What Is Empty Set Dollar (ESD)?

Empty Set Dollar (ESD) is a community-owned stablecoin that functions as the reserve cryptocurrency of decentralized finance (DeFi). According to the document, the Empty Set protocol aims to play the role of a non-centralized bank issuing a decentralized and reliable stablecoin. The stablecoin, or DSU, acts like collateral supporting blockchain-based internet applications, also known as web3. DSU, “Digital Standard Unit” or the protocol’s primary stablecoin, is entirely backed by a reserve of low-risk assets to ensure increased stability of the cryptocurrency. The protocol encourages users to mint new stablecoin by providing collateral.

Empty Set presently accepts USDC as pledged assets to mint DSU. The protocol allows users to attract less gas price or charge to conduct and validate transactions on the blockchain when minting DSU tokens. Users can also redeem the collateral-backed cryptocurrency efficiently.

Empty Set intends to act as a wrapper for stablecoins. A wrapped token is secured to the value of a specific cryptocurrency while allowing the stablecoins to run on any blockchain network. In the case of Empty Set, the protocol reserves specific collateral and launches DSU, a stablecoin, against the guaranteed asset. Empty Set seeks to lower the risks of upstream protocols. This implies that if a stablecoin ceases to function or issues related to collateral-backing crop up, DSU can be swiftly migrated into new collateral, fueling the protocol. Empty Set wishes to favor trust-minimization, too. Hence, the protocol issues stablecoin by pledging collaterals with multiple trust guarantees. 

ESS, or “Empty Set Share,” stands out as the governance token of the protocol. Users who have ESS tokens can vote and propose improved governance plans within the protocol. Both DSU and ESS operate as ERC-20 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. The protocol enables users to stake the tokens and earn more cryptocurrency. Users can also continue to deposit the tokens in liquidity pools to make more revenues and earn ESS tokens as rewards. Although a governance token, ESS can backstop the reserve or add a secondary source of funds to support the protocol. For example, the protocol enables additional minting and trading of ESS to increase the reserve ratio only if the community votes for it. 

According to the document, users with ESD can migrate the crypto-tokens to ESS using a wallet like Metamask or WalletConnect.