> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.lisk.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.lisk.com/faq/usdl.md).

# USDL

### What is USDL?

USDL is the dollar stablecoin behind every balance in a Lisk account. It is issued by [Bridge](https://www.bridge.xyz/), a Stripe company and Lisk's financial infrastructure partner, and backed by USD-denominated reserves. In Lisk, it simply appears as a dollar balance.

### Why Lisk uses USDL

Lisk connects fiat deposits, stablecoin deposits, payment accounts, bank payouts, crypto payouts, and internal transfers. USDL is the internal asset that lets all of them land in one place.

Without it, you would have to think about which stablecoin you hold, which blockchain it lives on, and whether a conversion needs to happen. With it, you get one dollar balance, regardless of whether the money arrived as a bank transfer or a stablecoin.

### What you see in the product

You see dollars. Deposits, payments, withdrawals, transfers, and transaction statuses are all shown as dollar amounts. You see $500, not "500 USDL."

### What happens when money moves

When fiat or a supported stablecoin is deposited, it converts into USDL and shows up as a dollar balance. When you send a payment, USDL converts back into whatever the destination requires, fiat or other stablecoins.

### Is there a fee for conversion?

No. Lisk covers the cost of USDL conversion and network gas fees, so there is no separate charge for a conversion having happened.

Other partner or rail fees may still apply depending on the transaction type. Any that apply are shown as a fee line before you confirm.

### How long do conversions take?

Conversion is automated but not always instant, because it can involve a crypto rail or a fiat rail. 

Typical timings:

| Flow                         | Typical timing            |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Supported stablecoin deposit | Around 30 minutes         |
| SEPA Instant deposit         | Around 35 minutes         |
| Wire deposit                 | Around 2.5 hours          |
| ACH deposit                  | Next business day         |
| Withdrawal to fiat           | Similar timing in reverse |

Banking hours, cutoffs, weekends, holidays, and large transactions can extend these. 

### Who holds my money?

Balances on Lisk are held as stablecoins in your own wallet, which Lisk never controls. While money is moving on bank rails, such as an incoming transfer or an outgoing payout, it is handled by [Bridge](https://www.bridge.xyz/) under the [Bridge User Terms](https://www.bridge.xyz/legal/overview). 

### Related articles

* [Which networks, stablecoins, and payment rails does Lisk support?](/supported-payment-methods.md)
* [Where is Lisk available?](/supported-countries.md)

Still have questions? [Contact our support team](https://lisk.com/contact/).

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