Tether Claims Wallet Freezes Cut Iran-Linked Stablecoin…
By Karthik Subramanian
AI summary of the source article
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino claimed wallet freezes cut Iran-linked stablecoin volume by 94%, defending its compliance practices against US Senate scrutiny. Tether disclosed freezing approximately $550 million in Iran-linked USDT during 2026.
Why it matters
For regulators, the central question is whether stablecoin issuers can identify and restrict illicit activity consistently and promptly.
Key facts
- Tether claimed its wallet freezes reduced Iran-linked stablecoin transaction volumes by 94%, though it did not disclose the supporting data or methodology.
- A US Senate report found 84% of 846 examined Iran-linked wallets conducted transactions almost exclusively using Tether's USDT.
- Tether disclosed freezing approximately $550 million in USDT connected to Iranian financial networks during 2026.
Source excerpt · FinanceFeeds
Tether has claimed that its wallet-freezing measures reduced Iran-linked stablecoin transaction volumes by 94%, defending its sanctions compliance practices amid scrutiny from US lawmakers over the use of USDT in illicit financial networks. Chief Executive Paolo Ardoino made the claim on October 19, 2026, responding to a report from Democratic staff of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investig…