Tether, the company behind the world’s most popular stablecoin, has made a new investment in Orionx, a digital asset exchange based in Chile. The funding officially closes Orionx’s Series A round and is aimed at growing stablecoin use across Latin America.
Orionx already runs operations in four countries: Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. With this new backing, the company plans to grow its crypto-based payment systems, improve tech infrastructure, and expand its B2B services, particularly in remittances, collection, and treasury management.
Latin America is using stablecoins much more, especially in countries where money is losing value quickly. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the region saw about $415 billion in cryptocurrency transactions.
Most of this money moved through stablecoins because people and businesses want to protect their funds from unstable local currencies by using digital dollars instead.
In Argentina, where inflation and debt are high, people are searching for safer ways to handle their money. In Brazil, clearer regulations and the need for cheaper international payments are leading more businesses to adopt cryptocurrency.
But access is still a major issue. Latin America has one of the highest numbers of adults without access to traditional banking. Many people can’t open accounts or send money due to paperwork requirements, distance, or high fees. That’s where stablecoins and platforms like Orionx come in.
Orionx’s platform supports local fiat ramps, low-cost transfers, and stablecoin settlements. Its “Remittances as a Service” model lets businesses offer fast, affordable cross-border payments without relying on banks.
“Tether is continuously expanding its mission to foster financial inclusion by investing in technologies and teams that deliver real-world value,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “By closing Orionx’s Series A round, we are not only supporting a high-impact company but also advancing our broader vision of making stablecoin-powered financial tools accessible to underserved communities.”
Joel Vainstein, CEO of Orionx, called the partnership a turning point: “There’s growing demand from businesses for faster and cheaper payment solutions. Having Tether onboard lets us scale faster with more flexible tools for the region.”
The deal strengthens Tether’s presence in emerging markets and signals its long-term interest in building stablecoin infrastructure beyond trading, into daily financial use.
