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Tether invests billions in mining with 15+ global sites, aiming to become the biggest Bitcoin miner by year-end to protect its BTC-backed reserves.
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GENIUS Act forces Tether to comply with new U.S. rules or exit the market; a U.S.-based stablecoin is in the works to meet regulatory demands.
Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, is gearing up for a dramatic shift in strategy. While regulatory pressure builds under the newly passed GENIUS Act in the U.S., CEO Paolo Ardoino has revealed bold plans to make Tether the largest Bitcoin miner in the world by the end of 2025. This comes alongside its efforts to launch a fully compliant U.S.-based stablecoin amid growing scrutiny.
With the Senate passing the “Genius Act,” Paolo expressed optimism. He believes the legislation will create a global compliance framework for stablecoins, both domestic and foreign. Tether plans to align its current USDT token with these new standards and also launch a new onshore stablecoin tailored for the U.S. market.
From Stablecoins to Mining Powerhouse
Speaking on a recent Bankless podcast with Ryan Sean Adams, Ardoino shared that Tether is investing heavily in Bitcoin mining, alongside ventures in AI, telecommunications, and data centers. With over $10 billion in Bitcoin holdings, Ardoino stressed the importance of protecting the network that underpins Tether’s balance sheet. By becoming a top miner, Tether hopes to safeguard its interests from potential manipulation and centralization risks. Ardoino confidently stated, “Realistically, by the end of this year, Tether will become the biggest bitcoin miner out there.”
The Billion-Dollar Mining Bet
Despite strong competition from established mining giants like Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms, Tether has made significant progress through partnerships with Latin American governments, including El Salvador, Paraguay, and Uruguay. With over 15 mining facilities already under its belt, the company has quietly poured billions into expanding its mining infrastructure. Still, questions remain, as Tether has yet to disclose its share of the total Bitcoin hashrate.
GENIUS Act Forces Strategic Changes
While Tether aims to lead in mining, it’s also being forced to navigate new regulatory hurdles in the U.S. The GENIUS Act, passed in June 2025, demands full reserve backing, AML/KYC compliance, and transparency from all stablecoin issuers. Tether has 18 to 36 months to comply or face expulsion from the U.S. market.
On the flip side, the company worked alongside the U.S. Department of Justice to help freeze illicit funds using its blockchain monitoring systems. He noted that Tether has collaborated with over 250 law enforcement agencies globally, an unmatched record in the crypto world.
What’s Next?
Tether must now choose between revamping USDT to meet U.S. standards, launching a new regulated stablecoin, or withdrawing from the American market. Meanwhile, competitors like USDC and RLUSD are primed to capitalize on any misstep. Overall, one thing is clear that Tether is no longer just a stablecoin issuer, but a major player betting big on Bitcoin’s infrastructure.
