$STABLE Token Surges as Major Network Upgrade Approaches

$STABLE has rallied more than 30% in 24 hours as traders position ahead of StableChain's v1.2.0 mainnet upgrade scheduled for February 4, 2026. The Layer-1 blockchain's native token hit $0.03052 with trading volume spiking 307% as anticipation builds around USDT0 becoming the native gas token.

The upgrade represents StableChain's push toward becoming the go-to settlement layer for stablecoin transactions. With backing from investors such as Bitfinex, Hack VC, and USDT0, the network is betting that dollar-denominated gas will attract institutional players and payment providers who need stable costs.

What's Driving the Rally?

$STABLE's market cap reached $537.17 million with 24-hour trading volume hitting $87.77 million. Some tracking sources reported gains of up to 50% over the past day and 41.41% for the week.

This outperformance comes as the broader stablecoin market crossed $250 billion in total market cap, signaling institutional appetite for stablecoin rails. Traders appear to be front-running the upgrade, betting that improved functionality will drive adoption.

The rally also follows a familiar crypto script: narrative meets timing meets momentum. When a specific catalyst has a known date, capital tends to arrive early.

What Does the February 4 Upgrade Change?

The v1.2.0 upgrade, going live at 8:00 AM UTC on February 4, introduces several technical improvements. The headline change is USDT0 becoming the native gas token, replacing the current wrapped gUSDT system.

Currently, users need to wrap and unwrap tokens to pay transaction fees. After the upgrade, USDT0 functions as the gas fee token. Users hold it and spend it for transactions; no conversion is needed. This means only one asset is required for both transactions and fee payments, eliminating friction.

StableChain uses an EIP-1559-style fee model in which fees adjust based on network demand but remain denominated in dollars. For payment apps and remittance services, that's the whole point. Businesses can quote fees without worrying about token price swings affecting their margins.

The upgrade also includes quality-of-life improvements for developers and validators. On-chain signals now indicate when undelegation is complete, eliminating the need for constant polling. Solidity compatibility fixes address balanceOf() issues in older compilers. A new gas waiver system supports zero-gas onboarding flows with safeguards like per-transaction limits.

How Does StableChain Differ From Other L1s?

StableChain splits token functions in an unusual way. While most blockchains use their native token for all use cases, StableChain reserves $STABLE for network security, validator staking, governance, and ecosystem incentives. Transaction fees go through USDT0 instead.

This design targets high-volume stablecoin operations. Payment processors, remittance companies, and institutional settlement desks prioritize fixed-dollar costs over token appreciation. By denominating fees in stablecoins, StableChain removes one variable from their calculations.

The 17.6 billion $STABLE circulating supply provides liquidity for staking and governance while keeping the fee mechanism separate.

What's the Risk?

Not everyone is convinced the rally has legs. $STABLE hit an all-time high around $0.04565 in late 2025 and currently sits roughly 33% below that peak. Some traders view this as a short-term move driven by upgrade hype rather than fundamental demand. Once February 4 passes, profit-taking could push prices back down. Technical analysts point to $0.0177 as a key support level to watch.

There's also supply pressure to consider. Circulating supply stands at 17.6 billion out of a 100 billion maximum, with monthly token unlocks until November 2029.

Still, if USDT0, as the native gas token, attracts new projects and volume, the current price action could mark the start of a longer trend rather than a short squeeze.

For more information, visit the official StableChain website or follow @stable on X.

Sources:

• StableChain Blog – v1.2.0 Upgrade Announcement – Official upgrade details for February 4, 2026
• StableChain Blog – USDT0 as Gas – Technical explainer on the native USDT0 gas transition
• CoinMarketCap – $STABLE – Real-time price, market cap, and volume data
• Phemex – STABLE Price Analysis – Token analysis and technical outlook