Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has confirmed that more than 500 million people now use its digital dollar—equivalent to roughly 6.25% of the global population.
CEO Paolo Ardoino called the milestone “likely the biggest financial inclusion achievement in history.”
Tether emphasized that its user count reflects real individuals, not just wallet addresses, underscoring the growing real-world use of USDT. Pegged to the US dollar, the stablecoin is increasingly used as a store of value and a day-to-day payment tool, particularly in regions with unstable local currencies.
The World Bank reports that 1.4 billion adults still live outside the traditional financial system. Tether argues that cryptocurrencies offer an alternative path to inclusion, since anyone with a smartphone can create a wallet, receive payments, and secure savings without a bank.
To mark its milestone, Tether released a new documentary focused on Kenya, where small businesses and families rely on USDT not for speculation, but for economic survival. The film highlights how local merchants use USDT to pay for imports and shield themselves from the sharp decline of the Kenyan shilling.
Market Leadership and Expanding Vision
According to CoinMarketCap, USDT holds a market capitalization of $182.5 billion, controlling 57.4% of the stablecoin market, far ahead of USDC’s $76.8 billion. Tether also invested in Kenyan fintech Kotani Pay, supporting on-chain payment infrastructure in Africa, where crypto activity in Sub-Saharan regions has grown 52% year-over-year, according to Chainalysis.
Beyond stablecoins, Tether is expanding into AI, energy, and media, with reports indicating plans to raise up to $20 billion and potentially reach a $500 billion valuation. The company also partnered with Antalpha to raise $200 million for the gold-backed stablecoin XAUT and broader tokenized asset initiatives.
