Crypto is Macro Now

Crypto is Macro Now

Stablecoins: When is a dollar not a dollar?

Plus: banks + public blockchains, stablecoin services, US jobs, BTC buys

Noelle Acheson's avatar
Noelle Acheson
Nov 19, 2025
∙ Paid

“I wouldn’t have seen it if I hadn’t believed it.” – Marshall McLuhan ||

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves.

I was planning to publish a short newsletter early tomorrow before I head to the airport but, looking at the timing, I’m realizing that’s ambitious, and so this will be the last newsletter of the week. Much to catch up on when I’m back at my desk on Monday!


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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

  • When is a dollar not a dollar?

  • BNY: banks and stablecoin services

  • OCC: Banks and public blockchains

  • Macro-Crypto Bits: BTC buyers, US jobs

Crypto is Macro Now offers ~daily commentary and updates on the overlap between the crypto and macro landscapes.

If you’re not a premium subscriber, I hope you’ll consider becoming one! 🙏 You’ll get much more info, insight, charts and useful/fun links.

WHAT I’M WATCHING:

When is a dollar not a dollar?

Here’s an interesting stablecoin twist: a dollar-pegged token issued by a country closely allied with Russia. Wait, it gets better.

Last week, Kyrgyzstan minted over $50 million worth of its national dollar stablecoin USDKG. Only, it’s not backed by dollars – it’s pegged to a dollar, but it’s backed by gold.

Several threads to pull on here.

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