TrueUSD (TUSD)
score
Fees: free to hold; network gas on transfers
TUSD is an older stablecoin now overshadowed by better-disclosed competitors, with a track record of peg instability and custody concerns. Users should weigh its weaker transparency carefully. This is not financial advice.
What TrueUSD Is
TrueUSD (TUSD) is a fiat-backed stablecoin that launched in 2018 as one of the earlier US-dollar tokens. It is designed to trade at one dollar and has offered real-time reserve reporting integrations and multi-chain availability. Once a notable name, it has since been overshadowed by better-disclosed competitors and now holds a declining share of the market.
How It Scores
This is the weakest-rated stablecoin on our list, and the criteria show why. Reserves and transparency (4.5) and regulation (4.5) are low, reflecting persistent questions over custody and disclosure. Peg stability (6.5) and liquidity and acceptance (5.5) have both slipped, with thinning depth as usage migrates to stronger alternatives. Decentralization scores 2, as expected for a centralized issuer.
Fees
TUSD is free to hold, and transfers cost only the network gas of whichever chain you use. As with other fiat-backed tokens, there is no charge simply for keeping it, and most costs come from the exchange or wallet you transact through.
The Core Concern
The main caveat is trust in the backing. TUSD has repeatedly lost its peg, including a notable slide in 2023 tied to reserve and custodian concerns, and its reserves had exposure to the failed Prime Trust custodian. Combined with attestation-based transparency and questions over control, this makes its risk profile harder to assess than that of its more openly reported rivals.
Who It's For
There is little reason for most users to choose TUSD over a better-disclosed stablecoin today. Anyone considering it should weigh its weaker transparency and history of peg instability carefully against the alternatives. This is not financial advice.
Overall 5.1 / 10 — the weighted average of the criteria above. How we score →
- + Long-standing fiat-backed token with real-time reserve reporting integrations
- + Multi-chain availability and historical exchange support
- − Repeatedly lost its peg, including a notable slide in 2023 amid reserve and custodian concerns
- − Reserve custody and transparency have drawn criticism, including exposure to the failed Prime Trust custodian
- − Declining market share, thinning liquidity, and questions over control and disclosure
Is TUSD safe?
+
TUSD carries more uncertainty than its peers. It has repeatedly lost its peg, including a notable 2023 slide, and had exposure to the failed Prime Trust custodian, which is reflected in our low 4.5 transparency score. Its backing and disclosure warrant careful scrutiny.
Why has TUSD lost market share?
+
Better-disclosed competitors have drawn users away, and repeated peg instability plus custody concerns have eroded confidence. The result is thinner liquidity and a declining role in the market.
What are TUSD's fees?
+
Holding TUSD is free, and transfers cost only network gas. There is no issuer fee simply to hold the token; costs come from the venues you use.
Is TUSD a good stablecoin?
+
We rate it 5.1, the lowest on our stablecoin list, because of weak transparency, past depegs, and custody concerns. Most users are likely better served by a more transparent alternative.
What networks is TUSD on?
+
TUSD has been available across multiple blockchains and historically had broad exchange support, though its liquidity has thinned as adoption has declined.