TUSD is the ticker of TrueUSD, a US dollar stablecoin launched in March 2018 and owned by Techteryx since December 2020. New TUSD is only minted after a Chainlink Proof of Reserve check against its dollar reserves.

TUSD doesn't have to stay in the crypto ecosystem, and outside trading, there are also ways to spend it on something more practical. At Polkastarter, you can shop for physical collectibles, such as rare trading cards, sealed products, and video games. It's a simple way to put TUSD toward something tangible, and new users can also get a free mystery pack when they sign up.

One of the most useful options is travel. CoinBooking lets users book hotels and flights at prices up to 30% below Booking.com. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.

Key Takeaways

• Physical collectibles are available on Polkastarter, such as verified trading cards, sealed products and video games. New users can also claim a free mystery pack.
• CoinBooking supports TUSD for flight and hotel bookings, with prices up to 30% below Booking.com. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.
• Each TUSD is designed to be redeemable 1:1 for US dollars through the TrueUSD app. It runs on Ethereum, TRON, Avalanche and BNB Chain, and Chainlink Proof of Reserve data is checked before new tokens are minted.
• Supported crypto debit cards can bring TUSD into everyday spending. Mastercard-linked cards can be used at millions of merchants wherever the issuer supports both the card and TUSD.
• TUSD can also pay for gift cards, prepaid vouchers, and mobile top-ups from more than 5,000 brands through Coinsbee, as well as give access to early-stage token sales on CoinTerminal.

What Is TrueUSD (TUSD)?

TrueUSD is a fiat-backed stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, with each token backed by dollar reserves held off-chain. It launched in March 2018 and is now live on several public chains, including Ethereum, TRON, Avalanche, BNB Chain and Polygon.

TUSD was created by TrustToken, the San Francisco company later renamed Archblock, co-founded by Rafael Cosman and Danny An. Techteryx acquired TrueUSD in December 2020 and is the issuer today.

TUSD is used for trading, transfers, payments and DeFi, and it trades on exchanges such as Binance, HTX and Gate. There is no published maximum supply, with about 495 million TUSD in circulation and a market capitalisation of around $494 million.

How Does TrueUSD (TUSD) Work?

TrueUSD is a fiat-backed stablecoin, so its value comes from US dollar reserves rather than an algorithm. When a verified user wires dollars to a banking partner, the same amount of TUSD is minted; when tokens are redeemed, they leave circulation and dollars are wired back.

Before any new TUSD is minted, the smart contract checks Chainlink Proof of Reserve data to confirm that supply would not exceed the dollars held in reserve.

Inside that system, TUSD itself works as a digital dollar. Holders use it to trade, move value between chains, settle payments and supply liquidity to DeFi apps.

What I like about TrueUSD is that the reserve check is built into minting itself. New TUSD only gets minted when the Chainlink Proof of Reserve data shows enough dollars behind it. If you hold TUSD, you've got a digital dollar you can trade, move between chains or put into DeFi apps.

1. Buy Physical Collectibles With TUSD on Polkastarter

Polkastarter lets users access authenticated physical collectibles, such as trading cards, sealed products, video games, and other items. Ownership is recorded on-chain, and the physical items stay in professional custody.

Depending on the platform's available options, you can request delivery of your items or sell them on the marketplace. TUSD isn't currently supported directly at checkout, so users must first swap it for a supported cryptocurrency.

After your account is funded, you can browse the available collectibles and Lootboxes, with the contents, value, and odds shown before you purchase. New users can get a free mystery pack after they sign up.

Visit the Polkastarter marketplace for the current inventory and supported payment options.

Polkastarter is a good fit if you're into trading cards, sealed products or video games. You pay for the item in crypto, it stays in professional custody, and you choose later whether to have it shipped or list it back on the marketplace. Just convert your TUSD into a supported cryptocurrency first.

2. Book Hotels and Flights With TUSD on CoinBooking

Your TUSD can do more than sit in your wallet. CoinBooking lets you book hotels and flights at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com, accepting TUSD alongside 200+ other cryptocurrencies. As a leading Dubai-licensed travel broker, CoinBooking offers TUSD holders access to more than 2 million hotels and flights across 190+ countries.

TUSD can be spent directly on your booking, so there's no need to convert it to fiat first. CoinBooking also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, giving travellers several payment options.

For frequent travellers, those savings can add up quickly. First-time users can also get $25 off their first booking.

What I like about CoinBooking is that you don't need to cash out beforehand. If a trip is on your schedule, you pay for the hotel or flight with your TUSD at checkout, and it can cost you up to 30% less than on Booking.com.

3. Use TUSD Across the TrueUSD Ecosystem

TUSD is at its most useful as a dollar that moves on-chain. Verified users can mint it by wiring US dollars through the TrueUSD app and redeem it by sending tokens to a unique redemption address, with no fees charged for minting or redemption. Minted TUSD reaches the wallet address given in the app within one business day after the funds arrive.

