FDUSD – First Digital USD (Issued by First Digital Labs)
1. Overview
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Stablecoin: FDUSD
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Issuer: First Digital Labs (FD121 Limited), part of the First Digital Group (Hong Kong)
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Launch: June 2023
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Type: Fiat-backed, centralized, redeemable 1:1 with USD
2. Use Case
FDUSD is designed for:
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Cross-border payments and institutional settlement
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Stable on/off-ramps for crypto exchanges and platforms
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Trading pairs and liquidity provisioning on platforms like Binance
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Integration into DeFi protocols across multiple ecosystems
3. Compliance Team & Governance
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CEO: Vincent Chok
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COO: Gunnar Jærv
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Custodian: First Digital Trust Limited, licensed trust company in Hong Kong
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Audits: Monthly attestations by Prescient Assurance LLC
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Regulatory clarity expected through Hong Kong’s upcoming stablecoin regime
4. Customer Feedback & Reputation
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No presence on Trustpilot
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Binance confirmed liquidity and reserves following a temporary depeg in April 2025
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ChainArgos and independent researchers label FDUSD’s reserve setup “adequate but non-transparent” in terms of custodian visibility
5. CU Background Check
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FDUSD’s reserves include short-term U.S. Treasury bills, cash deposits, and overnight fixed deposits
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Latest attestation (May 2025): $2.55 B assets backing $2.54 B FDUSD in circulation
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S&P Global reportedly rates its reserve setup “adequate” due to limited detail on custodians
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During April 2025, a temporary depeg to ~$0.87 was resolved within 48h
6. Crypto-Economics
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Minting: Users deposit USD via institutional accounts → FDUSD is minted
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Redemption: Institutional redemption at 1:1; retail redemptions are indirect (via exchanges)
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~1.5 B FDUSD in circulation, 24h volume ~$4–6 B (CoinGecko)
7. Backing & Value Stability
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Fully backed by USD instruments:
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U.S. Treasury bills
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Cash at licensed banks
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Overnight fixed deposits
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Reserves held in segregated accounts, legally protected from bankruptcy claims
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Monthly attestations show a 100.5% reserve ratio (latest report)
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Key limitation: no detailed public disclosure of custodial bank names or asset duration
8. Final CyberFinance Compliance Rating
Category | Rating | Notes |
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Authorization | 🟠 ORANGE | Awaiting full regulation via HKMA; offshore structure limits global clarity |
Transparency | 🟢 GREEN | Monthly attestation, clear reserve categories |
Client Feedback | 🟠 ORANGE | Binance supported peg; limited direct user feedback |
Financial Soundness | 🟢 GREEN | 100%+ backing, low-risk assets, no leverage |
🟠 Final Rating: ORANGE SIGNAL
FDUSD shows strong fundamentals, reserve management, and a growing footprint on exchanges. Its biggest challenge remains the lack of full regulatory oversight until the Hong Kong regime goes live, and limited consumer transparency compared to players like USDC.
📌 Ratex42 Summary
FDUSD is a robust fiat-backed stablecoin with audited reserves, institutional focus, and growing use in Asia. However, the jurisdictional status and retail transparency leave it just short of a Green Signal.