The assessments score stablecoins from 1 to 5 based on factors such as asset quality, liquidity and regulatory status.
By Francisco Rodrigues, AI Boost|Edited by Stephen Alpher
Oct 14, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
- S&P Global Ratings is partnering with Chainlink to bring its stablecoin stability assessments directly to blockchains, allowing DeFi protocols and platforms to access real-time risk evaluations.
- The assessments score stablecoins from 1 to 5 based on factors such as asset quality, liquidity, and regulatory status.
- The integration will initially launch on Base, an Ethereum layer 2 network, and enables DeFi platforms to automatically reference S&P’s risk assessments without manual updates or offchain data feeds.
S&P Global Ratings is bringing its stablecoin stability assessments directly to blockchains through a partnership with decentralized oracle network Chainlink.
The integration allows decentralized finance protocols, smart contracts and financial platforms to access S&P’s risk evaluations of stablecoins in real time., according to a press release shared with CoinDesk.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
The assessments score stablecoins from 1 to 5 based on their ability to maintain a stable value relative to fiat currencies.
They factor in asset quality, liquidity, redemption mechanisms, regulatory status and governance. S&P currently evaluates 10 stablecoins, including USDT, USDC and Sky Protocol’s USDS/DAI.
Unlike credit ratings, the assessments are designed to measure operational and structural stability. By placing them onchain, DeFi platforms can reference S&P’s risk assessments automatically, without offchain data feeds or manual updates.
The service uses Chainlink’s DataLink infrastructure, which allows traditional data providers to publish to blockchains without building new systems. The data will initially launch on Base, an Ethereum layer 2 network, with further expansions based on demand.
The move comes as the stablecoin market hit $305 billion in capitalization, up from $130 billion a year earlier, according to data from DeFiLlama.
S&P Global has increased its activity in the crypto space since 2021, launching crypto indices and issuing risk assessments for tokenized funds and DeFi protocols. Its first-ever credit rating to a DeFi protocol was assigned back in August.
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