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View ChartSteem Dollars (SBD) is an algorithmic stablecoin intended to track the US dollar, operating within the Steem blockchain ecosystem to reward content creators and facilitate social media transactions. It is a key component of the Steem platform, which rewards users for creating and curating content. Unlike traditional stablecoins backed by fiat reserves, SBD relies on the Steem ecosystem's market dynamics and its Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism to stabilize its price.
Key Takeaways:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name (Ticker) | Steem Dollars (SBD) |
| Alternative Names | Steem Backed Dollars |
| Consensus Mechanism | Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) |
| Smart Contracts | Not documented in the sources reviewed; SBD functions are built into the Steem protocol rather than deployed as contracts. |
| Category | Algorithmic Stablecoin / SocialFi |
| Hash Algorithm | N/A (uses DPoS) |
| Block Reward | Varies (distributed to content creators and witnesses) |
| Max Supply | Unlimited (minted and burned based on demand) |
| Total Supply | Approximately 9.8M SBD |
| Circulating Supply | Approximately 9.8M SBD (100% of total supply) |
| TPS | High — Steem's DPoS/Graphene design is built for fast, low-cost transactions suitable for social media activity and micropayments. |
| Scaling Solution | DPoS with high throughput |
| Blockchain | Steem |
Steem Dollars is issued by the Steem blockchain, a decentralised social media platform launched in 2016 by Steemit Inc., which was co-founded by Ned Scott and Dan Larimer. Steem Dollars launched in July 2016 (start date 18 July 2016), with the first content payouts made on 4 July 2016. Dan Larimer is a well-known figure in the crypto space, having also contributed to the development of BitShares and EOS. The project was launched as part of the Steem ecosystem to provide a stable medium of exchange for rewarding content creators and curators on the Steem social media platform. The development is now managed by the Steem community and its decentralized governance structure, with no single entity controlling the protocol. The team aimed to create a stablecoin that could seamlessly integrate with the platform's reward system, allowing users to earn a predictable value for their contributions.
Steem Dollars operates through a unique algorithmic mechanism on the Steem blockchain. SBD is created mainly through content rewards, and the STEEM/SBD conversion rate is adjusted through premiums or discounts. Per the Steem whitepaper, these adjustments are meant to be a slow, measured response to long-term average deviations rather than a reaction to short-term market moves. The DPoS consensus mechanism ensures fast transaction confirmations, with witnesses (block producers) validating transactions and maintaining the network's integrity. Steem runs on the Graphene blockchain architecture, where elected witnesses (block producers) validate transactions instead of miners, which keeps energy use low and confirmation times short. New SBD enters circulation mainly through content rewards: authors are paid in a mix of STEEM Power (SP) and SBD and choose the split, with at least 50% in Steem Power. The system also relies on the Steem Power (SP) concept, where users can lock up their STEEM tokens to gain voting power and influence over the platform's governance.
Steem Dollars stands out as an algorithmic stablecoin deeply integrated into a social media ecosystem. Unlike fiat-backed stablecoins like USDC or USDT, SBD is not backed by physical dollars but by the value and activity of the Steem blockchain. This makes it a unique experiment in decentralized finance (DeFi) and SocialFi, where the token's stability is maintained through community-driven incentives and market forces. Its value lies in its utility within the Steem platform, where it is intended to provide a more predictable payout value for content creators. Additionally, SBD offers fast and low-cost transactions, making it suitable for micropayments and peer-to-peer transfers. Unlike fiat-backed stablecoins such as USDC or USDT, SBD is not backed by physical dollar reserves; its value depends on the activity and market of the Steem blockchain.
SBD's peg is not guaranteed. Cryptocurrency prices, including SBD, can be highly volatile, the token is not backed by fiat reserves, and its value depends on activity within the Steem ecosystem. This article is for information only and is not investment advice.
Steem Dollars is primarily used as a reward token on the Steem social media platform. Content creators earn SBD for their posts and comments, which can then be used for various purposes within the ecosystem. Users can also trade SBD on cryptocurrency exchanges for other digital assets or fiat currency. Additionally, SBD can be used for peer-to-peer transactions, allowing users to send value quickly and cheaply across the network. Some users may also hold SBD as a store of value, given its algorithmic peg to the US dollar. Governance influence on Steem comes from Steem Power (SP): users lock up STEEM to gain voting power over platform governance and witness elections. SBD itself is a reward and payment token, not a governance token. Authors receive their payouts in a mix of STEEM Power (SP) and SBD, and can choose the proportion of each, with 50% in Steem Power as the minimum.
