Stablecoin Giant Hits Historic Milestone

Tether's USDt has achieved a record-breaking $160 billion market capitalization, solidifying its position as the world's most dominant stablecoin. CEO Paolo Ardoino announced the milestone on July 17, calling it proof of USDt's growing role as a "digital dollar" alternative in emerging markets.

Blockchain Distribution Shows Tron Dominance

Data from DefiLlama reveals an uneven distribution across blockchains:
• Tron leads with 【$81 billion】 in USDt supply
• Ethereum follows with 【$65 billion】
• Other chains (BNB, Solana, Polygon) collectively hold under 【$10 billion】

Backing and Financial Performance

Tether's latest attestation reports show:
• 【81.5%】 of reserves in cash and short-term US Treasurys
• 【5.1%】 allocated to Bitcoin holdings
• Q1 2025 operating profit exceeded 【$1 billion】

——"Our US Treasury holdings now rival national reserves," Ardoino noted in his announcement——

Regulatory Landscape and Market Trends

The stablecoin sector continues expanding despite legislative hurdles:
• 2024 transaction volumes surpassed Visa and Mastercard combined
• GENIUS Act faces House vote after Senate approval
• Tether recently discontinued USDt support on 5 smaller blockchains

Emerging Market Adoption

Tether reports accelerating growth:
• Used by over 【400 million】 people globally
• Adding 【35 million】 new wallets quarterly
• Particularly strong in regions with volatile local currencies

The company minted 【$4 billion】 in new USDt last week alone, reflecting sustained demand for dollar-pegged digital assets. As traditional finance giants like JPMorgan explore stablecoins, Tether's market dominance faces new challenges despite its current lead.