Thomas Daniels
Tether’s USDt has reached a major milestone, surpassing a $150 billion market capitalization for the first time on May 12, 2025. This surge reflects a 36% increase in circulating supply over the past year, consolidating USDt’s position as the dominant stablecoin with 61% of the global market share, based on industry data.
The rise in USDt’s valuation aligns with broader adoption trends, marked by a 50% increase in active stablecoin wallets in the past year, climbing from 19.6 million to 30 million. This growth underscores the expanding role of stablecoins in the digital asset ecosystem.
Despite its global dominance, Tether’s footprint in the United States has remained limited due to regulatory constraints. However, the company now plans to introduce a new dollar-backed stablecoin tailored for the U.S. market. This initiative will aim to comply with domestic regulatory standards and function separately from the international version of USDt.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino shared details of the plan during the Token2049 conference in Dubai, emphasizing the firm’s intent to align with U.S. regulatory developments. The move is part of Tether’s broader strategy to expand its influence in key jurisdictions amid growing legislative scrutiny.
U.S. lawmakers are currently considering the STABLE Act, introduced by House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill and Digital Assets Subcommittee Chair Bryan Steil. The legislation seeks to establish a clearer regulatory framework for stablecoins. However, former Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Timothy Massad has criticized the proposal, citing risks associated with inconsistent state-level standards and insufficient federal oversight.
Tether’s strategic push into the U.S. market, including increased lobbying efforts and the development of a domestically compliant stablecoin, highlights its commitment to maintaining leadership in the evolving digital currency landscape.
