Tether's AI Ambitions: Revolutionizing Crypto Management
Tether, the world's largest stablecoin issuer, is expanding its footprint in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The company's CEO, Paolo Ardoino, recently announced that Tether's AI division, Tether Data, is developing a range of AI applications, including AI Translate, AI Voice Assistant, and AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant.
In addition to these AI apps, Tether is also building an open-source software development kit (SDK) platform for AI. This platform, which will be built upon Bare (Holepunch's JavaScript runtime), is designed to work on a wide range of hardware, from embedded devices to powerful servers and clusters. Ardoino stated that the platform will focus on local processing, full privacy, and self-custody for both data and money.
The AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant, demonstrated by Ardoino, showcased the potential of these AI apps. Users can interact with the "Payment Agent" through a chatbot interface to manage their BTC wallets, query balances, and even send BTC to recipients. The entire process is conducted autonomously, highlighting the convenience and efficiency of AI in cryptocurrency management.
Tether's AI ambitions are not new. In 2023, the company acquired a stake in European crypto miner Northern Data Group, which specializes in cloud computing and generative AI. This acquisition marked Tether's entry into the AI space. In March 2024, Tether further expanded its AI operations with a global recruitment drive for top-tier talent, aiming to push the boundaries of AI technology and set new industry standards.
Tether's AI platform was initially targeted for launch at the end of Q1 2025. However, the company has not yet provided an updated launch date. Meanwhile, Tether continues to report impressive financial results. In January 2025, the company announced record-breaking profits of $13 billion in 2024 and revealed a larger-than-ever stockpile of US government bonds, worth approximately $113 billion.
Tether's stablecoin (USDT) remains the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, which reached an all-time high of $141 billion following the issuance of another billion dollars worth on Feb. 5, 2025. As Tether continues to grow and diversify its offerings, the company's