Tether Considers Launching U.S.-Based Stablecoin for Institutional Use

Tether Considers Launching U.S.-Based Stablecoin for Institutional Use

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, is reportedly considering launching a new U.S.-based stablecoin aimed at institutional clients, in line with growing crypto-friendly sentiment in the U.S. under President Donald Trump.

In a Bloomberg podcast interview on April 7, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino revealed that the company is exploring a new token designed to accelerate inter-institutional settlements. Ardoino visited the U.S. in March to attend a digital assets summit hosted by President Trump, signaling the company’s increasing interest in entering the American market.

A Strategic Move into the U.S. Market

Beyond its flagship USDT, Tether’s new stablecoin initiative is aimed at:

• Facilitating institutional financial settlements

• Expanding its footprint in the U.S. market

• Enhancing regulatory compliance within the jurisdiction

“We are closely monitoring the final language and passage of related legislation,” Ardoino said, indicating a cautious but proactive stance toward potential U.S. regulation.

The move also positions Tether to compete more directly with U.S.-based stablecoins such as Circle’s USDC, PayPal’s PYUSD, and Ripple Labs’ RLUSD, all of which are vying for institutional trust and adoption.

A Crypto-Friendly Trump Administration

President Trump has recently shown increasing support for the crypto industry, including voicing support for stablecoin regulation, launching a meme coin, and endorsing decentralized finance (DeFi) initiatives. These developments could create a more favorable regulatory environment for Tether’s U.S. expansion.

Tether, however, has a history of regulatory issues in the U.S. In 2021, the company paid $41 million in fines related to misleading statements about its reserves. Since then, Tether has taken steps to improve transparency, now managing its reserves through Cantor Fitzgerald, a firm once led by Trump-era Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Ardoino emphasized that this evolving regulatory landscape has enabled Tether to pursue audits with Big Four accounting firms, stating:

“Previous audit promises lacked realism — but this time, it's different.”

Currently, Tether provides quarterly attestations through BDO Italy, offering some degree of reserve transparency.

Different Strategy for the U.S.: Institutional Focus

Tether reported approximately $1.3 billion in profits in 2024, mostly from investments in U.S. Treasuries and similar assets. While USDT is widely used as a savings instrument in emerging markets like Argentina, the new U.S. stablecoin will focus on:

• Bank-to-bank settlements

• Institutional-grade infrastructure

• Regulatory alignment and compliance

To further strengthen its internal operations, Tether appointed Simon McWilliams as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in March, reinforcing its shift toward a more structured and compliant corporate governance model.