As a seasoned analyst with years of experience delving into the intricacies of the digital economy, I can confidently say that USDT’s growth is nothing short of phenomenal. Having witnessed the rise and fall of numerous cryptocurrencies, I must admit that USDT’s consistent expansion across multiple platforms and its increasing adoption as a viable alternative to fiat currencies in economically unstable regions is truly remarkable.
Tether (USDT), a stablecoin created by Tether Holdings Ltd., a blockchain-focused company, has gained significant global popularity on both decentralized and centralized trading platforms. Recently, USDT reached an impressive milestone with approximately 330 million users in Q3 of 2024. Its daily volume fluctuation is minimal at 0.1%, while its market capitalization stands at a substantial $119.96 billion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $49.09 billion.
Tether USDT’s Oustanding Growth
The company’s statement indicates that this number is similar to the population of the United States, demonstrating the extensive use of USDT. However, it’s important to note that the 330 million users referred to are on-chain account holders, meaning those who utilize USDT directly through blockchain accounts. Excluded from this count are the millions of users who interact with USDT on various centralized platforms. The circulating supply of USDT, as reported by CoinMarketCap, is currently 119 billion.
The actual number of users for USDT is likely greater than the reported 330 million, given that the platform has seen a steady increase in its user base every quarter, with each quarter exceeding the preceding one.
Over the past four quarters, I’ve seen an average increase of 9% in my crypto investments. The third quarter of 2024 was particularly impressive with a whopping 36.25 million users recorded, making it the busiest period. The rapid expansion of USDT can be traced back to its versatility, as it’s now accessible across various blockchain platforms such as TON, Tron, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and Ethereum.
In a simpler phrase, when it comes to handling USDT transactions, Tron (TRX), Ethereum (ETH), and Binance Smart Chain are typically chosen. On the other hand, Optimism, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Solana, and Polygon – well-known Ethereum Layer 2 solutions – have seen the swiftest growth in the past year.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the TON blockchain has experienced rapid expansion since integrating USDT. In a mere six-month period, it gained approximately 3.3 million new users, which equates to roughly 1% of all USDT users active on the chain. This surge suggests an increasing preference for using USDT on the TON blockchain.
USDT as an Alternative to Fiat Currencies
According to a recent report by Coinspeaker, Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, believes that USDT (Tether) has grown beyond being just a cryptocurrency, becoming an essential digital dollar on a global scale instead. Normally, USDT provides investors with an alternative way to invest in the crypto market. Due to its stability, this stablecoin has become a preferred choice among traders for both holding and trading purposes.
Nevertheless, Ardoino points out that the role of USDT extends beyond cryptocurrency trading. He underscores the increasing use of USDT in countries experiencing economic volatility, such as Argentina and Turkey. Previously, residents in these regions would turn to black markets to obtain US dollars as a means of storing value. Ardoino reveals that USDT now offers them a convenient and legitimate alternative.
As a researcher delving into the intricacies of digital currencies, I found it fascinating that Tether was formally acknowledged as a form of property under English law by the UK High Court. This groundbreaking case, serving as the United Kingdom’s inaugural comprehensive examination of cryptocurrency’s legal standing, sets an essential precedent for the development of their legal infrastructure – a crucial step forward in understanding and regulating this rapidly evolving field.
Although Tether has experienced significant expansion, it has been subjected to criticism due to accusations that it may be used for illicit activities by unscrupulous actors who employ USDT. Additionally, doubts have been raised about whether USDT is entirely covered by Tether’s reserves at a 100% ratio. However, Tether has attempted to dispel these doubts through regular auditing reports. To bolster its credibility, the stablecoin has also secured support from Cantor Fitzgerald, one of its institutional partners, for validation of its systems.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-17 10:22