The Paolo Ardoino-led company shared the milestone with its 546,000 followers on X, calling for celebrations.
Tether Hits 500 Million Users Globally
Founded in 2014 as Realcoin by Brock Pierce, Reeve Collins, and Craig Sellars, Tether has now emerged as the most widely used digital dollar in global trade. The firm also revealed plans to release a documentary film shot in Kenya, showcasing how USDT has transformed cross-border transactions and its difference-making impact in underserved markets.
According to DeFiLlama data, Plasma attracted over $6 billion in total value locked (TVL) within a week of its launch, reflecting positive market response.
User-base Data Highlights Split in Stablecoin Demographics
Rival stablecoin issuer Circle (USDC) reported 87 million unique wallet addresses globally as of Q1 2025, according to data from Coinlaw. Tether’s 500 million verified user count means it now commands an 82% larger active user base compared to USDC.
However, the gap narrows in terms of market capitalization. Tether’s $182 billion market value exceeds USDC’s $76.7 billion by only 58%, suggesting that despite Tether’s wider adoption, its users hold smaller average balances.
A deeper breakdown shows that USDT’s $182 billion capitalization equates to roughly $364 per user, whereas USDC’s $76.7 billion divided among its 90 million users averages about $852 per user. This disparity emphasizes how USDC caters predominantly to institutional users, while USDT enjoys broader retail penetration, particularly in regions with restricted access to US dollars.
According to CoinGecko data, the total global stablecoin market capitalization currently stands near $316 billion, with Tether and Circle collectively accounting for over 82% of that figure.
Analysts at Citibank project that this figure could surpass $1 trillion by 2030, fueled by the expansion of tokenized Treasury markets and real-world asset (RWA) adoption.
.@Citi's latest projections reveal something bigger than payments.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
I’m a research analyst with experience supporting Web3 startups and financial organizations through data-driven insights and strategic analysis. My goal is to help organizations make smarter decisions by bridging the gap between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
With a background in Economics, I bring a solid understanding of market dynamics, financial systems, and the broader economic forces shaping the crypto industry. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies at the University of Malta, where I’m expanding my expertise in decentralized systems, smart contracts, and real-world blockchain applications.
I’m especially interested in project evaluation, tokenomics, and ecosystem growth strategies, as these are areas where innovation can drive lasting impact. By combining my academic foundation with hands-on experience, I aim to provide meaningful insights that add value to both the financial and blockchain sectors.
