Tether, also known as USDT, is a cryptocurrency that’s tied to the value of the US dollar. Launched in 2014, USDT aims to provide price stability and liquidity to cryptocurrency markets by maintaining a value of approximately $1 per coin. Let’s explore how Tether works and what its future holds.
What is the purpose of Tether (USDT) coin?
The primary purpose of USDT is to serve as a stablecoin – a cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to real-world assets like fiat currencies. By maintaining a stable $1 value, USDT aims to reduce volatility for cryptocurrency traders and exchanges. This allows crypto holders to move in and out of fiat currencies like dollars quickly without having to deal with market fluctuations.
How Tether (USDT) crypto works?
Tether claims to maintain its $1 peg through a 1:1 backing of USDT tokens with an equivalent amount of fiat currency reserves like the US dollar. As new USDT enters circulation through authorized resellers or cryptocurrency exchanges, Tether promises to hold the equivalent amount in its bank accounts. This reserves backing is meant to instill confidence that each USDT can be redeemed for $1.
However, Tether’s reserves have faced scrutiny over claims of incomplete audits. Still, the stablecoin manages to retain its value through high liquidity across major crypto exchanges. When a user buys USDT with dollars, those fiat funds go towards increasing Tether’s reserves. Selling USDT back for dollars does the reverse. Overall, Tether derivatives its perceived value from its promised peg to the US dollar via reserves. Nowadays, almost everyone can get crypto news very fast thanks to EXEcrypto.
Does Tether (USDT) token have a future?
Despite previous controversies regarding its reserves, Tether continues to dominate the stablecoin market thanks to immense trading volumes and widespread exchange listings. As cryptocurrency trading and DeFi grow in the coming years, there is an increased demand for stable digital assets. This bodes well for USDT maintaining, if not expanding its huge market presence.
However, competition from other stablecoins like USD Coin (USDC) and decentralized options like DAI could pose challenges. Increased regulation may also force changes to Tether’s business model. But as the original and largest stablecoin by far, Tether is likely here to stay as the leading intermediary between fiat and cryptocurrencies. Overall, the future remains bright for USDT as crypto adoption accelerates globally.
When Tether (USDT) coin launched?
Tether was launched in 2014 by the owners of Bitfinex, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges at the time. Interestingly, Tether and Bitfinex are owned and operated by the same small group of individuals. The first USDT tokens went live on the Omni Layer protocol, using the Omni blockchain to record USDT transactions. Later in 2015, Tether expanded to the Ethereum network as well.
Over the years, Tether has grown massively from a market cap of a few million dollars to over $80 billion currently. Its success stems from being the first stablecoin in the market and success at onboarding major exchanges from a very early phase of cryptocurrency trading. USDT has undoubtedly come a long way since its inception to become the most adopted stablecoin globally.
Is Tether (USDT) crypto a scam?
There have been many allegations over the years that Tether is an elaborate banking scam or ponzi scheme. The primary controversy surrounds doubts about Tether’s reserves backing each USDT token. Despite auditor reports, full transparency has not been provided into Tether’s bank balances and accounting. There is reasonable suspicion that at times in the past, Tether may have printed USDT without sufficient dollar reserves.
However, it’s difficult to definitively prove any criminal activity has occurred. Tether remains solvent with a market cap of tens of billions, indicating continued user trust. Many view concerns over reserves as overblown as long as USDT maintains its $1 price peg. Overall, while Tether’s practices are certainly questionable, most analysts agree there is no conclusive proof it is an outright scam.
Is it safe to invest in Tether (USDT) token?
As a stablecoin, USDT is significantly less risky than investing in short-term cryptocurrency price fluctuations. One USDT will always be valued close to $1 USD. So technically, USDT is a fairly safe cryptocurrency investment if you plan to sell back to fiat currency in the short term.
However, holding USDT long-term does carry some danger. Regulatory crackdowns could impact Tether’s business model. A bank run from losing its dollar peg is also theoretically possible, though unlikely. Overall, as long as you keep a close eye on developments and don’t hodl large USDT sums long-term, it presents reasonable risk as a store of value between tradingassets or cashing out crypto profits. Just keep in mind that no investment is entirely without risk.
Is Tether (USDT) coin worth it? USDT Price 2023
As the conditions that led to USDT’s initial success show no signs of reversing, there is strong reason to believe Tether will retain much of its value and market dominance through 2023 and beyond. With growing DeFi and cryptocurrency trading volumes fueling demand for stable intermediary assets, USDT fills this role better than any other option.
Of course, short-term price swings of a penny or two in either direction are always possible with any asset. But barring an extremely unexpected turn of events like an abrupt loss of reserves backing, USDT is very likely to continue trading close to its $1 peg next year. Therefore, for purposes of short-term stablecoin holdings or bridging between cryptos and fiat, USDT absolutely remains worth considering through 2023 and the foreseeable future.
Where to buy Tether (USDT) crypto?
Some top exchanges to purchase USDT include Binance, OKX, Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Bybit. These centralized platforms allow trading USDT against fiat currencies like USD as well as swapping against other major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. OKX in particular has excellent liquidity and low fees for USDT pairs.
Peer-to-peer crypto marketplace Paxful also facilitates direct person-to-person USDT trades with cash deposit options. For DeFi users, decentralized exchanges on Ethereum like Uniswap provide competitive USDT swap rates without relying on a middleman. Overall, major centralized and decentralized platforms alike offer reliable access to buy Tether’s stablecoin.
How to sell Tether (USDT) token?
The process to sell USDT is essentially the reverse of purchasing. The main options are:
Sell USDT for fiat currency like USD on centralized exchanges like Binance by selecting the USDT-USD pairing in your spot account. Then withdraw funds to your bank.
Swap USDT for another cryptocurrency with larger exchanges or liquidity on Uniswap. This trades it for an asset you can more easily sell later if desired.
Sell USDT directly to another user via a P2P marketplace. Escrow and careful trader selection is important for safety.
If holding USDT on Ethereum, convert it back to fiat through wrap/unwrap protocols on decentralized stablecoin projects.
No matter the route, maintaining USDT’s dollar peg means you can cash out stably near the same value you purchased for – aside from any exchange/gas fees involved.
How to stake Tether (USDT) coin?
Unfortunately, USDT cannot be technically staked since it is a stablecoin backed 1:1 by dollar reserves. However, some centralized cryptocurrency exchanges do offer USDT savings accounts that effectively act as staking.
For example, Binance offers flexible and locked savings accounts paying up to 7% annual interest on USDT holdings. Similarly, cryptocurrency platforms like Crypto.com and Nexo provide lending services generating interest on deposited USDT. Rates tend to be low but provide a small yield not possible through direct USDT holdings.
However, these interest accounts come with risk of platform insolvency. For truly risk-free USDT, HODLing remains the safest play. Staking stablecoins with variable pegs could have more earning potential but comes with its own stability trade-offs.
How to mine Tether (USDT) crypto?
It’s not possible to directly mine Tether tokens since USDT is a cryptocurrency powered by a centralized issuer rather than a mineable blockchain. As a stablecoin, USDT distribution depends on customer demand being met with newly printed tokens backed by real dollar reserves.