Because you know, for how many years have we been told that USDT is the big dog of all stablecoins. It's the default, the go-to. But here’s the thing, that’s all going to change, particularly here in Southeast Asia. 1 Leave the old ways behind! We hope to be at the vanguard of a private stablecoin future, made possible by the distinct needs and dreams of our area.

Financial Freedom, Not Just Stability

Think about it. Southeast Asia is at the cross-section of colorful cultures, riding growing economic winds, and home to about 300 million unbanked people. We’re prioritizing people who are locked out of the existing financial ecosystem. These individuals have little to no access to banking resources and are at an increased risk of predation. USDT and its public stablecoin brethren? They provide stability, of course, but they do not provide true financial freedom.

Financial freedom means privacy. It means control over your own money. It means having the ability to transact without fear of surveillance or censorship. USDT, with its transparent blockchain, just won’t be able to provide that kind of assurance. Each transaction is set in concrete, available for all the world to view. That’s a terrifying prospect in a part of the world where political and economic turmoil can easily become the order of the day.

This is where private stablecoins come in. Picture this — a stablecoin like DAI that implements zero-knowledge proofs or encrypted transactions in order to offer full privacy. Now, that's a game-changer. That’s a powerful tool to empower people, protect enterprises, and encourage responsible innovation. Think of the possibilities:

  • Remittances without prying eyes: Millions of Southeast Asians rely on remittances from family members working abroad. Private stablecoins can make these transactions faster, cheaper, and more secure, bypassing the exorbitant fees and intrusive surveillance of traditional money transfer services.
  • Secure cross-border trade: Small businesses across the region can use private stablecoins to conduct international trade without worrying about currency fluctuations or the watchful eye of regulators.
  • Protection from inflation and currency devaluation: In countries with unstable currencies, private stablecoins can provide a safe haven for savings, protecting individuals from the ravages of inflation and devaluation.

At stake is nothing less than a move from monetary orthodoxy to an economics of liberation.

Southeast Asia: The Privacy Hotspot

Because we need this more than anyone. We’re a region of extremely varied political landscapes, where faith in the federal government can start from a pretty low baseline. We’re a region with a long-standing cultural focus on privacy and keeping things close to the vest.

And this need is obvious in the data. While other coins tanked inside the 2022 crypto winter, Monero (XMR) skyrocketed. It saw volume spikes of 150% and much higher whenever regulatory pressure ramped up. Everyone longs for privacy, and it is most desirable when the walls are closing in.

Let's connect some dots here. What we can tell is that Ethereum-based privacy protocols hit over $1 billion in quarterly transaction volume during Q2 2024. That’s not just background chatter—that’s institutional momentum telling you that privacy is the new black.

And while everyone else is glued to the USDT/BTC charts, savvy traders are looking at XMR/BTC, noticing the 5-7% volatility swings triggered by news events. It's all pointing in one direction: privacy is becoming a premium asset.

We’re not just blowing smoke when we say the issue goes beyond money laundering. We’re not just making the conversation relevant to protecting vulnerable populations, fostering economic growth, and building a more equitable financial system.

Local Innovation Beats Global Domination

I predict that within the next few years, we'll see a thriving ecosystem of private stablecoins emerge in Southeast Asia, built by Southeast Asians, for Southeast Asians.

We don’t need USDT. We don’t have to depend on far centralized entities headquartered in foreign countries. We have the genius, the talent, and the inspiration to craft our own solutions. Best of all, these solutions will be the right ones because they’ll be focused on the unique needs and challenges of our region.

Consider the promise of AI-powered privacy-preserving encryption tools created by homegrown fintech startups. Now picture that stablecoin yields of 4-6% APY were only available on privacy platforms, with access available to anyone with a smartphone. This won’t be an exotic dream someday in the distant future; it’s an affordable, practical reality.

Howard Wu, founder of the prominent privacy-focused blockchain space superpower Oasis Network, made a controversial prediction on July 29, 2025. He foresees the market eventually settling on a fully private stablecoins. That’s not only a prediction, it’s an unfortunate reality, and it’s a call to action. That’s a sign the time to build really is now.

So, forget USDT! Embrace the future of finance. Demand privacy. Support local innovation. Together, we can create a Southeast Asia where every person can access private, secure, and empowering financial services. We’ve been told that the revolution is coming and that it’s going to be driven by private stablecoins. Let’s make sure we’re leading the charge.