Buy Tether (USDT)

What is USDT?

USDT is a stablecoin issued by Tether and designed to maintain a stable value by pegging its worth to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. It combines the benefits of cryptocurrency—such as fast transactions and blockchain security—with the stability and reliability of traditional currencies, making it a less volatile digital asset for trading, payments, and other use cases.

How does USDT work?

USDT operates on a blockchain-enabled platform and uses a multi-layered architecture for stability and transparency. It primarily interacts with blockchains like Bitcoin through the Omni Layer Protocol, which manages the creation and destruction of USDT tokens (Tether). Over time, USDT has expanded to interact with multiple chains, including Ethereum (ERC-20), Tron (TRC-20), Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20), Solana, Polygon, Avalanche, Algorand, EOS, Fantom, and Kusama. This broad compatibility makes USDT easy to use and widely available across the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As the largest stablecoin by market capitalisation, USDT plays a critical role in providing liquidity and stability to the crypto market. This setup ensures that every USDT token (Tether) is fully backed by an equivalent amount of fiat currency in reserve, with its backing verified through a Proof of Reserves mechanism

What are the potential use cases for USDT?

USDT's use cases include:

• Trading and Hedging: As a stable asset, it assists in hedging against cryptocurrency market volatility.
• Decentralised Finance (DeFi): Utilised for liquidity and stability in lending, borrowing, and other DeFi services.
• Cross-Border Transfers: Facilitates quick, efficient international payments without intermediaries.
• Payment Solutions: USDT can be used for seamless crypto payments, making transactions more accessible.
• Diversification: It supports multiple sectors like data, finance, and education as it expands its application range.

What is the history of USDT?

USDT was launched in 2014 and initially named Realcoin. It was created by Brock Pierce, Reeve Collins, and Craig Sellars, with tokens first issued on the Bitcoin blockchain. Over time, USDT expanded its token issuance to multiple blockchains and grew significantly in the market. By the end of 2021, USDT became the largest stablecoin with a vast market share. Major developments include the launch of stablecoins pegged 1-to-1 with currencies like the euro and UAE dirham, along with the introduction of Hadron, a tokenisation platform.