Key Highlights
- Over 65% of U.S. crypto traders earn yield on stablecoins, with more than one-quarter doing so regularly.
- Providing liquidity and staking are the most popular ways to earn stablecoin yield, while lending via DeFi is used by nearly 20%.
- Traders want control over their money but are open to delegating operational tasks.
A new survey by OKX, a cryptocurrency exchange firm, indicates that most active U.S. crypto traders are already earning yield on stablecoins.
According to the study shared with The Crypto Times, the survey included 1,000 participants and found that more than 65% of respondents have used onchain tools to earn returns, with over a quarter doing so regularly.
“The deposit flight scenario central to the banking industry’s opposition to the GENIUS Act hasn’t materialized,” the survey noted, showing that stablecoin yield is becoming mainstream rather than just a niche trend.
Experienced traders face challenges signing onchain tools
The exchange reports that these traders are not beginners. About two-thirds started trading before 2023, which means that they have been through several market cycles.
Even so, using onchain tools is not easy. An OKX spokesperson said, “The picture is striking. 90% say a CeDeFi model is appealing, yet 29% still cite security risks as their biggest barrier to going further and 25% fear irreversible mistakes. At OKX, listening to our customers is at the core of everything we do. They want onchain access without the operational anxiety, and our continued focus is building a platform that delivers exactly that, giving users the control they want with the security and simplicity they expect.”
Additionally, out of the surveyed, 23% of the group also had trouble managing many different apps.
Popular ways to earn stablecoin yield
The survey also looked at how they earn this yield. About 40% provide liquidity to stablecoin pools, which makes it the most popular method. Staking on centralized platforms is second at just over 36%, while lending through DeFi protocols appeals to almost one in five users.
This suggests that traders are using these strategies as practical financial tools rather than just for gambling or quick trades.
The OKX survey also reported that traders expressed strong preferences for control over their assets. According to the study, more than half, 51%, want to manage most aspects themselves with some help from automation, while 38% want complete control. Only 2% said they would hand over full responsibility. But handling crypto comes with challenges as traders often worry about losing access to their money.
The survey further asked which tasks traders would be comfortable delegating to exchanges. About 24% of the traders choose best-price routing, followed by scam detection at 21% and timing trade execution by 16%.
12% of the traders were ready to let the exchange do their bridging, while only 1% said they would not let the exchange do anything.
Regulation could unlock more onchain activity
Most traders also see clarity in regulations as a boost. The OKX survey found that 90% of respondents liked the idea of combining centralized exchanges with onchain tools, especially when rules are clear.
Over one-third said they would use centralized exchanges as the main way to go onchain, while only 16% plan to access DeFi directly. This further confirms the need for a trusted and regulated platform to bridge the gap between traditional crypto exchanges and decentralized markets.
Regulations could also address the biggest worries traders have, like security risks, scams, and mistakes. With clear custody rules and consumer protections, lawmakers could reduce the risks that prevent traders from using onchain tools more fully.
Overall, the OKX survey shows that earning yield on stablecoins is common, traders are careful but experienced, and most want a mix of control and support from exchanges.
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