Tether has invested $8 million in Bitcoin Speed, a startup that processes $1.5 billion in stablecoin payments annually via the Lightning Network, expanding its portfolio to more than 140 companies.
Tether, the world's largest stablecoin issuer, has led an $8 million Capital round for Speed, a startup that leverages Bitcoin's Lightning Network to support USDT transfers. This move marks Tether 's effort to promote the adoption of stablecoins for large-scale enterprise payments on Bitcoin's Second-Layer Solutions .
According to Tether 's statement on Tuesday, Speed's architecture has demonstrated the ability to operate in parallel between the Lightning Network and stablecoins to facilitate large-scale, low-cost, strictly compliant, and global money transfers. CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized that Speed's deployment and adoption rate signal that Bitcoin-based networks are ready to serve mass commerce.
Ego Death Capital, a fund specializing in Bitcoin ecosystem investments, also participated in this Capital round alongside Tether. Currently, Speed serves over 1.2 million users, including consumers, content creators, platforms, and business merchants, through its Speed Wallet and Speed Merchant products, processing over $1.5 billion worth of payments annually.
Tether 's diversified investment strategy
The investment in Speed aligns with Tether 's overall strategy of supporting Bitcoin-centric payment platforms and expanding the utility of the USDT stablecoin. Ardoino stated that the company is investing in teams that build practical infrastructure, helping to reduce friction in payments and expand access to reliable payment and settlement systems.
This move brings the total number of companies backed by Tether to over 140, reflecting its ambition to expand its operations from Bitcoin mining into diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, energy, finance, and even football teams. Much of this investment is funded by the enormous profits Tether has earned in recent years.
Tether 's primary source of revenue comes from interest on US Treasury bonds, the underlying asset of USDT – the world's largest stablecoin with a market Capital of $186.3 billion. The company recorded profits of over $10 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, following profits of $13.4 billion achieved in 2024.
With this impressive financial performance, Tether is now one of the most profitable companies per employee in the world, providing a solid foundation for the group's ambitious diversified investment strategy.
