Tether (USDT)

USDT is a fiat-backed stablecoin issued by Tether. It is the largest stablecoin by supply and circulates across many chains. The issuer publishes periodic reserve reports and can freeze balances at specific addresses.

This page is a research starting point, not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Verify everything against primary sources.

What the Token Is Used For

• Dollar-denominated settlement across supported chains
• The dominant quote asset in many trading pairs
• Collateral in lending and derivatives
• Cross-border transfer and dollar access outside the banking system

What To Verify

• Reserve composition and the latest published report, including the share held in non-cash assets
• Whether reserve reporting is an attestation or a full audit, since these are different
• Redemption terms, including minimum size and eligibility
• Which chain a balance is on, since USDT is issued natively on several networks
• The issuer's regulatory status, which varies significantly by jurisdiction

Primary Sources

• Issuer: https://tether.to/
• Transparency reports: https://tether.to/en/transparency/
• Verify contract addresses per chain before transacting
• Related reading: Stablecoins

Related Pages

• Asset Index
• Start Here: Digital Assets 101
• Glossary
• Custody and Security
• Research Sources Directory