia reading this: TUSD is a lifeline. I’ve seen friends in Colombia use it to pay rent, send money home, even buy groceries when the peso was collapsing. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most reliable tool they’ve got. Don’t underestimate its real-world impact.
Hannah Campbell
KYC? Really? So now I have to hand over my passport to use a crypto coin that's supposed to be decentralized? Thanks but no thanks. If you need a bank account to use it, why not just use a bank account?
Bryan Muñoz
They're using Chainlink? LOL. Chainlink is owned by the same people who built USDC. This is all one big coordinated scam. The 'daily audits' are just fake data fed into a dashboard. The real reserves? Probably in offshore shell companies. You think you're safe? You're being played.
Rod Petrik
TUSD is fine I guess but why not just use Bitcoin? At least BTC isn't tied to the Fed. All these stablecoins are just digital IOUs. They're not money. They're promises. And promises can be broken. Remember the 2022 crash? It could happen again. I'm just holding BTC and laughing.
Pramod Sharma
Simple, transparent, functional. That's all you need. TUSD delivers. No fluff.