Tether Brings USDT to Bitcoin Lightning Network, Expanding Payment Options

Tether has announced the integration of its flagship stablecoin, USDT, onto Bitcoin via the Lightning Network. The news was revealed on January 30 during the Bitcoin-focused Plan B conference in El Salvador, featuring key speakers Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and Lightning Labs CEO Elizabeth Stark.

The integration utilizes the Taproot Assets protocol, introduced in 2022, to extend Bitcoin’s capabilities for supporting tokenized assets. Elizabeth Stark expressed enthusiasm for the development, stating, “Millions of people will now be able to use the most open, secure blockchain to send dollars globally.”

Lightning Labs highlighted that this upgrade will benefit merchants already accepting Bitcoin payments through Lightning, enabling seamless USDT transactions using the same infrastructure.

Broader Stablecoin Adoption

Tether’s expansion onto the Lightning Network is a strategic move to broaden its stablecoin payment ecosystem. Stark emphasized that users in emerging markets could greatly benefit from this integration, as stablecoins often provide a hedge against currency devaluation.

According to CoinGecko, Tether is the world’s largest stablecoin , commanding a market cap of $139.4 billion — nearly three times that of its closest competitor, Circle’s USDC. In 2024, Tether processed $10 trillion in transactions, inching closer to Visa’s $16 trillion transaction volume.

Lightning Labs believes this development could power a future “wave” of AI-driven transactions and autonomous vehicle payments. Business development director Ryan Gentry also stressed the potential for innovation, particularly in enabling micropayments through USDT on Lightning.

Tether El Salvador Move and Bitcoin Ecosystem

The announcement comes shortly after Tether’s relocation to El Salvador, the only country where Bitcoin is legal tender. El Salvador initially mandated merchants to accept Bitcoin payments through the government-backed Chivo Wallet in 2021, though the initiative faced challenges.

Recently, as part of a $1.4 billion agreement with the IMF , the country made Bitcoin payments voluntary for merchants.

With this integration, Tether positions itself as a driving force in stablecoin adoption across Bitcoin’s ecosystem, pushing boundaries in both traditional payment networks and emerging technologies like AI.