Because TUSD is issued on several public chains, including Ethereum, TRON, Avalanche and BNB Chain, holders can use it for trading pairs, DeFi liquidity, payments and remittances on the network they already use.

TUSD also has official status in one country. On October 7, 2022, the Commonwealth of Dominica granted it statutory status as an authorised digital currency and medium of exchange.

This makes sense, because minting and redeeming is where TUSD does the most for you. If you've got US dollars in a bank account, you can wire them through the TrueUSD app and get TUSD on the chain you actually use. And when you want dollars back, you just send the tokens to your redemption address.

4. Spend TUSD With a Crypto Card

TUSD can also be put toward everyday spending with crypto payment cards. Depending on the provider, these cards can be used for online and in-store purchases wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, as well as mobile payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

RedotPay is offered across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, though not to US residents. KAST provides both virtual and physical cards, and Ether.fi pairs self-custody with cashback on eligible purchases.

To begin, pick a provider available in your region, fund your account with TUSD, and order a card. Check each provider's fees, features, and availability before signing up.

What stands out to me about crypto cards is how little changes for you in practice. You still pay by card online or with Apple Pay and Google Pay on your phone, but the money now comes from your TUSD. Choose a provider that's offered where you live, because the options differ by region.

5. Buy Gift Cards and Everyday Products With TUSD on Coinsbee

Coinsbee opens up everyday spending for TUSD. It supports over 200 cryptocurrencies and offers gift cards, prepaid products, and mobile top-ups from more than 5,000 brands across 185+ countries.

You can spend it in categories such as shopping, groceries, gaming, travel, food delivery, and entertainment. Choose the brand and amount you need, select TUSD at checkout, and complete the payment. After it's confirmed, your digital code is sent through Coinsbee's delivery process.

Ranges vary from one country to the next, so it's worth checking the catalogue for your region first.

Coinsbee is a good fit if you'd like your TUSD to cover everyday things. You choose a gift card for groceries, gaming or food delivery, select TUSD at checkout, and receive a digital code once the payment is confirmed. Take a look at the catalogue for your country first, because it isn't identical everywhere.

6. Access Early-Stage Token Sales Through CoinTerminal

TUSD holders can also use CoinTerminal to join early-stage token sales before projects reach exchanges. Contributions start from $100, and there is no staking requirement to participate.

TUSD isn't accepted directly, so you'll need to swap it into the asset required for the sale, usually USDT. CoinTerminal also lets participants request refunds during the refund window set for each sale.

Visit CoinTerminal for the launches that are currently available and their individual terms.

What stands out to me about CoinTerminal is that you get in before projects hit exchanges. There's no staking requirement, contributions begin at $100, and a refund window comes with each launch. Check the terms of the sale you choose, because every one sets its own.

Sources

• Binance Academy, What Is Polkastarter (POLS)?
• Revolut, Polkastarter (POLS) Price Today
• CoinMarketCap, Polkastarter trade volume and market listings
• TrueUSD, TrueUSD official website with minting, redemption and TUSD ecosystem overview
• CoinMarketCap, TrueUSD (TUSD) price, market cap and live token data

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is TrueUSD?

TrueUSD (TUSD) is a US dollar stablecoin designed to hold a 1:1 peg. TrustToken launched it in March 2018 and Techteryx acquired it in December 2020. It runs on chains including Ethereum, TRON, Avalanche and BNB Chain and is used for trading, transfers, payments and DeFi, with a Chainlink Proof of Reserve check before new tokens are minted.

2. Can I book hotels and flights with TUSD?

Yes. Through CoinBooking, a Dubai-licensed crypto travel platform, TUSD holders can book from more than 2 million hotels and flights across 190+ countries at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. You can pay directly with TUSD, and Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are accepted too. New users get $25 off their first booking.

3. Is TUSD backed by US dollars?

Yes. Each TUSD is designed to be backed 1:1 by US dollar reserves, and minting is checked against Chainlink Proof of Reserve data. In 2025, about $456 million of reserves became illiquid after being moved into investment structures, a dispute Techteryx is pursuing in court. In May 2026, TrueUSD announced it had raised its reserve ratio within the United States to 100%.

4. Is TUSD the same as USDT?

No. Both are stablecoins pegged to the US dollar, but they are separate tokens from different issuers: TUSD is issued by Techteryx, while USDT is issued by Tether. TUSD is far smaller, with about 495 million tokens in circulation, and it checks Chainlink Proof of Reserve data before new tokens are minted.

5. How does TUSD compare to other stablecoins?

Like most major dollar stablecoins, TUSD is backed by fiat reserves and can be minted and redeemed 1:1 for US dollars. It was the first USD-backed stablecoin to secure minting with Chainlink Proof of Reserve. With a market capitalisation of about $494 million, it ranks around #92 on CoinMarketCap, well behind the largest dollar stablecoins.