As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the financial industry, I’ve witnessed the evolution of digital assets from a curiosity to an integral part of the global economy. Tether’s growth over the past decade is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of these innovative platforms. The company’s strategic moves, such as its new approach toward authorities and the appointment of Paolo Ardoino as CEO, have undeniably contributed to its success. However, the challenges posed by regulators, especially in Europe, remain formidable obstacles that could potentially impact Tether’s future dominance.
Tether celebrated its 10-year milestone with a significant surge in its user count. As reported by the stablecoin provider itself, it boasted 350 million users on October 7, representing a 148% growth from the 141 million users it had in 2022.
The significant expansion of Tether’s USDT (USDT) during the last two years might be partly due to stricter regulations in the U.S., which have increased the stress on American cryptocurrency businesses following the FTX incident in November 2022, causing them to seek out stablecoin alternatives like USDT.
Due to intensified oversight by regulators and the 2023 banking crisis causing temporary instability in USD Coin (USDC), many users decided to shift their funds away from American platforms, due to worries about regulatory dangers and financial system stability. Although market circumstances have changed since then, Tether has managed to keep a substantial number of these users.
The company has adapted its strategy when dealing with government entities. For example, Tether once declined to voluntarily block wallets suspected of unlawful activities like terrorism financing in 2022. However, by December 2023, it had partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and boasted about being a top-tier collaborator for U.S law enforcement agencies.
A significant change occurred when Paolo Ardoino was named as the new chief executive officer. Having joined the company in 2017, Ardoino has also adjusted his stance on social media regarding Tether’s compliance and partnership with regulatory bodies since taking over as CEO.
The market dominance of Tether (USDT) is evident through its share. As I write this, USDT holds nearly 70% of the stablecoin market, boasting a market capitalization of approximately $120 billion. However, it currently confronts fresh regulatory challenges in Europe.
In December 2024, a second wave of regulations for stablecoins by the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is scheduled to take effect. This has led some digital platforms to remove USDT and other stablecoins from their offerings over the recent months. Previously, Ardoino voiced criticisms towards these new rules, pointing out difficulties such as locating collaborators who can meet conditions like depositing assets in multiple banks.
Tether’s assets are mainly secured by U.S. Treasury bonds, contributing significantly to its earnings during present interest rates. In the first half of 2024, the company achieved an unprecedented profit of $5.2 billion. Yet, the Federal Reserve’s accommodative monetary policy could potentially affect this income in the upcoming months.
This week’s Crypto Business Insight delves into the following topics: Canary’s application for an XRP-based ETF, Wirex’s launch of non-custodial payment solutions, VanEck’s latest venture fund, and Hong Kong’s plan to grant crypto licensing to exchanges.
Canary Capital follows Bitwise in filing for spot XRP ETF
As a researcher delving into the intricacies of digital assets, I found myself intrigued by recent developments. On October 8th, Canary Capital submitted an application to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). Interestingly, this follows in the footsteps of Bitwise’s similar filing a week prior. The proposed ETF aims to offer investors a direct investment avenue into XRP without the necessity of personally holding the asset. To track XRP’s price, it would utilize the CME CF Ripple index. If either Canary Capital or Bitwise’s applications receive approval from the SEC, it would mark the first spot XRP fund to be green-lit by the regulator. However, it’s important to note that there are substantial obstacles on the horizon due to ongoing legal issues surrounding XRP.
Wirex Pay launches non-custodial crypto payments
Wirex, a money app within the Web3 realm, unveiled its unique payment-focused blockchain system. Dubbed Wirex Pay, this solution is a non-custodial cryptocurrency payment application intended to boost security and user autonomy over funds. The app permits crypto transactions using private keys and multi-signature techniques, while supporting popular stablecoins such as Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC) and Dai (DAI) across 54 countries outside the United States. As per the company, users need to go through a setup phase involving card ordering and Know Your Customer validation before utilizing the app.
VanEck launches $30M ventures fund for crypto and AI
VanEck has unveiled a new investment fund named VanEck Ventures, dedicated to allocating a $30 million capital into budding fintech, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence companies. This fund is being headed by ex-executives from Circle Ventures, Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez. The primary focus of the fund will be on innovative projects within stablecoins, tokenized assets, and digital marketplaces. As per Lonergan’s statements, the emphasis on stablecoin initiatives is significant because stablecoins are anticipated to become a foundational “open-source banking layer.” The fund aims at making 25-35 investments, with each investment ranging between $500,000 and $1 million.
Hong Kong to license more crypto exchanges by end of year
By the year’s end, Hong Kong’s financial authority, the Securities Futures Commission (SFC), anticipates granting more licenses to cryptocurrency exchanges and digital asset firms operating within the region. SFC CEO Julia Leung expressed optimism that progress will be made in licensing the 11 Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) currently under consideration, with a total of 16 companies awaiting decisions on their VATP applications. Eleven of these companies are already functioning under a “deemed to be licensed” status.
As a crypto investor, I’m excited about the prospect of a “European Ledger” – a unified platform where all European digital assets and currencies converge. This idea, proposed by an ECB official, promises increased efficiency and harmony among our investments within Europe, making it more convenient for us all.
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2024-10-13 19:24