Half a Billion People Are Now Using USDT and Tether Says This Is Just the Beginning

By Emir Abyazov

The global adoption of Tether’s USDT stablecoin has crossed 500 million users — a milestone that highlights how digital dollars are reshaping real-world finance. Tether says the figure represents actual people, not just wallet counts, making it one of the most significant moments in financial inclusion.

Source: X

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino called the surge in adoption “likely the biggest financial inclusion achievement in history,” noting that stablecoins are now reaching populations traditional banking has failed to serve.

According to the World Bank, 1.4 billion adults still lack access to financial services. USDT offers a simple workaround: anyone with a smartphone can secure, store, and transfer money without relying on banks, frozen accounts, or unstable national currencies.

This trend is especially strong in countries facing inflation, currency controls, and economic instability. For many, stablecoins are becoming a financial lifeline, not a speculative asset.

Kenya emerges as a case study in survival

Tether marked its user milestone by releasing a short documentary from Kenya, where communities are using USDT “not for speculation, but for survival.” 

Small businesses in the region are increasingly relying on stablecoins to pay suppliers as local currencies weaken and cross-border banking remains slow and costly.

Tether dominates the stablecoin market

USDT continues to lead the sector with a $182.4 billion market cap, accounting for more than 58% of the entire stablecoin market. 

Stablecoin Market Cap. Source: Coinglass

Meanwhile, corporate and institutional use is accelerating as companies turn to stablecoins for faster settlements, hedging, and on-chain finance.

Reports also suggest Tether is in talks to raise up to $20 billion, potentially valuing the company at around $500 billion — a figure that would put it among the most valuable private firms on the planet.

While markets remain volatile, USDT’s growth signals a powerful long-term shift: digital dollars are spreading faster than traditional banking ever did. For millions, stablecoins are no longer an experiment — they are becoming the default way to store and move money.

Source:: Half a Billion People Are Now Using USDT and Tether Says This Is Just the Beginning