Tether, an influential stablecoin issuer in the cryptocurrency industry, often attracts attention for its significant share of the stablecoin market. Its main product, USDT, is a digital currency pegged to the US dollar and runs on multiple blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Tron, and Solana. According to Coingecko data, USDT is currently the third largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and leads in daily trading volume, with more than $30 billion in daily trading volume.
JPMorgan Chase's analysis
A recent analysis by banking giant Morgan Stanley suggests that Tether may need to sell some of its Bitcoin holdings if new U.S. stablecoin regulations are passed. Morgan Stanley emphasized in a report released on Wednesday that some assets in Tether's portfolio may not comply with U.S. legislative proposals aimed at increasing regulation and transparency in the stablecoin market. These legislative proposals are still under consideration and have not yet been finalized, focusing on ensuring that stablecoins are primarily backed by highly liquid and regulated assets, such as government securities.
Morgan Stanley noted in its assessment that Tether may need to adjust the composition of its reserves. If the regulations are ultimately passed as originally written, Morgan Stanley believes that Tether will be forced to replace non-compliant reserves with U.S. Treasuries or similar approved assets, including precious metals, corporate bonds, secured loans, and Bitcoin. The report states that Tether may be forced to "implicitly replace its non-compliant assets with compliant assets," a process that would involve selling certain investments and acquiring more government-backed securities, such as Treasury bills.
Tether’s Response
However, Tether has disputed these conclusions. A spokesperson for the company countered JPMorgan’s assessment by pointing out that Tether has more than $20 billion in total liquid assets and more than $1 billion in profits per quarter. Tether insists that the shift to any new reserve requirements will be “simple and straightforward.” Additionally, Tether’s CEO Paolo Ardoino said on social media that “JPMorgan analysts are jealous because they don’t have Bitcoin,” jokingly suggesting that the bank’s analysts may be jealous of Tether’s exposure to the cryptocurrency space. Another Tether spokesperson commented that JP Morgan “doesn’t understand Bitcoin or Tether,” suggesting that the bank missed out on an opportunity to buy Bitcoin at a lower price and is therefore still “jealous.”
Although Tether is closely monitoring U.S. policy proposals, it is not headquartered in the U.S. Prior to this, Tether was registered in the British Virgin Islands and recently moved to El Salvador. Especially given Tether’s international operations, it is unclear whether it will be forced to comply with potential new U.S. stablecoin regulations. A Tether spokesperson noted that the company is “closely following the evolution of different stablecoin bills in the U.S.” and “actively engaging with local regulators,” while emphasizing the need for consultation with industry participants to clarify which legislative proposals will be advanced.
Potential legislation and compliance
Stablecoins themselves are designed to maintain price stability by being pegged to a specific asset, usually a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar. These digital tokens allow cryptocurrency traders to quickly transfer funds without converting to traditional currencies. Tether is considered the largest stablecoin issuer. However, it has been under scrutiny from regulators and critics over the composition of its reserves, questioning whether Tether always holds enough liquid assets to back all issued tokens.
Regulatory attention to Tether’s reserves is not new. In 2021, Tether agreed to cease operations in New York following a two-year investigation by the state attorney general. The investigation concluded that Tether made “false statements” about the backing of its main stablecoin, USDT. Since then, Tether has been pointing to quarterly attestations and transparency reports as evidence of improved compliance. The company has also emphasized its cooperation with law enforcement to help freeze addresses suspected of involvement in criminal activity.
Hosting and Defense
In addition to its dealings with regulators, Tether has also been linked to investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, whose principal, Howard Lutnick, was picked by President Donald Trump to be Commerce Secretary. Cantor Fitzgerald provides custody services for Tether, and Lutnick voiced his support for the firm during his recent confirmation hearing. Despite occasional controversy and investigations, Tether has managed to maintain its position as a major liquidity provider in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Some observers believe that increased regulation could bring clarity and consumer protection to the cryptocurrency market. However, the exact outcome of the proposed U.S. stablecoin bill remains uncertain. It is possible that lawmakers will amend the legislation before a final vote, potentially reducing or changing the impact on companies like Tether. Currently, Tether's executives say they are ready to adapt to the new reserve requirements, but also believe that Morgan Stanley underestimated the company's financial strength.
In conclusion, Tether continues to attract interest and controversy as a major stablecoin issuer. The Morgan Stanley report claims that if stablecoin reserves are more strictly regulated, Tether may be forced to sell Bitcoin and other assets that are deemed non-compliant. However, Tether seems to believe that its expanding asset base and stable profits can help it meet regulatory requirements. It remains to be seen whether the proposed legislation will pass in its current form and whether Tether will indeed need to adjust its Bitcoin holdings.
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