This page will explain the issue
Why do we recommend using stablecoins for payments? What are the benefits of paying with stablecoins?
What is cryptocurrency? What is stablecoin?
Are USDT and USDC legal in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?
I don't have USDT or USDC at the moment. I want to use them for trading. How should I start?
Why is there a handling fee of less than 1 US dollar when paying with stablecoins?
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Why do we recommend using stablecoins for payments? What are the benefits of paying with stablecoins?
Since okkrep.com is a website selling 1:1 products, banks do not allow us to receive payments directly. Therefore, if you use traditional payment methods such as credit cards or apple pay, you need to redirect to other websites for payment. Cryptocurrencies, due to their more lenient regulatory methods, allow you to make payments directly on websites, which is more convenient.
Moreover, since banks do not allow the purchase or sale of 1:1 products, using traditional methods would be more risky, while using cryptocurrencies would be safer.
For traditional payment methods, banks charge at least a 3% handling fee. However, when using cryptocurrencies for payment, the handling fee will be lower. It can help you save a lot of money.
What is cryptocurrency? What is stablecoin?
(The following answers are all from Google's AI tool Gemini)
Cryptocurrency is a decentralized form of digital money that exists only electronically and operates independently of any central authority like a government or bank. Instead of physical cash, it uses cryptography (advanced software code) to secure transactions and record them on a permanent, public ledger known as a blockchain.
Stablecoins are a specific type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a steady value by being "pegged" to an external asset, most commonly a traditional currency like the U.S. Dollar. Unlike highly volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which can see massive price swings, a successful stablecoin pegged to the dollar is intended to always be worth exactly $1.
Key Characteristics
- Decentralization: Most cryptocurrencies are not issued by a government but are managed by a distributed network of computers that verify transactions.
- Blockchain Technology: Transactions are grouped into "blocks" and timestamped, creating a tamper-proof record shared across the network.
- Supply Dynamics: The supply of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is often limited by a mathematical algorithm, creating scarcity.
- Asset Backing (Stablecoins): Stablecoins maintain their value by holding reserves of the asset they are pegged to (e.g., holding $10 billion in a bank to back 10 billion stablecoin tokens).
Types of Stablecoins
- Fiat-backed: The most common type, backed 1:1 by traditional government-issued currency like USD or Euro. Major examples include Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).
- Commodity-backed: Pegged to physical assets such as gold or oil.
- Crypto-backed: Collateralized by other cryptocurrencies. These often use "overcollateralization" (e.g., $150 of Ethereum backing $100 of stablecoin) to protect against price drops.
- Algorithmic: Do not use reserve assets; instead, they use computer algorithms to automatically adjust the coin's supply to keep the price stable.
Current Status and Regulation (2026)
As of January 2026, the stablecoin market has reached a valuation of approximately $300 billion. In the United States, the recently passed GENIUS Act has established the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins, requiring issuers to maintain 1:1 reserves in high-quality liquid assets like U.S. Treasuries.
Are USDT and USDC legal in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?
(The following answers are all from Google's AI tool Gemini)
As of January 2026, USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin) are legal to hold and trade in all the requested regions. However, new regulatory frameworks—specifically the GENIUS Act (USA) and MiCA (EU)—have created a "compliance gap" where USDC is widely authorized, while USDT faces significant restrictions in regulated markets.
Legal & Compliance Status (2026)
|
Region |
Legal to Hold? |
Status for USDT |
Status for USDC |
|
Yes |
Classified as "foreign issuer"; restricted for retail on some platforms. |
Compliant; regulated under the GENIUS Act. |
|
|
EU Countries |
Yes |
Non-compliant with MiCA; delisted or "sell-only" on major EU exchanges. |
Fully Compliant; first major stablecoin to receive an EU e-money license. |
|
Yes |
Legal but subject to strict FCA promotion and AML rules. |
Legal; FCA framework for stablecoins expected by late 2026. |
|
|
Yes |
Under review; new Stablecoin Act (2026) mandates 1:1 local reserves. |
Active; widely available on registered Canadian exchanges. |
|
|
Yes |
Classified as a "financial product"; requires an AFSL license by June 2026. |
Active; compliant with ASIC licensing requirements. |
|
|
Yes |
Legal to hold as "property"; tax reporting rules start April 2026. |
Legal; treated as a financial service if offered by local brokers. |
I don't have USDT or USDC at the moment. I want to use them for trading. How should I start?
(The following answers are all from Google's AI tool Gemini)
To start trading with USDT (Tether) or USDC (USD Coin) in 2026, the most straightforward method is to use a Centralized Exchange (CEX). These platforms act as "on-ramps," allowing you to convert traditional money (fiat) from your bank account into stablecoins.
Steps to Start Trading
- Choose a Regulated ExchangeSelect a platform that operates in your region. Top options include:
- Coinbase: Best for beginners due to its simple interface and educational tools.
- Kraken: Best for low fees due to its competitive trading costs and high security.
- Gemini: Best for regulation due to its focus on security and full regulation.
- Account Setup & Verification (KYC)Sign up with your email and complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. You typically need to provide:
- Full name and date of birth.
- Government-issued photo ID (Passport or Driver's License).
- Proof of residence (utility bill or bank statement).
- Deposit FundsLink a payment method to fund your account. Common options include:
- Bank Transfer (ACH/SEPA/SWIFT): Ideal for larger amounts; usually the lowest fee.
- Debit/Credit Card: Fastest for instant purchases but often carries higher fees.
- Digital Wallets: Many platforms now support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal.
- Purchase USDT or USDCGo to the "Buy Crypto" or "Spot Market" section. Search for the USDC/USD or USDT/USD pair. Enter the amount you wish to spend and confirm the transaction.
- Start TradingOnce the stablecoins are in your exchange wallet, you can use them to trade for other assets like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) by selecting the relevant trading pair (e.g., BTC/USDT).
Important Tips
- Security: Always enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using an app like Google Authenticator rather than SMS.
- Storage: For long-term holding, transfer your assets from the exchange to a private "non-custodial" wallet like MetaMask or a hardware device like Ledger.
- Taxes: Starting in 2026, U.S. brokers are required to report cost-basis information to the IRS on Form 1099-DA. Keep track of your trades for accurate reporting.
Why is there a handling fee of less than 1 US dollar when paying with stablecoins?
Firstly, this handling fee is a random number less than 1 US dollar. When making payments with stablecoins, buyers need to actively pay to our payment address. The website's program is unable to identify whether the payment has been successful. So we will add a random number less than one US dollar to the order amount. Make this payment amount unique. When our account receives this amount, we can identify which buyer made the payment.
When you make a transfer using usdt or usdc, you need to enter the exact order amount; otherwise, the system will not be able to recognize whether the order has been paid for.