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Tether’s USDT Hits Milestone Amid Surge In Stablecoin Adoption
Tether reports that, as of the fourth quarter of 2024, more than 109 million on-chain wallets are holding USDT. This marks a notable milestone in the adoption of Tether’s stablecoin, placing it among the most widely held digital assets globally. This figure represents a significant increase in both individual and institutional adoption, with USDT continuing to play a pivotal role in the crypto ecosystem. The growth of Tether aligns with the increasing demand for stablecoins, driven by their utility in providing a reliable store of value.
Tether USDT Sees Record Growth: 109 Million Wallets and 71% Increase in 2024
According to a recent report by Tether, the number of on-chain wallets holding USDT reached 109 million by the start of Q4 2024, a major leap from previous years. This is more than double the number of wallets holding Bitcoin and almost as many as those holding Ethereum. As a result, USDT has become one of the most popular digital assets.
The growth and adoption has been particularly notable, with the number of wallets holding more than one cent of USDT increasing by 71% in just one year.
The surge in USDT adoption is due to its increasing use, including cross-border payments, savings, and trading. Tether’s presence across multiple blockchain platforms also plays a key role in its widespread usage.
More so, over 54 million wallets held more than a cent of USDT, reinforcing its position as the leading stablecoin. The number of wallets holding USDT has grown four times faster than all other stablecoins combined.
More so, the US Treasury highlighted the rapid growth of stablecoins in its recent report, noting their increasing role in the digital asset market. The report highlighted that a significant portion of fiat-backed stablecoins’ collateral is invested in Treasury bills and treasury-backed repo transactions. It estimated that around $120 billion in stablecoin collateral is currently tied to U.S. Treasuries.
Growing Adoption Across Emerging Markets
One of the key drivers behind Tether’s adoption is its widespread use in emerging markets, where many users rely on stablecoins for financial inclusion. The report shows that nearly 46% of all web visits to centralized exchanges in the first three quarters of 2024 originated from emerging markets. This highlights the growing role of these regions in the global digital asset ecosystem.
In these regions, USDT is often used for remittances, online payments, and as a hedge against local currency volatility. The stablecoin issuer’s ability to provide a low-cost alternative to traditional financial services has made it attractive to users.
The large number of USDT wallets with low balances is another indicator of the stablecoin’s widespread accessibility. In many cases, wallets holding less than $1 of USDT belong to users in developing regions. These small balances are often used for everyday transactions.
As of November 2024, the number of USDT wallets exceeds that of all other stablecoins combined. The stablecoin issuer also holds 97.5% of the total stablecoin supply across 25 blockchains.
Despite the popularity of competing stablecoins such as USDC and DAI, Tether continues to maintain its lead. Most recently, the stablecoin issuer’s investment division facilitated its first $45 million crude oil transaction in the Middle East, marking a significant expansion into global trade finance. The deal, involving 670,000 barrels of crude oil, used USDT to streamline payments and enhance trade flow efficiency.
Ronny Mugendi
Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience, having contributed significantly to various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. With over 4000 published articles across various media outlets, he aims to inform, educate and introduce more people to the Blockchain and DeFi world. Outside of his journalism career, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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Cryptocurrency investors in Japan are bracing for impact following a plan to reclassify digital assets as financial products. While the plan has elicited excitement from cryptocurrency enthusiasts in the Far East, the ambitious plan will have to scale several legislative hurdles.
Japan Targets Reclassification Of Cryptocurrencies As Financial Products
According to a report by Nikkei, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is inching toward classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products. Per the report, the FSA intends to achieve the reclassification via an amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Currently, digital assets in Japan are considered crypto assets conferred with property rights and seen as payment means. Under the FSA’s plans, cryptocurrencies in Japan will be treated as financial products in the same manner as traditional financial products.
The FSA says it will adopt a slow and steady approach toward the reclassification, carrying out “a private expert study group” to test the waters. If everything goes according to plan, the FSA will submit the amended bill to Parliament in early 2026.
The classification of cryptocurrencies as financial products will have far-reaching consequences for the local ecosystem. Experts say treating cryptocurrencies as financial products will bring Japan closer to a crypto ETF launch amid a changing regulatory landscape.
Furthermore, the move may lower current cryptocurrency taxation for local investors since existing capital market rules will apply to the asset class.
A Fresh Bill For Crypto Insider Trading Is Underway
Apart from the reclassification, the FSA disclosed plans for new legislation against insider trading. The move flows treating cryptocurrencies as financial products and will strengthen existing investor protection rules.
“It is a direction to establish a new insider trading regulation that prohibits trading based on unpublished internal information,” said the FSA. “We will develop laws to prevent unfair transactions.”
However, Japan’s cryptocurrency scene is heating up to a boil, driven by local and international players. Last week, stablecoin issuer Circle secured approval from the FSA for USDC with top exchanges set to list the stablecoin.
Japan’s Metaplanet has tapped Eric Trump to join its Strategic Board of Advisors as it continues to load up Bitcoin.
