Profile
yoUSD profile facts
Yield Optimizer USD (yoUSD) static profile: governance model CeFi-Dependent; backing model Crypto-Collateralized; peg USDC-denominated NAV.
Variant relationship
Yield Optimizer USD (yoUSD) is modeled as a strategy vault variant of USD Coin (USDC). Pharos treats parent stress, redemption, mint authority, and dependency context as relevant to this variant before interpreting its own live metrics.
- Collateral
- USDC deposits continuously rebalanced across 50+ whitelisted DeFi yield sources on Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and Unichain; allocations ranked by Exponential.fi risk-adjusted ratings with per-pool caps (max 50%) and per-protocol caps (max 70%); 5 smart contract audits by Offbeat Security, Hunter Security, Spearbit/Cantina, Aether Labs, and Paladin with no critical or high findings; 4-of-6 admin Safe controls protocol whitelisting; backed by Paradigm, Haun Ventures, and Coinbase Ventures
- Peg mechanism
- ERC-4626 vault on Base; USDC deposited via yoGateway, rebalanced cross-chain to whitelisted DeFi pools; NAV appreciates with accrued yield (e.g. ~$1.069 at launch anniversary); instant redemptions up to liquidity buffer, larger withdrawals up to 24h as cross-chain positions unwind
- Jurisdiction
- Not disclosed in the static profile.
- Proof of reserves
- No proof-of-reserves entry in the static profile.
Source: Pharos registry profile fields. Live price, supply, reserve, liquidity, event, and safety data load in the interactive dossier on this page.
yoUSD quick answers
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What is Yield Optimizer USD (yoUSD)?
yoUSD is an ERC-4626 yield-aggregator on Base that rebalances USDC across 50+ whitelisted DeFi protocols, with NAV appreciating from accrued strategy yield. The static profile records its USDC-denominated NAV accounting mechanism as: ERC-4626 vault on Base; USDC deposited via yoGateway, rebalanced cross-chain to whitelisted DeFi pools; NAV appreciates with accrued yield (e.g.
Is yoUSD safe?
As of Oct 24, 2026, Pharos grades yoUSD D (49/100) on its Safety Score. Pharos's reviews record that admin controls such as a pause or an upgradeable contract exist, though no power to freeze a specific holder was found, and any holder can use its reviewed redemption route. That is a low-band grade, which flags significant structural risk. The grade moves as reserve, redemption, peg and control evidence changes; the live Safety Score on this page shows the current reading.
What backs yoUSD?
Pharos records yoUSD's reserves as of Sep 21, 2026 as 97.2% Yield Optimizer USD deployed strategy positions and 2.8% Yield Optimizer USD idle underlying. Reserve evidence: live reserve feed configured. Pharos classifies the backing as Crypto-Collateralized.
Can yoUSD be frozen or blacklisted?
Based on tracked contract metadata and blacklist coverage, admin controls such as a global pause or an upgradeable contract are recorded, but the review found no active power to freeze or seize a specific holder's balance on material deployments.
How do you redeem yoUSD?
Under the route Pharos reviewed on Apr 16, 2026, any holder can redeem yoUSD for USDC. Settlement is immediate. The reviewed terms charge no percentage redemption fee. Whether a given holder qualifies is set by the route's own terms, not by this summary.
