To invest in stablecoins in Chile, you can use Skipo, a Chilean digital asset platform registered with the CMF. At Skipo we do not charge fees for buying or selling crypto, and you can access USDT and USDC directly in pesos. We are also the first platform in Chile with an interest-bearing USDT account that lets you earn automatic gains every day.
What will we cover in this article?
In this guide we explain what stablecoins are, how the different types work (fiat-backed, crypto-backed and algorithmic), their main use cases in Chile and around the world, why they are relevant to any digital portfolio, and how to buy USDT or USDC step by step on Skipo. We also review the latest market figures and why Latin America has become one of the regions with the highest stablecoin adoption in the world.
What stablecoins are and why they matter
A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to keep a stable value. In practice, almost all of them are pegged to the US dollar: 1 USDT = 1 dollar, 1 USDC = 1 dollar.
Unlike bitcoin or ether, which can rise or fall 10% in a day, stablecoins eliminate that volatility. But they keep the advantages of the blockchain ecosystem: fast, borderless transactions, available 24 hours a day.
They are, in a nutshell, digital dollars that live on the blockchain.
The three types of stablecoins
Not all stablecoins work the same way. There are three main models:
1. Fiat-backed (the most widely used) For every stablecoin issued, the issuer keeps one real dollar in reserve. This is the model of USDT (Tether) and USDC (Circle), the two largest on the market. They are the easiest to understand and the most widely adopted globally.
2. Crypto-backed Instead of dollars, the collateral is other cryptocurrencies. To offset the collateral's volatility, these stablecoins are issued with overcollateralization: if you want the equivalent of 100 USDC, you deposit US$150 in ETH. The best-known example is DAI, from MakerDAO.
3. Algorithmic They have no collateral. An algorithm and a system of incentives try to keep the price at US$1. This is the riskiest model: the collapse of UST/LUNA in 2022 (which wiped out more than 40 billion dollars in value) exposed its weaknesses.
The market today runs mainly on fiat-backed stablecoins. It is the model that works.
Stablecoins in numbers
The stablecoin market grew significantly during 2025. Some key figures:
- Total stablecoin market capitalization exceeded US$300 billion during 2025, after growing from US$205 billion at the start of the year.
- USDT (Tether) ended the third quarter of 2025 with a market capitalization of US$175 billion, with daily trading volumes of US$144 billion.
- USDC (Circle) is positioned as the second-largest stablecoin, with a market capitalization of US$73.4 billion at the end of Q3 2025.
- Stablecoins accounted for 30% of total transaction volume in cryptocurrencies between January and July 2025, reaching more than US$4 trillion in cumulative volume, an 83% increase over the same period in 2024.
The stablecoin market is no longer a fringe phenomenon: it is global financial infrastructure.
Why are stablecoins interesting for investors in Chile?
Access to dollars without a bank or exchange house
Converting pesos to dollars in Chile involves exchange rate spreads, banking hours and friction. With stablecoins, you can get exposure to the dollar immediately, 24/7, from your phone.
For anyone who wants to protect part of their savings from the peso's volatility, USDT or USDC is a direct and accessible alternative.
A hedge against crypto volatility
If you hold bitcoin or ether and the market falls, you can convert part of your portfolio to stablecoins in seconds, without leaving the crypto ecosystem. It is the "safe haven" function within the digital world: you protect value without going to a bank.
Passive yield: the Skipo interest-bearing account
What makes USDT especially attractive today is not just its stability, but that it can earn a yield. At Skipo we offer the first interest-bearing crypto account in Chile: your USDT works through the Aave protocol (a decentralized protocol) and earns automatic gains every day, with a minimum of 5 USDT.
You can read more about how to activate it in our interest-bearing account guide.
Latin America leads adoption, and Chile is not far behind
Business use of stablecoins in Latin America doubled during the first half of 2025, according to data presented at the first Stablecoin Conference LatAm.
In Chile, stablecoin adoption has grown strongly, with local platforms like Skipo. The 2023 Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521) legally recognized stablecoins as digital assets, which gives the Chilean ecosystem a clear framework to keep growing.
