Tether's user base has exceeded 550 million wallets, with 30 million added each quarter, signaling rapid expansion beyond crypto traders into global payments and cross-border transactions. This stablecoin now has between 50% and 60% of its activity dedicated to international trade and payments.
Steady Growth and Expanding Role
According to Paolo Ardoino, Tether's CEO, annual wallet growth could reach 100 million, largely driven by adoption in developing countries. This growth reflects a shift from USDT's traditional use as a trading hedge to a vital infrastructure component for the real economy.
The issuer highlighted that 50-60% of USDT transactions currently support cross-border trade, underlining the stablecoin's increasing integration into global finance. While the number of wallets is significant, it does not directly represent unique users as single entities can hold multiple wallets.
Market Capitalization and Financial Performance
Tether's market capitalization approached $190 billion in 2026, boosted notably by $2 billion in USDT block issuances on Ethereum. In the first quarter of 2026, Tether reported a profit of $1.04 billion, momentarily surpassing Ethereum in market cap.
also Tether is preparing to launch a mainstream app and is developing a new stablecoin aimed at regulated US markets, signaling a move toward broader mainstream adoption.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
