On January 27, Tether, the world's largest stablecoin issuer, officially announced the launch of its new USD stablecoin, USA₮ (USAT), specifically designed for the US market. This product is designed in accordance with the latest US federal stablecoin regulatory framework and issued by a federally regulated banking institution. It is seen as a significant step for Tether to re-enter the core financial system as the US policy environment becomes clearer.
Stablecoins for the US dollar designed specifically for the US system
USA₮ is a stablecoin regulated by the U.S. federal government and backed by the U.S. dollar. Its design fully complies with the federal stablecoin regulatory framework established by the U.S. GENIUS Act. Unlike USD₮ (USDT), which is widely circulated globally, USA₮ is explicitly targeted at the U.S. market, with its target users including U.S. financial institutions, trading platforms, and compliant payment systems.
Tether points out that USA₮ is not simply an extension of existing products, but a complete overhaul at the institutional level to ensure long-term stable operation in the highly regulated, compliance- and risk-controlled U.S. financial environment.
The issuing institution is Anchorage Digital Bank
The issuer of USA₮ is not Tether itself, but Anchorage Digital Bank, NA. This institution is the first cryptocurrency bank in the United States to obtain federal charter and is one of the few banks that can legally issue stablecoins under the US federal system.
Anchorage Digital Bank provides a bank-grade compliance architecture, combining on-chain transparency, risk management, and regulatory reporting mechanisms, enabling USA₮ to maintain institutional-grade operational stability under regulatory requirements.
Strengthening the dollar's position in the digital economy
In its announcement, Tether emphasized that the launch of USA₮ is not only part of the company's product strategy, but also seen as an important step in the continued expansion of the US dollar's influence in the digital age. Against the backdrop of global competition for dominance in digital currencies and payments, the United States has chosen federally regulated stablecoins as its core tool, and USA₮ represents a significant practical example of this system.
It is worth noting that Tether Group is currently the 17th largest holder of U.S. Treasury bonds globally, with a holding even larger than that of some sovereign nations. Through its dual-track system of USD₮ and USA₮, Tether continues to play a crucial role in promoting the digital circulation of the US dollar in global and U.S. markets.
A dual-product strategy running parallel to USD₮
Tether stated that USD₮, the world's most widely used stablecoin, will continue to operate in the international market and gradually adjust to comply with new US regulations; while USA₮ is specifically designed for the highly digitalized and strictly regulated financial system of the United States.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino pointed out that USD₮ has proven the practicality and credibility of the digital dollar globally, while USA₮ builds on this by providing the US market with a "Made in the USA, Federally Regulated" digital dollar option.
First wave of online platforms and market observations
According to the announcement, USA₮ will be launched on platforms such as Bybit, Crypto.com, Kraken, OKX, and MoonPay in the first phase. Tether also revealed that it is in talks with more compliant U.S. exchanges and banking partners to further expand the accessibility of USA₮ within the U.S. financial ecosystem.
The market generally believes that the launch of USA₮ symbolizes the formal implementation of the US stablecoin policy and may also have a demonstration effect on whether other financial institutions and technology companies will follow suit in issuing compliant stablecoins.
