USDT handles $156B in small transfers as Tether eyes $500B valuation
Tether’s USDT settled roughly $156 billion in transfers under $1,000, CEO Paolo Ardoino said, with the seven-day moving average of small-value flows consistently above $500 million. The rise in high-frequency, low-value transactions highlights USDT’s growing use for remittances and everyday payments in regions with costly or limited banking access. Separately, Bloomberg reports Tether is exploring a stock sale that could value the company around $500 billion and raise up to $20 billion; executives have also discussed tokenising shares to enable on-chain trading. Beyond stablecoins, Tether has submitted a binding all-cash bid for Exor’s 65.4% stake in Juventus FC and plans a €1 billion investment if the deal closes. The firm is also investing in AI and robotics startups and has become a major buyer of physical gold, holding 116 tonnes in Q3 2025 and supporting tokenised gold demand. For traders: the data underscores stronger utility and demand for USDT, possible corporate restructuring or equity tokenisation that could expand on-chain liquidity, and broader treasury diversification into real-world assets — all developments that may influence stablecoin flows, market liquidity and sentiment.
Bullish
The news is bullish overall for crypto markets, especially for USDT and stablecoin liquidity. Key reasons: (1) $156B in sub-$1,000 transfers and a >$500M seven-day moving average show stronger everyday and remittance use — that supports sustained demand for USDT circulation and trading pairs liquidity. (2) A potential $500B valuation and up to $20B equity raise, plus discussions of tokenising shares, imply significant institutional capital and a route to increased on-chain liquidity, which could broaden investor access and market depth. (3) Tether’s diversification into tokenised gold, AI/robotics investments, and high-profile acquisitions (Juventus bid) indicate growing corporate scale and treasury activity that may stabilise or expand its asset base. Short-term implications: increased USDT flows can raise stablecoin supply-demand dynamics, tighten spreads in USDT pairs and support altcoin liquidity — possibly positive for risk-on sentiment. However, large corporate moves can create event-driven volatility (e.g., speculation around tokenised shares or M&A outcomes). Long-term implications: if Tether successfully tokenises equity or expands real-world-asset holdings, it could deepen on-chain financial infrastructure and reduce friction between crypto and traditional finance, which is structurally bullish for market growth. Risks: regulatory scrutiny, operational missteps, or failed deals could temper positive effects and trigger temporary sell-offs.