For the first time, institutional and decentralized finance users can now seamlessly swap between BlackRock’s tokenized U.S. Treasury fund, BUIDL, and Ethena’s USDtb stablecoin around the clock. This innovation, announced by Securitize on June 18, represents a significant step forward in bridging traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi), setting new standards for how tokenized assets are accessed and utilized on-chain.

24/7 Liquidity for BUIDL and USDtb

Thanks to a newly implemented liquidity fund smart contract, qualified users onboarded through Securitize can now perform atomic swaps between BUIDL and USDtb at any time. This development offers holders of BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) unrestricted access to a range of DeFi strategies that already leverage USDtb.

USDtb, which has a circulating supply exceeding $113 million, is primarily backed by BUIDL. It provides a stable, composable, and yield-generating digital dollar on-chain, making it a key player in the tokenized asset ecosystem.

What This Means for DeFi and CeFi Users

The integration, developed by Securitize and Ethena Labs, eliminates the need for off-chain intermediaries, enabling asset holders to switch seamlessly between programmable dollars and tokenized treasuries. This advancement enhances liquidity and trading options for both centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) participants.

By enabling atomic swaps, the collaboration unlocks new possibilities for composability and accessibility in the crypto ecosystem. Users can now diversify and optimize their portfolios with greater efficiency, leveraging the strengths of both BUIDL and USDtb.

BUIDL’s Growing Influence in the Crypto Landscape

BUIDL’s role in the crypto infrastructure continues to expand. The fund has recently been listed as collateral on platforms such as Deribit and Crypto.com. With approximately 40% dominance in the $7.3 billion tokenized U.S. Treasuries market, BUIDL is attracting significant institutional inflows from entities seeking regulated yield exposure.

However, the concentration of USDtb’s reserves in BUIDL introduces systemic risks. If BUIDL were to encounter redemption delays or regulatory challenges, the stability of USDtb’s backing could be tested. Despite these potential risks, the system leverages verified reserves and audited smart contracts to maintain transparency and capital efficiency.

Key Takeaways for Investors

For investors interested in tokenized assets and DeFi strategies, this integration offers several advantages:

  • Seamless Asset Swapping: Atomic swaps eliminate the need for intermediaries, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
  • 24/7 Liquidity: Users can access liquidity anytime, enhancing portfolio flexibility.
  • Yield Opportunities: BUIDL-backed USDtb offers exposure to regulated yield with on-chain composability.
  • Transparency: Verified reserves and audited smart contracts provide confidence in the system’s integrity.

As tokenized assets like BUIDL and USDtb continue to gain traction, they play a pivotal role in connecting traditional financial instruments with the innovative possibilities of blockchain technology. This development underscores the growing maturity and integration of the crypto and traditional finance sectors, paving the way for a more interconnected financial landscape.