
Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, shares insights about the company’s recent investments across various sectors, including Bitcoin mining, traditional finance (TradFi), and payment solutions for commodity trading.
In an interview during the Emergence Conference held in Prague on December 5, Ardoino mentioned that Tether (USDT) has achieved over $13 billion in profits. Currently, Tether boasts a market capitalization exceeding $135 billion, along with an additional $6 billion in excess equity. These resources are being utilized to further develop Tether’s expanding stablecoin investment portfolio.
“When it comes to investments made by Tether—viewed as a distinct entity from our preservation efforts—these funds have been allocated across a range of sectors,” stated Ardoino.
One significant area of focus is Bitcoin (BTC) mining. Ardoino expressed that he and the Tether team are “enthusiastic supporters” of Bitcoin mining and aim to play a proactive role in safeguarding Bitcoin’s finite supply to prevent excessive decentralization. He disclosed that Tether has invested in Bitcoin mining operations in smaller nations, particularly in both Central and South America.
“We cannot depend on just two or three entities controlling 90% of the mining,” Ardoino remarked. “We must bolster global participation to enhance Bitcoin’s security. This is one of our primary early investments.”
Additionally, Tether is keenly interested in TradFi and cryptocurrency trading. Ardoino indicated that Tether has initiated several deals within the TradFi sector, serving as “a short-term lender” for various operations.
Moreover, Ardoino noted that Tether is investigating the potential of using USDT for cross-border payments, particularly in commodity trading. He views stablecoins as a potential “game-changer” in this arena, as they can significantly streamline the payment process.
In contrast to conventional credit transfers that tend to be slower, USDT transactions via blockchain occur much more quickly, with confirmation taking only a few seconds.
“This is a sector where we plan to allocate considerable resources because we recognize the transformative potential of USDT,” Ardoino stated.
Furthermore, Tether has been investing in various “small companies worldwide,” with a substantial number located in developing nations and emerging markets. Other ongoing investments include the brain-computer interface technology firm Blackrock Neurotech and AI infrastructure company Northern Data Group, according to Ardoino.