How to Use Usual Protocol: USD0 and USD0++ Tutorial (2026)

— By Tony Rabbit in Tutorials

How to Use Usual Protocol: USD0 and USD0++ Tutorial (2026)

A clear 2026 walkthrough of Usual Protocol: how to mint the USD0 stablecoin, stake it into USD0++ (bUSD0) for USUAL rewards, exit positions, and check the tokens on DEXTools first.

Quick Answer

To use Usual Protocol, mint USD0 by depositing eligible collateral like USDC or RWA-backed assets in the app's Swap/Mint section. USD0 is a stablecoin backed 1:1 by short-term real-world assets. Stake USD0 into USD0++ (also called bUSD0) to earn daily USUAL token rewards, representing protocol-generated value routed back to participants.

Usual Protocol is a DeFi issuer built around USD0, a stablecoin backed 1:1 by short-term real-world assets such as US Treasury bills. Instead of keeping yield with a centralized issuer, Usual routes protocol-generated value back to participants through its USUAL governance token. This guide explains how to use Usual Protocol step by step: minting USD0, staking it into USD0++ (also called bUSD0) to earn USUAL, exiting your position, and verifying every token on DEXTools before you interact.

Quick answer

  • Mint USD0 by depositing eligible collateral (such as USDC or supported RWA-backed assets) in the app's Swap/Mint section. USD0 is a liquid deposit token backed 1:1 by short-term real-world assets.
  • Stake USD0 into USD0++ (bUSD0) to earn daily rewards in the USUAL token. USD0++ represents a 4-year commitment but stays liquid on the secondary market.
  • Exit by selling USD0++ at its current market price, using the early redemption floor-price mechanism, or converting 1 USD0++ back to 1 USD0 by providing some USUAL, which is burned.
In this guide

What is Usual Protocol and USD0?

Usual is a stablecoin protocol that issues USD0, a liquid deposit token backed 1:1 by short-term real-world assets (RWAs) like US Treasury bills. The model is straightforward: deposits sit in low-risk, yield-bearing collateral, and the protocol redistributes the resulting value to participants rather than retaining it. USD0 itself is designed to hold a stable value, while the yield component is separated out and accessed through staking and the USUAL governance token.

There are three tokens you need to understand before using the app. USD0 is the base stablecoin. USD0++ (now also branded bUSD0) is a liquid staking token minted 1:1 from USD0, carrying a 4-year commitment in exchange for daily USUAL rewards. USUAL is the governance and value-sharing token that captures part of the protocol's revenue. Knowing how these three relate is the foundation for everything else in this tutorial.

RWA backing
USD0 is backed 1:1 by short-term real-world assets such as Treasury bills, not by crypto leverage alone.
Liquid staking
USD0++ is liquid: even with a 4-year commitment, you can trade it on secondary markets at the current price.
Value sharing
Protocol-generated value is redistributed to participants through USUAL rewards and governance.
Networks
Available on Ethereum and supported chains. Always confirm you are on the right network in the app.
Diagram of Usual Protocol showing USD0 stablecoin backed by treasury bills and staking into USD0++
USD0 is the stable base; USD0++ adds a staking commitment that earns USUAL.

Prepare your wallet and verify the tokens

Before depositing anything, set up the basics. You will need a self-custody wallet such as MetaMask connected to Ethereum or another supported chain, a small amount of native gas (ETH on Ethereum), and the eligible collateral you plan to deposit, for example USDC. Treat the preparation step as part of your risk management, not a formality.

The most important habit is verification. Stablecoin tickers are widely copied, and fake "USD0" or "USUAL" tokens appear on DEX listings. Use DEXTools to confirm the official USD0, USD0++ and USUAL contract addresses and the correct chain before you ever sign a transaction. Cross-check the address shown in the Usual app against the verified contract on DEXTools, and confirm liquidity and listing details look legitimate.

  1. Open your wallet and connect to Ethereum or a supported chain.
  2. Fund the wallet with native gas and your chosen collateral (such as USDC).
  3. Look up USD0, USD0++ and USUAL on DEXTools and copy the verified contract addresses.
  4. Open the official Usual app and confirm the contracts in the app match what you saw on DEXTools.
  5. Only then connect your wallet to the app and proceed to mint.

How to mint USD0 step by step

Minting is how new USD0 enters circulation. In the app's Swap or Mint section you deposit eligible collateral and receive USD0 backed 1:1 by the underlying real-world assets. Because USD0 is a liquid deposit token, you can hold it, use it in DeFi, or move straight to staking once minted.

  1. Connect your wallet to the official Usual app and confirm you are on the correct network.
  2. Go to the Swap or Mint section. The app typically shows the input collateral and the USD0 you will receive.
  3. Select your collateral asset (for example USDC or a supported RWA-backed asset) and enter the amount.
  4. Approve the token spend if prompted. This first signature only grants the contract permission to use that asset.
  5. Review the expected USD0 output, then confirm the mint transaction in your wallet and pay gas.
  6. Once the transaction confirms, USD0 appears in your wallet. Verify the balance and the contract address again if you want extra assurance.

After minting, you can stop here and simply hold USD0 as a stable asset, or continue to staking to start earning USUAL. The decision depends on whether you want exposure to the yield mechanism and are comfortable with the 4-year commitment that staking introduces.

