Plasma is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain specifically built to handle global stablecoin payments, with a strong focus on USDT (Tether’s USD₮). Launched in 2025, it addresses the limitations of general-purpose blockchains by optimizing for fast, low-cost, and seamless stablecoin transactions. Plasma aims to become the go-to infrastructure for digital dollar payments worldwide.
Key Features
• Zero-Fee USDT Transfers — Users send USDT without paying gas fees, thanks to on-chain sponsorship mechanisms.
• High Speed and Scalability — Over 1,000 transactions per second (TPS) with sub-second block times.
• EVM Compatibility — Developers deploy Ethereum smart contracts without changes, using familiar tools.
• Custom Gas Options — Pay fees in stablecoins or other supported tokens, not just the native token.
• Global Reach — Supports over 100 countries, 100 currencies, and 200+ payment methods, making it ideal for cross-border payments.
• Security and Consensus — Uses PlasmaBFT (a variant of HotStuff) for fast, Byzantine fault-tolerant finality.
Plasma stands out by prioritizing stablecoins over general computing. It integrates features like confidential transactions (in development) and direct support for multiple stablecoins (25+ supported).
The XPL Token
The native token XPL powers the network:
• Secures the blockchain through staking and governance.
• Used for certain fees and network operations.
• Total supply: 10 billion XPL.
• Circulating supply: Approximately 1.8 billion XPL.
As of January 2026, XPL trades at around $0.14 USD, with a market capitalization of about $252 million and 24-hour trading volume exceeding $50 million. It ranks among the top 150 cryptocurrencies by market cap and trades on major exchanges like Bitfinex, Binance, and others.
