Thailand has taken a significant step forward in its digital asset effort by granting regulatory approval to USDT (Tether), the world’s largest stablecoin, for trading and payments on regulated exchanges.
The country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed that new rules allowing USDT transactions will take effect on March 16, 2025.
This move is seen as a strategic way to foster digital asset innovation while ensuring a robust regulatory framework that benefits investors, businesses, and the broader financial ecosystem.
Tether X Thailand SEC: The Beginning of A New Regulatory Favor For Tether?
Tether, the issuer of USDT, hailed the development as a landmark achievement, emphasizing that it enables the stablecoin to be listed on
Thai-licensed exchanges and used for transactions within the country’s growing digital economy. This regulatory milestone aligns with Thailand’s broader strategy of becoming a leading blockchain and digital asset adoption hub.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino expressed optimism about the Thai market, stating,
“We highly value the Thai market and are continuously exploring ways to enhance our services. Our priority is to provide users in Thailand with a secure, transparent, and reliable stablecoin experience.”
Thailand has long been one of the most crypto-friendly countries in Asia, ranking among the top 20 globally in digital asset adoption.
With USDT already accounting for around 40% of the country’s crypto trading volume, its official approval is expected to further boost market activity and financial inclusion.
Tether’s Regulatory Battles and Global Scrutiny
Tether’s success in Thailand comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the United States.
The stablecoin issuer has been embroiled in a battle with U.S. regulators, with some lawmakers pushing for stricter oversight of foreign stablecoin issuers.
Paolo Ardoino recently accused rival stablecoin companies of leveraging regulatory tactics to hinder USDT’s growth.
He referred to their strategies as “lawfare,” suggesting that competitors were using legal frameworks to push Tether out of key markets.
His remarks came in response to Vance Spencer, co-founder of Framework Ventures, who warned that U.S. stablecoin regulations might restrict foreign issuers from accessing the U.S. Treasury market.
Spencer argued that such measures could weaken international stablecoin issuers like Tether, ultimately limiting the global reach of the U.S. dollar.
Despite regulatory pressures, Tether remains dominant in the stablecoin industry, with over $142 billion in market capitalization and $115 billion in U.S. Treasury holdings.
Ardoino reaffirmed that Tether would continue expanding its global presence, stressing that regulatory challenges would not deter the company from providing financial solutions to underserved communities worldwide.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is debating the GENIUS Act, a bill to establish clearer regulations for stablecoin issuers.
While proponents argue it will enhance transparency and stability, critics fear it could limit competition and drive innovation offshore.
Tether’s Global Expansion and Technological Advancements
Thailand is not the only country embracing the USDT. On February 17, 2025, Tether signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Guinea to explore blockchain adoption and integrate digital asset solutions into the nation’s financial ecosystem.
@Tether_to partners with Guinea to drive blockchain adoption, focusing on education and digital transformation.#blockchain #tether #usdthttps://t.co/2Nruuo5gdU
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) February 17, 2025
The partnership focuses on education, innovation, and blockchain-based financial services to support Guinea’s economic transformation.
Beyond regulatory and market expansion, Tether is also advancing its technological capabilities.
Tether is expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives with several new applications in development, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino.#Tether #AIhttps://t.co/ZFtibJ9LWP
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) February 6, 2025
The company has ramped up efforts in artificial intelligence (AI) development, unveiling projects such as AI Translate, AI Voice Assistant, and an AI-powered Bitcoin Wallet Assistant.
As it stands now, Thailand might have just opened the door for USDT. More importantly, with the official regulatory approval given to Tether, other countries like the US might also follow by concluding their GENIUS Act soon.
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