Aliyu Pokima
Aliyu Pokima is a seasoned cryptocurrency and emerging technologies journalist with a knack for covering needle-moving stories in the space. Aliyu delivers breaking news stories, regulatory updates, and insightful analysis with depth and precision. When he’s not poring over charts or following leads, Aliyu enjoys playing the bass guitar, lifting weights and running marathons.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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Mike Belshe, the CEO of BitGo, has commented on the recent settlement between Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital and the New York Attorney General (NYAG). Known as one of the top advocates of deregulation, Belshe, per his latest updates on X, appears to favor regulatory intervention to prevent some fraudulent practices in the industry.
BitGo CEO Comments on Galaxy Digital Settlement
Responding directly to a post from Anthony Scaramucci, Belshe said it is hard to deny that NYAG laid a compelling case against Galaxy Digital. He highlighted the firm’s pump-and-dump actions. The BitGo CEO noted that selling tokens as soon as they are vested and shilling to HODL when one is actually selling is wrong.
Notably, he reiterated his respect for Novogratz and his contributions to the industry. However, considering the NYAG’s position, Mike Belshe said Galaxy Digital’s actions are unethical.
‘So, legal overreach or not, it’s not ethical, and this type of behavior makes our entire industry look bad. Unchecked, this is what leads to “over-regulation,”’ he said, advocating for users to read the controls put onto Galaxy as part of this settlement!
The Advocacy for Crypto Regulation
As reported by CoinGape, Galaxy Digital settled with NYAG with $200 million over the controversial Terra (LUNA) sales. The BitGo CEO said if the right regulations are not in place and top leaders are this manipulative, the industry may not be taken seriously.
In his calls for oversight, Mike Belshe defined this as ‘Principles-based regulation.’ He further explained what he meant, noting that no one should lie to promote assets they hold. He also advocated that influential leaders should not tell others to buy while hiding the fact that they are selling.
Over the past few years, industry leaders have often denounced the regulation through key regulators’ enforcement tactics. Things have changed drastically since Mark Uyeda came on board as Acting Chair of the US SEC.
The commission has even established a Crypto Task Force to help introduce frameworks to guide the industry.
President Trump Fulfilling Campaign Promises
The BitGo CEO’s new crypto regulation push is not on the radar. While industry experts like John Deaton agreed with his proposition, US regulatory agencies are cleaning the house to help fulfill President Donald Trump’s campaign promises.
In a recent update, the FDIC advised Federal Banks about crypto. The commission said financial institutions under its umbrella do not need prior approval to gain exposure to the crypto industry. Thus far, this positive regulatory shift has triggered a new adoption trend for the digital currency ecosystem.
One of the core positive moves was Fidelity Investments’ launch of a stablecoin on a public blockchain.
Godfrey Benjamin
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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The drawdown in the broader crypto market has extended to this weekend as losses shifted from Bitcoin (BTC) to altcoins. The combined market cap has lost 2.82% to $2.68 trillion, which suggests the selloff might deepen more. With the mix of bullish news in the trailing 7-day period, the question among analysts remains what is behind the latest slump.
What Is Behind Crypto Market Crash?
Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the broader digital currency ecosystem has witnessed positive backing.
As reported earlier by CoinGape, President Trump granted full pardon to Arthur Hayes, and other BitMEX co-founders Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed. While this news is localized to the beneficiaries, it generally signals the positive shift in White House’ perception of the industry.
Despite these updates, the crypto market is still reeling with losses. The same Trump administration’s trade policies have continued to weigh down investor sentiment. The April 2 reciprocal tariff timeline has placed investors on the edge.
These tariffs and trade wars have ushered in economic uncertainties and potential inflation drag. With the Federal Reserve keeping rates unchanged, the impact of inflation may force traditional firms to adjust their positions. This in turn impact the crypto market sentiment overall.
Bitcoin and Altcoin Performance Review
As of writing, the price of BTC has lost its $83,000 support and currently trading at $82,476.30 per data from CoinMarketCap. The top coin has fallen by 2.43% in 24 hours and has extended its Year-to-Date (YTD) losses to 12.5%.
Top altcoins have also lost their positions with Ethereum down 2.25% to $1,846. XRP has fallen by more than 3% to $2.115, while Cardano has shed off 3.92% to $0.6721. The altcoin response has seen Dogecoin forming a wedge pattern in what may serve as a make-it-or-break-it switch for the memecoin.
While it appears as though many of these top assets are bottoming out, their correlations with Bitcoin may extend their overall drawdow.
What Next for the Crypto Market?
Thus far this year, top coins like Bitcoin have often showcased resilience in the face of massive sell-off and crypto liquidations. Although the current price floor for Bitcoin remain undefined, with analysts keeping an eye on the $82,000 floor.
The digital currency has not breached this level in close to two weeks. While legendary trader Peter Brandt agrees BTC price may fall to $65,635, this bearish projection may be averted if the $82,500 support holds through the weekend.
Altcoins may likely boost their price recovery by relying on BTC breakout and their internal fundamental updates.
Godfrey Benjamin
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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