Tether (USDT) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, surpassing $160 billion in total market capitalization for the first time. This record comes as the company faces mounting regulatory challenges that could reshape the entire stablecoin industry.
The achievement represents significant growth momentum for Tether, which minted $3 billion in new USDT tokens within just 24 hours.
Tether(@Tether_to) just minted another 1B $USDT!
That’s 3B $USDT minted in under 24 hours — massive funds are pouring into the crypto market!https://t.co/Hpn4LisKe2https://t.co/jIdUKljlfK pic.twitter.com/gVJRGx5dPl
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) July 17, 2025
CEO Paolo Ardoino called this a “mind-blowing milestone” that demonstrates USDT’s critical role as a digital dollar alternative for billions of users in developing nations.
160B USDt
A new mind-blowing milestone, a statement of the unrivaled utility of USDt as the digital dollar for billions of people living in emerging markets and developing countries.
Thanks for your support ♥️
— Paolo Ardoino 🤖 (@paoloardoino) July 16, 2025
Market Dominance of Tether Under Threat
Despite controlling approximately 65% of the global stablecoin market, Tether confronts serious regulatory headwinds.
The recently passed GENIUS Act in the U.S. Senate introduces strict requirements for stablecoin issuers, including mandatory full reserve backing, transparent audits, and regulatory licensing.
These new rules directly challenge Tether’s current operational structure. The company’s reserves include a mix of cash equivalents (81.5%), bitcoin (5.1%), and other assets, backed by partial attestations rather than comprehensive audits.
Under the GENIUS Act’s framework, this approach may become insufficient for continued U.S. market operations.
The legislation provides transition periods—three years under the Senate version and 18 months under the House proposal. This timeline could force Tether to either restructure its reserves completely or potentially exit the American market.
Ripple’s upcoming RLUSD stablecoin stands positioned to benefit significantly from these regulatory changes. Unlike Tether, RLUSD has proactively pursued regulatory compliance, with BNY Mellon serving as custodian and the U.S. Treasury backing its reserves.
Circle’s USDC also gains competitive advantages under the new regulatory framework.
Market analysts predict potential capital migration from USDT to compliant alternatives if the GENIUS Act becomes law. This shift could fundamentally alter stablecoin market dynamics, potentially ending Tether’s long-standing dominance.
Beyond stablecoins, Tether continues expanding into artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and bitcoin mining.
The company generated approximately $13 billion in profits during 2024 while holding over 100,000 bitcoin, demonstrating its financial strength despite regulatory uncertainties ahead.
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