DAIvsUSDG
Dai vs Global Dollar — side-by-side comparison of supply, chains, backing, and peg data.
Side-by-side
DAI — Dai
USDG — Global Dollar
30-day peg stability dotted line = target · both charts share one scale
What the last 30 days show
Over the last 30 days DAI supply moved -1.6% and USDG +17.6% — USDG grew faster. DAI held the tighter band: worst deviation 4 bps against 33 bps.
Key differences
- DAI is roughly 1.4× larger than USDG by USD circulation value ($4.79B vs $3.42B).
- DAI ranks #4 while USDG ranks #7 among all tracked stablecoins.
- Both are pegged to the same currency (USD), so they compete directly for the same use cases.
- DAI is a crypto-backed stablecoin; USDG is fiat-backed. Different mechanism, different failure modes.
- Reserves differ — DAI holds overcollateralized crypto cdp, USDG holds cash reserves (paxos).
- DAI is deployed on 49 chains — much broader coverage than USDG's 6.
- Primary chain differs — most DAI supply lives on Ethereum, while most USDG supply is on X Layer.
Full comparison table
| Metric | DAI | USDG |
|---|---|---|
| USD circulation value | $4.79B | $3.42B |
| Rank (by USD value) | #4 | #7 |
| Peg | USD | USD |
| Mechanism | crypto-backed | fiat-backed |
| Backing | Overcollateralized crypto CDP | Cash reserves (Paxos) |
| Chains deployed | 49 | 6 |
| Primary chain | Ethereum | X Layer |
| Issuer | Sky (formerly MakerDAO) | Paxos Trust Company |
| CoinGecko | View → | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between DAI and USDG?
Both track USD, so they compete for the same use cases. DAI holds overcollateralized crypto cdp; USDG holds cash reserves (paxos). DAI ranks #4 by USD value and USDG ranks #7.
Which is bigger, DAI or USDG?
DAI is larger, with $4.79B in circulation vs $3.42B for USDG. That's roughly 1.4× the size.
Is DAI safer than USDG?
Neither is inherently safer. Safety turns on reserve composition, issuer transparency, redemption rights and regulatory oversight — none of which this page audits. DAI uses a crypto-backed model; USDG uses a fiat-backed one. Read each issuer's most recent reserve attestation before choosing.
Can I convert between DAI and USDG?
Yes. DAI and USDG both trade on major centralized and decentralized exchanges. Since both track USD, the exchange rate is typically very close to 1:1. Direct swap protocols on Ethereum, Solana, and other chains offer the tightest spreads.
Should I choose DAI or USDG?
The right choice depends on your use case. Consider: which chain do you need? DAI is available on 49 chains and USDG on 6. What backing do you prefer? What's your integration surface (exchanges, DeFi protocols, payment providers)? Both have deep liquidity, so market cap alone shouldn't decide it.