Trading above market cap volume: possible??

[akes2090]

I am perusing the Coinmarketcap website right now, and find the following data for Tether (USDT):

Market cap = $2,229,867,202
Volume (24h) = $3,031,250,000

Perhaps I don't understand the mechanics behind the trading - but how is it possible that the 24hr volume exceeded the market cap??   

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[dothebeats]

I am perusing the Coinmarketcap website right now, and find the following data for Tether (USDT):

Market cap = $2,229,867,202
Volume (24h) = $3,031,250,000

Perhaps I don't understand the mechanics behind the trading - but how is it possible that the 24hr volume exceeded the market cap??   

It is possible. Market cap simply means that it is the value of all existing USDT whereas volume means the amount of coins/money traded or swapped in X amount of time. Let's put it this way, TomatoCoin has a market capitalization of $2M, but the daily volume in Farm Exchanges produced a figure of $2.5M TomatoCoin exchanged. In this instance there were no new TomatoCoin added into existence but the circulating supply of TomatoCoin in the exchange has been traded back and forth for it to reach that figure. I bought 2 TomatoCoin @$4, and sold it @$5; I produced $9 worth of volume just by using 2 TomatoCoins.

[akes2090]

Thanks for the clarity..it makes sense now.

But why is there so much of activity on the USDT front anyway 

[lite]

Thanks for the clarity..it makes sense now.

But why is there so much of activity on the USDT front anyway  

Because USDT has markets on biggest exchanges like binance, bittrex,bitfinex etc..(https://coinmarketcap.com/exchanges/volume/24-hour/) people use USDT because in a sense it's much better than USD, one don't have to deal with banks, it saves time and fees between transfers.

[Harlot]

Well a Volume is computed differently from a market cap.

Market Cap = Current Price * Total Circulating Supply
Volume =  Number of times traded * Price each time it was bought and sold

So to keep it short if the asset is more than active during that day then we might see its volume greater than its market cap. Us most likely be bought and sold by traders during the day.

[bohr]

Thanks for the clarity..it makes sense now.

But why is there so much of activity on the USDT front anyway  

Because USDT has markets on biggest exchanges like binance, bittrex,bitfinex etc..(https://coinmarketcap.com/exchanges/volume/24-hour/) people use USDT because in a sense it's much better than USD, one don't have to deal with banks, it saves time and fees between transfers.

Correct, this is precisely the reason Tether was created instead of having to exchange your bitcoin for dollars you can exchange your BTC for Tether, this way if the price of a coin goes down you retain its value in dollars and now you buy for a discount, this is what traders do and that is why it has such a high trading volume I do not expect too many coins to present that behavior but Tether is one of them

[akes2090]

Thanks for the clarity..it makes sense now.

But why is there so much of activity on the USDT front anyway 

Because USDT has markets on biggest exchanges like binance, bittrex,bitfinex etc..(https://coinmarketcap.com/exchanges/volume/24-hour/) people use USDT because in a sense it's much better than USD, one don't have to deal with banks, it saves time and fees between transfers.

Correct, this is precisely the reason Tether was created instead of having to exchange your bitcoin for dollars you can exchange your BTC for Tether, this way if the price of a coin goes down you retain its value in dollars and now you buy for a discount, this is what traders do and that is why it has such a high trading volume I do not expect too many coins to present that behavior but Tether is one of them

Thanks. Very interesting indeed. USDT has sparked new interest in me now.

In a similar light - what are your opinions about DGD (DigixDAO)? If I am correct - it is linked to gold which is a fairly stable commodity/safe haven. Apparently they are partnering with gold vendors where token holders can even redeem physical gold/bullion.