Tether Holdings Ltd., the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, is exploring the potential for a greater presence in the United States.
The chief executive of the company has cited favorable market conditions and a promising regulatory outlook under President-elect Donald Trump as key factors driving this consideration.
Tether Eyes the US
In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, however, clarified that the company is taking a cautious approach and added that regulatory clarity remains a key factor in deciding future moves.
Ardoino described the evolving US regulatory environment as “a great opportunity” but asserted that it is important to wait and see how laws develop before committing to significant expansion.
This development comes amidst growing optimism over Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency, as the President-elect has promised transformative actions to advance the cryptocurrency sector. One of his anticipated first moves is a day-one executive order that would designate cryptocurrency as a national priority, compelling regulatory agencies to adopt a more positive stance toward the industry.
This is in stark contrast to Biden’s leadership as US regulatory agencies under him demanded strict compliance and transparency, creating challenges for stablecoin issuers such as Tether.
Meanwhile, Ardoino also highlighted Tether’s recent financial success, including a strong performance in 2024, which he believes positions the company to evaluate new opportunities, such as its recent $775 million investment in the US-listed video-sharing platform Rumble Inc.
Tether Expansion
Ardoino’s statement came shortly after Tether disclosed plans to shift its operations to El Salvador, a Bitcoin-friendly country that granted the company a digital asset service provider license (DASP) on January 13. The exec had then stated,
“This decision is a natural progression for Tether as it allows us to build a new home, foster collaboration, and strengthen our focus on emerging markets.”
More recently, Tether has expanded its Bitcoin reserves by $700 million, thereby adding 7,629 BTC from Bitfinex to its holdings. This move aligns with its diversification strategy amidst concerns over USDT’s status in Europe due to MiCA regulations.
