Cryptocurrency Tether (USDT) is one of the attempts of cryptocurrency market players to create an asset with good profitability and relatively low volatility. At the same time, Tether has an ambiguous reputation: the cryptocurrency has had its failures and shortcomings. We will tell you how to invest in Tether correctly and whether it is worth it.
What is Tether?
Tether (USDT) is the world's first stablecoin (cryptocurrency pegged to the value of fiat currency), launched back in 2014 by bitcoin investor Brock Pierce, entrepreneur Reeve Collins, and software developer Craig Sellers.
It is also a cryptocurrency asset issued on the basis of the Bitcoin blockchain through the Omni Layer, Ethereum (ERC-20), TRON, EOS, Algorand, Solana and OMG Network protocols. Each USDT unit is backed by a US dollar held by Tether Limited and can be withdrawn through the Tether platform.
It is also a cryptocurrency asset issued on the basis of the Bitcoin blockchain through the Omni Layer, Ethereum (ERC-20), TRON, EOS, Algorand, Solana and OMG Network protocols. Each USDT unit is backed by a US dollar held by Tether Limited and can be withdrawn through the Tether platform.
Initially, the coin was called Realcoin. However, during the subsequent rebranding, she changed not only the name, but also the technology underlying it. In fact, this is the most popular stablecoin in the cryptocurrency market, which, as stated, is backed by US dollars in a ratio of 1:1. This cryptocurrency is presented on various blockchains, and over the past few years has shown an increase in trading volumes and increased liquidity.
Tether is an important part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As of mid-February 2022, this cryptocurrency was considered the third largest in the world with a market capitalization of almost $78.7 billion, behind only Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Tether is an important part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As of mid-February 2022, this cryptocurrency was considered the third largest in the world with a market capitalization of almost $78.7 billion, behind only Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Now the USDT exchange rate to the dollar is $1.
Development team
A few words about the team that oversees the development of the token and is responsible for the implementation of all investment and innovative ideas.
Tether is led by Stanley Hainsworth, who was previously vice president of marketing at Starbucks, where he was responsible for all creative projects.
Other members of the Tether team are smartphone users who were frustrated that BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android restricted access to certain sites. While working on a new option for a fast, easy binding that would provide full access to various services on the Internet, the idea of creating Tether was born.
However, it cannot be stated unequivocally that Tether is so unique, rather it is specific and belongs to a whole group of hybrid coins, which are called stablecoins.
Tether is led by Stanley Hainsworth, who was previously vice president of marketing at Starbucks, where he was responsible for all creative projects.
Other members of the Tether team are smartphone users who were frustrated that BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android restricted access to certain sites. While working on a new option for a fast, easy binding that would provide full access to various services on the Internet, the idea of creating Tether was born.
However, it cannot be stated unequivocally that Tether is so unique, rather it is specific and belongs to a whole group of hybrid coins, which are called stablecoins.
What are stablecoins?
Stablecoin (from the English stablecoin) is the general name of cryptocurrencies that are tied to stocks of conventional currencies or physical goods (gold, oil) and whose exchange rates are subject to less fluctuations than typical cryptocurrencies.
According to Brenn Hill Consulting, stablecoins have an obvious drawback - the level of trust in a centralized exchange mechanism necessary to maintain the rate contradicts the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies.
In the absence of centralization, the risk of non-performance by the other party of obligations is similar to the risk on the commodity exchange - where, however, in case of non-performance by one of the participants in the contract, the exchange takes responsibility.
When creating stablecoins based on the US dollar, an obvious solution to create reserves is to invest the dollars received for cryptocurrency in US debt bonds in an attempt to keep the system functioning at the expense of the interest received.
As Brenn Hill Consulting points out, this business model was tried out on a massive scale by PayPal, which initially tried to avoid any transaction fees — and didn't succeed.
When creating stablecoins based on the US dollar, an obvious solution to create reserves is to invest the dollars received for cryptocurrency in US debt bonds in an attempt to keep the system functioning at the expense of the interest received.
As Brenn Hill Consulting points out, this business model was tried out on a massive scale by PayPal, which initially tried to avoid any transaction fees — and didn't succeed.
According to the consulting company, this is not exactly an ordinary cryptocurrency, which was developed as a cryptographically secure equivalent of all conventional currencies pegged to the United States dollar (USD). Due to this, it has some advantages in use compared to other digital money.
Tether vs Bitcoin
The Omni platform is an additional software layer that runs on top of the main blockchain code. Tether uses it to create and operate its tokens on the blockchain.
Unlike Bitcoin, Tether tokens are not backed by reserves of fiat money, which are stored in the accounts of Tether Limited.
Bitcoin was developed primarily to serve as an alternative to traditional currencies and eliminate the need for intermediaries in money transfers, such as banks.
In turn, Tether was designed specifically to integrate traditional money into the blockchain by converting it into a digital asset. Since the blockchain is considered to be the most secure system for storing and transmitting data today, many developers prefer to create digital assets based on it.
Unlike Bitcoin, Tether tokens are not backed by reserves of fiat money, which are stored in the accounts of Tether Limited.
Bitcoin was developed primarily to serve as an alternative to traditional currencies and eliminate the need for intermediaries in money transfers, such as banks.
In turn, Tether was designed specifically to integrate traditional money into the blockchain by converting it into a digital asset. Since the blockchain is considered to be the most secure system for storing and transmitting data today, many developers prefer to create digital assets based on it.
Cryptocurrency Tether: main perspectives
Through the use of a unique concept, the Tether cryptocurrency managed to gain momentum to form its own market that combines fiat money with cryptocurrency assets.
Therefore, the USDT cryptocurrency has all the necessary components for further popularization by providing users with the best platform for exchanging fiat money for crypto.
However, there is an alternative view. According to some analysts, most of the reserve funds were withdrawn by the creators of the coin to offshore accounts, so we can talk about the fictitiousness of the announced quotes of the token.
If this information is confirmed, crypto exchanges using this coin for transactions may be seriously affected, which will have a negative impact on the state of the international cryptocurrency market as a whole.
The leadership of the American Futures Commission has already sent an official request to the creators of the USDT coin, where they asked to indicate the amount of funds in reserve accounts. Several months have passed since the request was sent, but the Tether team has not responded to the request.
Therefore, the USDT cryptocurrency has all the necessary components for further popularization by providing users with the best platform for exchanging fiat money for crypto.
However, there is an alternative view. According to some analysts, most of the reserve funds were withdrawn by the creators of the coin to offshore accounts, so we can talk about the fictitiousness of the announced quotes of the token.
If this information is confirmed, crypto exchanges using this coin for transactions may be seriously affected, which will have a negative impact on the state of the international cryptocurrency market as a whole.
The leadership of the American Futures Commission has already sent an official request to the creators of the USDT coin, where they asked to indicate the amount of funds in reserve accounts. Several months have passed since the request was sent, but the Tether team has not responded to the request.