Tether’s USDT stablecoin has officially crossed 500 million users worldwide, a milestone its CEO Paolo Ardoino hailed as “likely the biggest financial inclusion achievement in history.”
That figure represents roughly 6.25% of the global population and, according to Tether, counts “real people,” not just wallet addresses. The milestone highlights how digital dollars are quietly becoming one of crypto’s most impactful use cases.
For many in emerging markets, USDT isn’t just a trading tool it’s a lifeline. In places like Kenya, small businesses use stablecoins to pay for imports, while individuals rely on them to preserve savings amid inflation and currency instability.
“Stablecoins are dominating as a crypto use case,” said Vincent Liu, CIO at Kronos Research. “It will be interesting to see if USDT can stay the market leader as competitors like USDC come into play within mainstream adoption globally”
With a market capitalization of $182.4 billion and over 58% of the stablecoin market, USDT remains far ahead of its closest rival, Circle’s USDC, which stands at $76.8 billion.
But with institutional interest surging and regulators eyeing the sector, Tether’s next challenge may not be growth, it's maintaining trust and transparency in a market that’s evolving faster than ever.
As Ardoino put it, stablecoins are no longer a niche corner of crypto; they're the foundation of a new, global digital economy.
French fintech Lyzi has partnered with Porsche and Lamborghini to let customers pay for luxury cars using cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, USDC, and over 80 other digital assets. Payments are converted instantly into euros, protecting dealerships from crypto price changes and providing a smooth wallet-to-terminal experience.
AnaisTether’s USDT stablecoin has been officially recognised by Abu Dhabi Global Market, giving it a clear regulatory status across multiple blockchains. This allows licensed firms in the UAE to use USDT for trading, payments, and settlement under a regulated framework.
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AnaisOKX Singapore has launched OKX Pay, letting users pay with USDC and USDT at GrabPay merchants, with stablecoins instantly converted to Singapore dollars. The service aims to make digital currencies usable for everyday transactions and plans to expand to more merchants and stablecoins in the future.
AnaisBolivians are increasingly using Tether (USDT) for purchases, with a recent Toyota sale completed entirely in cryptocurrency. Stablecoins are gaining ground as a practical alternative to scarce US dollars amid rising inflation and limited cash access.
AnaisA former South Korean lawmaker urged the government to push won-pegged stablecoins onto global exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. He warned that limiting them to local platforms would block demand and called for companies like Samsung to play a role.
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CointelegraphPaolo Ardoino, chief technology officer, of Tether and Bitfinex, explains why USDT will retain its dominance in an increasingly competitive stablecoin market.
Cointelegraph