Stablecoins are no longer just for traders: they are a real financial tool for anyone in Chile.
Advantages of buying stablecoins with Skipo
No fees
At Skipo we do not charge a fee for buying USDT or USDC, or for selling, custody or internal transfers. What you invest is what you get.
24/7 with instant settlement
Crypto markets never close. You can buy or sell USDT at 3 a.m. on a Sunday and the trade executes instantly.
Interest-bearing USDT account
Your USDT earns automatic returns every day. It is the first interest-bearing crypto account in Chile.
Top-tier security
Skipo is registered in the CMF's Registry of Financial Service Providers, and its authorization to operate is in process under the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521). We also hold ISO 27001 certification in information security. Operating with a platform registered with the CMF gives you more protection than one that is not.
With Skipo, buying stablecoins in Chile is as simple as making a bank transfer.
How do you buy USDT or USDC on Skipo? Step by step
- Download the Skipo app — Available on the App Store and Google Play. Search for "Skipo" and download it for free.
- Create your account — Sign up with your email and verify your identity.
- Deposit — Transfer pesos from your bank account. The deposit shows up in your Skipo account in seconds. You can also transfer cryptocurrencies from other platforms.
- Search for USDT or USDC — In the cryptocurrencies section, search for the asset you want. You will see the current price and the real-time chart.
- Buy — Choose the amount in pesos you want to invest. Confirm and you are done: the trade executes instantly.
Conclusions
Stablecoins are today one of the most versatile tools in the crypto ecosystem: dollar stability, 24/7 availability and, in the case of USDT on Skipo, the possibility of earning passive yield from day one.
If you are building a digital portfolio, stablecoins are an essential part: they give you immediate liquidity, protect you from volatility and let you diversify without leaving the ecosystem. You can also combine them with other assets such as bitcoin or tokenized stocks via xStocks for a more complete strategy.
Download the Skipo app and start investing in stablecoins today.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Asset prices can go up or down, and all investments carry risk. Before investing, assess your personal financial situation.
Frequently asked questions
Are stablecoins safe?
Fiat-backed stablecoins like USDT and USDC are the most established on the market, with reserve attestation reports by independent firms and broad institutional adoption. As with any digital asset, it is worth understanding how they work before investing. On Skipo you can buy them on a platform registered with the CMF.
What is the difference between USDT and USDC?
Both are worth 1 dollar, but they have different issuers. USDT is issued by Tether and is the stablecoin with the highest global liquidity and trading volume. USDC is issued by Circle and is considered the option most focused on regulatory transparency. Both are available on Skipo.
Can I earn a yield on my stablecoins?
Yes. At Skipo we offer the first interest-bearing crypto account in Chile in USDT: your balance earns automatic gains every day through the Aave protocol. The minimum to activate it is 5 USDT.
Do stablecoins lose value?
They are designed to keep their parity with the dollar. However, in moments of extreme market stress, some stablecoins have temporarily deviated from their peg. The most reliable are those backed by real reserves, such as USDT and USDC.
What is the minimum to buy stablecoins on Skipo?
CLP 1,000. You do not need to buy a whole USDT: you can buy fractions depending on the amount you want to invest.
Glossary
Stablecoin: A cryptocurrency designed to keep a stable value, usually pegged to the US dollar.
Peg: A stablecoin's price anchor to a reference asset. We say a stablecoin "lost its peg" when its price moves away from that value.
USDT (Tether): The largest stablecoin in the world by market capitalization, issued by the company Tether Limited.
USDC (USD Coin): A stablecoin issued by Circle, known for its focus on transparency and regulatory compliance.
Fiat-backed: A term for stablecoins backed by fiat currency (such as dollars) held in real reserves.
Aave: A decentralized lending protocol (DeFi) that Skipo uses as the basis for its interest-bearing USDT account.
Overcollateralization: A mechanism by which crypto-backed stablecoins require more collateral than the value issued, to absorb volatility.
