Tether has introduced TradeFi, a new service designed to enhance global trade through innovative financing solutions.
On Feb. 19, the company’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, shared the announcement on X, emphasizing that TradeFi will address the financial needs of modern commerce.
TradeFi expands Tether’s growing product portfolio, which already includes stablecoins, asset tokenization, and wallet development tools.
This latest service aims to simplify international trade by providing funding solutions that reduce costs and improve efficiency. The platform will facilitate transactions in key commodities like crude oil and copper while leveraging USDT for seamless settlements.
According to Tether’s website:
“Backed by blockchain technology, we’re streamlining trade flows, reducing costs, and driving financial inclusivity across industries and borders.”
TradeFi’s launch follows Tether’s first crude oil transaction last November. The company financed a $45 million deal in the Middle East, covering 670,000 barrels of oil.
While details of the firms involved were not disclosed, Ardoino described it as the first step in a broader strategy to support more commodities and industries.
Tether investment expansion
This move comes as Tether has been expanding its business focus beyond stablecoins, making strategic investments in diverse sectors.
Over the past year, the company has transitioned from being a stablecoin issuer to a stakeholder in multiple sectors, such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, and Bitcoin mining.
These efforts resulted in the firm investing in Juventus, an Italian football club, and a proposal to acquire a 51% stake in Adecoagro SA (AGRO), a NASDAQ-listed agribusiness firm.
A Tether spokesperson told CryptoSlate that these moves align with the firm’s broader strategy of diversifying investments beyond digital assets into tangible, long-term value sectors.
Despite this broader focus, Tether continues to dominate the stablecoin market. Its flagship product, USDT, holds a market capitalization exceeding $140 billion, securing around 70% of the industry’s market share.
