Stablecoins are now as reliable as dollar deposits in banks, and in many ways even surpass them—both in digital and cash formats. However, the optimal strategy for preserving capital is not to choose one option, but to wisely diversify funds across different instruments.

The digital asset market in 2025 demonstrates maturity, and stablecoins have finally ceased to be exotic for conservative investors. Today, their reliability is comparable to traditional bank currency instruments, and in some aspects, even surpasses them. There are currently no issues with cash dollars in Russia: the temporary difficulties previously observed have been fully resolved. Nevertheless, relying on a single storage format is risky.

Three pillars of the dollar strategy

To minimize risks, I recommend distributing dollar savings across three areas:

  • Stablecoins. A portion of funds should be in non-custodial stablecoins—this eliminates the risk of asset freezes by the issuer or exchange.
  • Bank deposits. A classic tool for those who value predictability and insurance.
  • Cash dollars. A liquid reserve for emergencies.

Such diversification allows offsetting the drawbacks of each method: banks' vulnerability to sanctions pressure, technical risks of stablecoins, and inflationary wear of cash.

The main threat to stablecoins is not sanctions, but IT security

The common belief that the primary risk for stablecoins is sanctions-related freezes is not entirely accurate. In practice, the hierarchy of threats looks different:

  • In first place—information security risks. Attacks on centralized exchanges and hacks of users' personal devices remain the most common cause of fund loss.
  • In second place—freezes and uncertainty of legal regulation in Russia. Tightening legislation could significantly limit the ability to use stablecoins.

Thus, the key skill for a stablecoin holder is not legal literacy, but digital hygiene: hardware wallets, strong passwords, and cold storage.

My conclusion: In 2026, stablecoins will become not an alternative, but a mandatory component of the Russian investor's dollar portfolio. But only under the condition of competent management of IT risks. Without this, even the most reliable asset turns into a target for hackers.