USDT Stablecoin Users Reach 500 Million
US dollar-pegged stablecoin Tether (USDT) has surpassed 500 million users, marking a major milestone for global financial inclusion. The company described the achievement as a turning point for people historically excluded from traditional banking systems.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino called the milestone “likely the biggest financial inclusion achievement in history” in a post on X. According to Tether, this number represents 500 million real people rather than wallet addresses, meaning roughly 6.25% of the world’s population has now used USDT.
A Global solution for the unbanked
The World Bank estimates that 1.4 billion adults worldwide lack access to formal banking. Stablecoins like USDT provide an alternative — anyone with a smartphone can download a crypto wallet, receive money, and store funds securely, bypassing traditional barriers to financial participation.
For people in high-inflation or politically unstable countries, cryptocurrency can serve as both a store of value and a means of protection against local currency devaluation or government seizure of assets.
USDT’s role in Kenya and beyond
To celebrate the milestone, Tether released a short documentary highlighting USDT adoption in Kenya, where citizens and small businesses increasingly use stablecoins “not for speculation, but for survival.” Ardoino noted that 37% of USDT users hold the token as a store of value.
The film showcased how Kenyan businesses rely on USDT to pay for imports amid the weakening shilling, helping them sustain operations and preserve purchasing power.
According to CoinGecko, USDT remains the dominant stablecoin with a market cap of $182.4 billion and a 58.4% market share, followed by Circle’s USDC at $76.8 billion.
Tether’s Growing Influence
In September, reports surfaced that Tether is in talks with investors to raise up to $20 billion at a $500 billion valuation, potentially making it one of the most valuable private companies globally. Financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald is said to be advising on the deal.
As Tether continues to expand into developing economies, its growing user base underscores how digital currencies can reshape access to global finance — transforming stablecoins from a trading tool into a lifeline for millions.
Sources:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/tethers-usdt-hits-500-million-users
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialinclusion/overview
https://x.com/paoloardoino/status/1980621793812512982