
Daidai#19
By Twin · CoinHours Editorial · Coin profile maintained by CoinHours Editorial · Market data refreshes every 60s
$0.9995
7d Change
-0.04%
30d Change
-0.02%
24h High
$0.000000
24h Low
$0.000000
Price Chart
About Dai
Dai is a decentralized, algorithmic stablecoin maintained by MakerDAO that targets a soft peg to the U.S. dollar through over-collateralization with crypto assets. Unlike centralized stablecoins, DAI is generated when users lock collateral in smart contracts, with stability maintained through automated liquidation mechanisms and adjustable interest rates. The token has established itself as a cornerstone of decentralized finance, though it now coexists with the newer USDS within the rebranded Sky ecosystem.
Primary use case: Decentralized stablecoin generated through crypto-collateralized debt positions for DeFi applications.
CoinHours Analysis
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Understanding Dai Price Data
The Dai price shown above is a volume-weighted average across major spot exchanges, sourced from CoinGecko and refreshed continuously throughout the trading day. Cryptocurrency markets trade twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week — there is no opening or closing bell — so the 24-hour change figure is a rolling window measured against the price exactly one day prior, not against a fixed daily close. The 7-day and 30-day percentage moves use the same rolling-window methodology, which means the figures shift continuously rather than resetting at midnight.
Market capitalisation for Dai is calculated by multiplying the current price by the circulating supply — the number of DAI units currently in public hands and not locked, burned, or reserved by the protocol. This differs from total supply (all units that have ever been created) and max supply (the protocol-defined cap, where one exists). For assets with significant locked or vesting allocations, fully diluted valuation can be a more useful long-term measure than market cap alone. The 24-hour trading volume figure aggregates spot trading across reporting exchanges and excludes derivatives and over-the-counter activity, which can be substantially larger for major assets.
All-time high (ATH) figures reflect the peak USD price ever recorded for Dai on a major exchange. The ATH change percentage shows how far the current price sits below — or above — that peak, and is one of several inputs the CoinHours Market Cycle Indicator uses when assessing where the broader market sits in its four-year halving cycle. For longer-term investors, ATH drawdown combined with 200-week moving average position and the Fear & Greed Index gives a clearer cycle picture than any single metric in isolation.
Dai for Australian Investors
In Australia, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats Dai and other cryptocurrencies as capital gains tax (CGT) assets rather than as currency. Every disposal — selling for AUD, swapping for another crypto, spending on goods or services, or gifting — is a CGT event that must be reported in your tax return. Holding DAI for more than twelve months before disposing of it qualifies you for the 50% individual CGT discount, which is one of the most significant tax planning levers for long-term holders. See the crypto tax encyclopedia entry for a full breakdown of ATO record-keeping requirements, cost-base calculation methods, and the tax treatment of staking rewards, airdrops, and DeFi income.
Australian investors typically buy Dai through a registered exchange that complies with AUSTRAC anti-money-laundering requirements. Once acquired, holdings can be left on the exchange (counterparty risk), moved to a software wallet (convenience with online attack surface), or transferred to a hardware wallet for cold-storage self-custody (highest security, least convenient). The CoinHours security guide walks through the trade-offs in detail, including seed-phrase storage, multi-signature setups, and inheritance planning. For background on the underlying technology, the Crypto Encyclopedia covers blockchain fundamentals, consensus mechanisms, and the Dai protocol in plain English.
Dai FAQ
How is DAI different from other stablecoins like USDC?
DAI is generated through cryptocurrency collateral locked in smart contracts, making it decentralised without reliance on traditional banking. USDC and similar stablecoins are backed by fiat currency reserves held by centralised institutions. This means DAI operates independently of traditional financial infrastructure but carries smart contract and collateral volatility risks that centralised stablecoins typically don't face.
What happens if my DAI collateral gets liquidated?
Liquidation occurs when your collateralisation ratio falls below the minimum threshold due to collateral price decline. The protocol automatically sells enough collateral to repay the DAI debt plus a liquidation penalty, typically 13%. You keep any remaining collateral after the debt and penalty are covered, but liquidation often results in losses compared to manually managing the position.
How does DAI maintain its $1 peg without central bank backing?
DAI uses market incentives and automated mechanisms to maintain price stability. When DAI trades above $1, users are incentivised to generate more DAI by borrowing against collateral, increasing supply. When below $1, higher stability fees encourage debt repayment, reducing supply. The Target Rate Feedback Mechanism can also adjust the target price slightly to help restore the peg during persistent deviations.
What are the Australian tax implications of using DAI?
Using DAI may trigger CGT events under ATO guidance. Generating DAI by depositing collateral could be a taxable disposal of the collateral asset. Using DAI for purchases requires calculating gains or losses based on your DAI acquisition cost versus its value at time of use. Keep detailed records of all DAI transactions, including generation, trading, and spending activities for accurate tax reporting.
Can I lose money holding DAI even though it's a stablecoin?
While DAI maintains relative price stability, several risks exist. Smart contract failures could affect the entire system. Extreme market volatility might cause the peg to break temporarily. If you generated DAI through collateral, liquidation risks could result in losses. Additionally, regulatory changes could impact DAI's utility or accessibility, potentially affecting its value or your ability to use it.
What is the relationship between DAI and the new Sky ecosystem?
Following MakerDAO's rebrand to Sky in 2024, DAI continues operating alongside the new USDS stablecoin and SKY governance token. DAI holders can upgrade to USDS at a 1:1 rate if they choose, but DAI remains fully functional within the expanded ecosystem. The Sky ecosystem maintains DAI's existing functionality while adding new features and governance structures through the additional tokens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the Dai price updated?
CoinHours pulls live DAI pricing from CoinGecko, which aggregates trades across major exchanges. The page refreshes the displayed figures every few minutes; the underlying market data updates continuously and may move significantly between refreshes during volatile sessions.
Why does the Dai price differ between exchanges?
Each exchange runs its own order book, so prices drift slightly based on local supply and demand, regional liquidity, and pair availability. The figure shown here is a weighted average designed to represent the broad market price rather than any single venue. Arbitrage typically keeps the differences small for major assets but can widen during fast moves or on smaller exchanges.
Is buying Dai legal in Australia?
Yes. Cryptocurrency is legal to buy, hold, and trade in Australia. Exchanges operating in Australia must register with AUSTRAC and comply with anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules. The ATO treats crypto as property for tax purposes — see the Australian investors section above for tax implications.
What is market cap and why does it matter?
Market capitalisation equals current price multiplied by circulating supply and gives a rough measure of an asset's total value in public hands. It is a more meaningful comparison metric than price alone because two coins with identical prices can have radically different supplies. Market cap rank is one input investors use when assessing relative size, but it does not account for locked tokens, future emissions, or actual on-chain liquidity.
Should I store Dai on an exchange or in a wallet?
Exchange custody is convenient but exposes you to counterparty risk — exchange failures and hacks have wiped out customer balances historically. For amounts material to your finances, a hardware wallet under your own control is the standard recommendation. Read the security guide for a full comparison of custody options and seed-phrase best practices.
Information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Cryptocurrency prices are volatile and you can lose your entire investment. Consult a qualified Australian financial adviser and registered tax agent before making investment decisions.