Catenaa, Wednesday, March 12, 2025-Thailand has granted approval for USDT (Tether), the world’s leading stablecoin, to be traded and used for payments on regulated exchanges.
This decision, announced by the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will take effect on March 16, 2025.
It is seen as a major step toward enhancing Thailand’s digital asset ecosystem while providing a robust regulatory framework for both investors and businesses.
Tether, the issuer of USDT, welcomed the move, noting that it would allow the stablecoin to be listed on Thai-licensed exchanges and integrated into the country’s rapidly growing digital economy. Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO, expressed optimism about the Thai market, emphasizing the company’s goal to offer users in Thailand a secure and transparent stablecoin experience.
Thailand, known for its crypto-friendly environment, ranks among the top 20 countries globally in digital asset adoption. USDT already accounts for around 40% of the country’s crypto trading volume, and its official approval is expected to drive further market growth and financial inclusion.
The approval of USDT comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Tether, particularly in the U.S., where lawmakers are debating the GENIUS Act, which could impose stricter regulations on stablecoin issuers. Despite these challenges, Tether remains dominant in the stablecoin market with over $142 billion in market capitalization.
Tether’s global expansion efforts extend beyond Thailand. In February 2025, Tether signed an agreement with the government of Guinea to explore blockchain adoption as part of the country’s economic transformation.
