USDT Holders Face US-Driven Asset Freeze Risk

Russian cryptocurrency owners are being warned about the risk of having their assets frozen in USDT, a stablecoin and one of the most widely used digital currencies globally. According to experts, access to such funds may be restricted by a decision of the U.S. administration.

Petr Fradkov, chairman of PSB Bank, a key institution for the Russian military-industrial complex, warned about the threat of freezing Russians' cryptocurrency assets. He noted that Tether Limited retains full control over the USDT it has issued and can 'freeze' funds in accounts not only linked to illegal activities but also at the direction of the U.S. administration.

Such precedents already exist, with large assets belonging to individuals from Iran and Russia having been frozen in recent years, Fradkov said. He emphasized that Tether Limited's dependence on the dollar and the U.S. debt market is fundamental and not going anywhere.