Tether has announced the integration of USDt into Bitcoin’s ecosystem, including both its base layer and the Lightning Network, according to a statement made today at the Plan ₿ Forum in El Salvador. This integration, powered by the Taproot Assets protocol developed by Lightning Labs, combines Bitcoin’s decentralization and security with the efficiency of Lightning, unlocking new use cases for stablecoin transactions.
USDt, which serves over 350 million users, aims to expand its reach in the AI-driven economy, remittances, and cross-border payments. “Tether is committed to driving innovation in the Bitcoin ecosystem,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “By enabling USDt on the Lightning Network, we are reinforcing Bitcoin’s foundational principles while creating practical solutions for financial applications that demand both speed and reliability.”
Lightning Labs CEO Elizabeth Stark added, “Bringing USDt to Bitcoin combines the security and decentralization of Bitcoin with the speed and scalability of Lightning.” USDt maintains a $140 billion market capitalization as of January 2025, with integration across more than 80 blockchain networks globally. The stablecoin currently operates with minimal transaction fees on networks like Tron and Solana, which offer sub-cent fees. The collaboration between Tether and Lightning Labs continues to focus on integration development to facilitate adoption among developers and users, expanding Bitcoin’s utility beyond a store of value.
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