SBD trades on a limited number of venues — public sources list roughly 6 to 8 active markets — so liquidity can be thin relative to larger stablecoins. Before depositing funds, check that a venue supports spot trading and verify its regulatory status and fees.
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Thank you for your interest in BTCC. Currently, spot and futures trading services for SBD are not supported. As a leading digital asset platform, BTCC is committed to providing a secure and stable trading environment. We recommend completing your account registration and identity verification (KYC) to explore other premium assets and exclusive benefits available on BTCC.
As of right now, the live price of Steem Dollars (SBD) is C$0.685884. Its market price fluctuates in real time based on overall supply and demand, and you can check the updated SBD to USD rate at the top of BTCC’s price page. In terms of market scope, Steem Dollars records a 24h trading volume of C$1.113952M (reflecting total buying and selling activity over the last 24 hours), with a total market cap of C$6.706326M. Its current circulating supply stands at 9.8M out of a maximum supply cap of ∞.
The price volatility of Steem Dollars (SBD) is essentially driven by market supply and demand dynamics. Key factors behind its price movements include: 1) Global macroeconomic conditions and sentiment, such as Bank of Canada or US Fed interest rate decisions; 2) Tokenomics, including the ratio of circulating supply (9.8M) to max supply (∞), as well as token unlocks and burn mechanisms; 3) Fundamental developments, such as ecosystem expansion, on-chain activity, and core protocol upgrades; and 4) Derivatives market dynamics, including leverage battles and liquidation cascades in perpetual contracts.
Looking at its historical price performance, Steem Dollars (SBD) hit an all-time high (ATH) of C$31.28885 on 2017-05-17 20:25, representing the peak of market sentiment. Conversely, its all-time low (ATL) was recorded at C$0.364546 on 2020-10-23 03:20. Note that historical highs and lows reflect past performance only and do not guarantee future price trends; investment decisions should always align with live market conditions and your personal risk tolerance.
When trading SBD futures on BTCC, technical chart analysis begins with identifying key support and resistance levels on 1D and 4H charts using historical price pivots. Next, apply MA/EMA indicators to gauge trend directions, alongside RSI (values above 70 indicate overbought conditions, while below 30 suggest oversold levels). Always validate breakout signals with the 24h trading volume (C$1.113952M), as price breakouts accompanied by strong volume offer higher reliability.
Unlike spot trading where you can only profit from rising prices, BTCC’s SBDUSDT perpetual contracts support two-way trading. If you anticipate a price decline for Steem Dollars, simply log into your BTCC account with USDT margin available, navigate to the SBDUSDT pair, set your desired leverage and Take-Profit/Stop-Loss levels, and click "Sell/Short". Once the price drops to your target, close your position to lock in profit from the price difference.
Yes. BTCC offers flexible, high-tier leverage options for SBDUSDT perpetual futures, providing up to 500x leverage (maximum leverage limits may vary depending on liquidity). While leverage boosts capital efficiency by allowing you to control larger position sizes with less margin, it also amplifies liquidation risks proportionately. BTCC strongly advises using Stop-Loss orders to strictly manage risk when trading with high leverage.
Beginners and traders testing new strategies can switch to BTCC's "Demo Trading" mode with a single click on the App or Web interface. The demo account comes pre-loaded with risk-free virtual funds (such as 100,000 USDT). Powered by live market prices (current price: C$0.685884), you can practise opening/closing positions, adjusting leverage, and setting TP/SL for SBDUSDT with zero financial risk.
Trading Steem Dollars (SBD) on BTCC requires just 4 simple steps: 1) Register a BTCC account and complete basic Identity Verification (KYC); 2) Buy USDT using fiat via credit card/express payment, or deposit USDT/BTC directly from an external wallet; 3) Navigate to the Futures section, search for SBDUSDT, and review its live price (C$0.685884) and chart; 4) Select your margin mode and leverage, choose "Buy/Long" or "Sell/Short" based on your market outlook, set TP/SL orders, and confirm your trade.
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