Tether Brings USDT Back to Bitcoin

Tether is relaunching its USDT stablecoin on the Bitcoin network in October 2026, marking a return to the original blockchain after a 12-year absence. The USDT, valued at $184 billion, will be reissued using the RGB protocol, which keeps most transaction data private off the public ledger.

This move could potentially make Bitcoin a more viable payments network, but it's not a guarantee. The relaunch will connect Bitcoin directly with USDT, but the majority of USDT transactions still occur on Tron and Ethereum.

According to Paolo Ardoino, Tether CEO, 'It's coming home.' But for now, this move is primarily beneficial for Tether, as it allows the company to reach new users. The relaunch will also integrate USDT into the Lightning Network, which could help alleviate high fees and long wait times during periods of high demand.

While this move could potentially increase payment activity on Bitcoin, it's not a sure thing. Bitcoin's design can hinder heavy payment traffic, and it remains to be seen whether this relaunch will significantly increase payment activity on the network.