How to stake USD0 into USD0++ for USUAL rewards

Staking converts USD0 into USD0++ (bUSD0), a liquid staking token minted 1:1 with the USD0 you stake. Holding USD0++ unlocks the protocol's yield mechanisms and earns daily rewards in the USUAL governance token. The trade-off is the 4-year commitment baked into USD0++: par 1:1 redemption back to USD0 is not always instant, although the token remains liquid on the secondary market.

  1. From the staking section, choose to mint USD0++ from your USD0 balance.
  2. Enter the amount of USD0 to stake. The app typically shows you will receive an equal amount of USD0++.
  3. Approve the USD0 spend if prompted, then confirm the staking transaction and pay gas.
  4. USD0++ appears in your wallet. From this point, daily USUAL rewards begin to accrue based on your staked balance.
  5. Check the dashboard periodically to track accrued USUAL and claim rewards when available.

You do not have to mint USD0++ from USD0 yourself. Because USD0++ is liquid, you can also buy it directly on the secondary market. Just remember that the market price can sit slightly above or below par depending on supply, demand, and how the market prices the 4-year commitment. Whichever route you choose, confirm the USD0++ contract on DEXTools before trading.

Usual Protocol staking flow converting USD0 into USD0++ and earning USUAL token rewards
Staking USD0 mints USD0++ 1:1 and starts daily USUAL rewards.

Exit options: secondary market and early redemption

Exiting a USD0++ position is where most users need to plan ahead, because the 4-year commitment means par redemption is not always immediate. Usual provides a few distinct paths, each with different trade-offs in speed and price.

Secondary market
Sell USD0++ at the current market price at any time. Fast, but the price may be above or below par.
Early redemption floor
An early redemption mechanism with a floor price lets you exit before the 4-year horizon, typically below full par.
USUAL-burn conversion
Convert 1 USD0++ back to 1 USD0 by providing some USUAL, which is burned, reducing total USUAL supply.

The secondary market is the simplest path: trade USD0++ like any other liquid token. The early redemption mechanism gives a guaranteed exit but at a floor price that can be below par, which is the cost of leaving early. The third option lets you reclaim par by spending USUAL: you convert 1 USD0++ into 1 USD0, and the USUAL you contribute is burned. Burning USUAL reduces its circulating supply, which is part of how the system balances incentives. Pick the path that matches your priorities around speed, price, and whether you hold spare USUAL.

The USUAL token explained

USUAL is the protocol's governance and value-sharing token. It serves two main roles. First, governance: holders can participate in decisions about how the protocol evolves. Second, value capture: the protocol redistributes part of the value it generates to USUAL participants, aligning long-term holders with the system's growth. USUAL is also the reward you earn for staking into USD0++.

USUAL reward rates are variable, not fixed. They depend on protocol parameters and activity, so daily accrual can change over time. USUAL also plays a role in the exit mechanics described above, since it can be burned to convert USD0++ back to USD0 at par. Treat USUAL as a dynamic incentive layer rather than a guaranteed yield, and confirm its verified contract on DEXTools before buying or selling it.

USD0 vs USD0++ vs USUAL

TokenRoleYield / rewardsLiquidity profile
USD0Stablecoin backed 1:1 by short-term RWAsNone on its ownLiquid deposit token, hold or use freely
USD0++ (bUSD0)Liquid staking token, 1:1 with staked USD0Daily USUAL rewards4-year commitment but tradable on secondary market
USUALGovernance and value-sharing tokenShares protocol-generated valueTradable; can be burned for par conversion

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems with Usual come from misreading the staking commitment or skipping verification. Keep these points in mind before you commit capital.

Ignoring the 4-year horizon
USD0++ is not an instant 1:1 redemption. Early exits can be below par via the floor price or secondary market.
Skipping contract checks
Always verify USD0, USD0++ and USUAL on DEXTools. Copycat tokens with the same ticker are common.
Expecting fixed yield
USUAL rewards vary with protocol parameters and activity. Do not assume a constant rate.
Overlooking underlying risks
Depeg risk, RWA custody and counterparty risk, and smart contract risk all apply. Size positions accordingly.

None of these risks are unique to Usual, but combining a 4-year commitment with variable rewards and RWA-backed collateral means the details matter. Read the app's current terms, start small, and use DEXTools to keep an eye on the live market for USD0, USD0++ and USUAL.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is USD0 backed by?
USD0 is a stablecoin backed 1:1 by short-term real-world assets such as US Treasury bills. It is described as a liquid deposit token, meaning you can hold it, use it across DeFi, or stake it.
What is the difference between USD0 and USD0++?
USD0 is the base stablecoin. USD0++ (also called bUSD0) is a liquid staking token minted 1:1 from USD0 that earns daily USUAL rewards and carries a 4-year commitment, though it remains tradable on the secondary market.
How do I exit a USD0++ position early?
You can sell USD0++ on the secondary market at the current price, use the early redemption mechanism with a floor price, or convert 1 USD0++ back to 1 USD0 by providing some USUAL, which is then burned.
What is the USUAL token used for?
USUAL is the governance and value-sharing token. It lets holders take part in protocol decisions, shares protocol-generated value with participants, and is the reward earned from staking USD0 into USD0++.
Is Usual Protocol safe to use?
Usual carries real risks including depeg risk, RWA custody and counterparty risk, smart contract risk, and variable USUAL rewards. The 4-year nature of USD0++ also means par redemption is not always instant. Verify all token contracts on DEXTools and size positions to your risk tolerance.
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