USDT Issuer Tether Ventures Into Payment Processing With Georgia Investment

The stablecoin issuer announced earlier this week it is investing in a sustainable bitcoin mining facility in Uruguay.

AccessTimeIconMay 31, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Tether, issuer of the $83 billion USDT stablecoin, has invested an undisclosed amount in payment processor firm CityPay.io, according to a Wednesday press release.

CityPay.io added USDT as payment option for users in over 600 locations including restaurants, shops and hotels in the Caucasian country of Georgia, Tether tweeted. CityPay.io linked to Binance Pay, the payment arm of the world’s largest crypto exchange, allowing purchases with cryptocurrencies earlier this year, Binance tweeted.

  • Sen. Lummis Addresses Algorithmic Stablecoin Ban in New Bill
    19:02
    Sen. Lummis Addresses Algorithmic Stablecoin Ban in New Bill
  • Eisenberg's $110M Fraud Trial Opens; FSI Calls for Consistency in Stablecoin Regulation
    02:06
    Eisenberg's $110M Fraud Trial Opens; FSI Calls for Consistency in Stablecoin Regulation
  • El Salvador Bags Major Bitcoin Gains; Hong Kong's Stablecoin Push
    02:11
    El Salvador Bags Major Bitcoin Gains; Hong Kong's Stablecoin Push
  • Existing Stablecoin Models Are Not 'Totally Fair,' Usual CEO Says
    00:52
    Existing Stablecoin Models Are Not 'Totally Fair,' Usual CEO Says
  • Tether’s investment is in line with a new plan to allocate a part of its excess profits to purchase bitcoin (BTC) and venture into infrastructure, payments and communication projects. The company reported almost $1.5 billion in net profit for the first quarter. Earlier this week, Tether also announced an investment in sustainable energy production and bitcoin mining in Uruguay.

    Stablecoins are a key piece of plumbing in the crypto ecosystem, bridging government-issued currencies and facilitating trading. Issuers are increasingly boosting stablecoins as a means for payments and remittances, especially in the developing world. Recently, Bitcoin-based payments app Strike integrated USDT as part of its global expansion to 65 countries. Earlier, rival stablecoin issuer Circle teamed up with payment firm Block’s (SQ) subsidiary TBD to offer remittance payments using its own stablecoin, USDC.

    Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s chief technology officer, said in a podcast episode with The Block that USDT is increasingly used for value transfers, making up about 40% of all token usage, compared to 60% of crypto trading.

    Edited by Sheldon Reback.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Krisztian  Sandor

    Krisztian Sandor is a reporter on the U.S. markets team focusing on stablecoins and institutional investment. He holds BTC and ETH.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.