ZUSD Stablecoin Debuts on Horizen EON: A Major Push Toward Regulated On-Chain Dollar Solutions

A strategic partnership between Horizen Labs and Stably marks a turning point in bringing compliant stablecoins to mainstream blockchain infrastructure. The two organizations have jointly launched ZUSD (Zen USD), representing the first natively-issued US Dollar stablecoin deployed directly on the Horizen EON network—a development that signals growing momentum around regulated digital currency solutions.

The Product: Full Collateralization Meets Regulatory Compliance

At its core, ZUSD operates as a fully-backed US Dollar stablecoin, where every token maintains a strict 1-to-1 peg with USD or USDC. Users who complete Stably’s KYC verification can mint and redeem ZUSD at parity, with all collateral held in liquid USD assets by an independent trustee. This structure isn’t arbitrary—it reflects compliance with FinCEN’s guidelines for convertible virtual currencies, incorporating BSA/AML safeguards and OFAC screening protocols.

The regulatory foundation matters here. Rather than operating in a gray zone, ZUSD is issued through Stably’s Wyoming-registered money services subsidiary, positioning it within the US regulatory framework. To maintain transparency, independent attestors will periodically verify that all circulating ZUSD tokens are backed 1-to-1 by collateral reserves.

Why Horizen EON? Technical Architecture Meets Developer Experience

The choice of Horizen EON as the launch platform isn’t coincidental. The network is built as a fully EVM-compatible smart contracting platform—meaning developers can leverage existing Ethereum tools and infrastructure without friction. This compatibility drastically reduced deployment time; Stably brought ZUSD to production in roughly two months, a timeline that reflects Horizen EON’s developer-first infrastructure.

Beyond compatibility, Horizen EON addresses persistent blockchain pain points. The platform was engineered with scalability in mind, preventing network congestion as transaction volumes climb. It also sidesteps centralization risks that plague other chains, while offering superior tooling for builders. These characteristics—combined with Horizen’s horizontally scaling protocol architecture (Zendoo)—create an environment where both infrastructure and user experience can mature simultaneously.

Rob Viglione, Co-founder of Horizen and CEO of Horizen Labs, frames the collaboration as foundational: “This partnership represents progress toward a more seamless and interconnected blockchain ecosystem. Integrating Stably’s stablecoin infrastructure with Horizen EON strengthens the entire digital asset landscape while advancing compliance standards.”

The On-Ramp Solution: How Users Access ZUSD

Practically speaking, global users can now acquire ZUSD through Stably Ramp—a widget supporting multiple fiat and crypto entry points. The system accepts ACH transfers, Fedwire, Visa, Mastercard, and major stablecoins including USDC. For developers, Stably Ramp integrates seamlessly with Web3 wallets and DeFi protocols, reducing friction for institutional and retail participants alike.

The accessibility piece matters. Users across 170+ countries and regions gain access to compliant stablecoin infrastructure, with competitive rate structures making digital asset transactions more economical.

Broader Ecosystem Implications

The partnership underscores a shift in how blockchain platforms and fintech firms approach stablecoin infrastructure. Rather than isolated development, Horizen EON and Stably are demonstrating that regulatory compliance, technical soundness, and developer usability aren’t mutually exclusive.

Kory Hoang, Co-founder and CEO of Stably, notes the relationship’s longevity: “We’ve been discussing stablecoin collaboration since 2018. Finally making it reality reflects shared commitment between Stably and Horizen’s team to build infrastructure that serves both the community and institutional needs.”

For the broader Web3 economy, the launch signals that compliant dollar stablecoins are becoming table stakes across blockchain platforms. Horizen EON’s positioning as a developer-friendly, scalable EVM-compatible network—combined with Stably’s regulatory track record—suggests other projects may follow this template for bringing regulated digital currencies to market.