Tether’s stablecoin to be integrated on Bitcoin Lightning
Lightning Labs has announced the integration of Tether's USDT stablecoin with the Bitcoin Lightning Network, utilizing the Taproot Assets protocol. This development, revealed at the Plan B conference in San Salvador on January 30, is set to enable merchants accepting Bitcoin to also process USDT transactions through the same infrastructure. Tether, the largest stablecoin with a market cap of $139.4 billion, aims to expand its ecosystem as it processed $10 trillion in transactions in 2024. According to Stark, this integration broadens accessibility to a secure blockchain and provides a stable currency option for users in emerging markets, particularly as a hedge against local currency devaluation. The partnership may also facilitate transactions with autonomous vehicles and support USDT micropayments. The integration is particularly relevant given Bitcoin's legal tender status in El Salvador, which has struggled with adoption since its 2021 rollout of Bitcoin Lightning Network support.
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