Tether Hires Ex-White House Advisor to Shape U.S. Stablecoin Strategy

Tether, the leading issuer of the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin USDT, has intensified its engagement with U.S. policy and regulation as it expands its influence in the global digital asset market. CEO Paolo Ardoino and Bo Hines, Tether’s newly appointed Strategic Advisor for Digital Assets and U.S. Strategy—who previously served as the executive director of the White House’s Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets—recently discussed Tether’s U.S. strategy and the implications of the newly enacted Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act).

The legislation, signed by President Donald Trump on July 18, marks the first federal framework regulating payment stablecoins in the U.S. and was a bipartisan initiative driven by the Trump administration to establish a clear operating environment for stablecoin issuers [1]. Hines played a pivotal role in advancing the bill through Congress, and his transition to Tether signals the company’s intent to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with insider knowledge.

Ardoino emphasized that Tether sees itself as a key economic partner for the United States, having already invested nearly $5 billion in the U.S. financial system. The company is also one of the largest purchasers of U.S. Treasuries, according to Hines, whose involvement in the firm is partly motivated by the public-private economic benefits Tether provides [1]. Tether’s CEO also pointed to underserved markets and remittance corridors as a core focus for USDT’s future growth, highlighting the challenges U.S. migrants face with high fees when sending money overseas [1].

While competitors like Circle, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC), focus on affluent and already banked users, Ardoino argues that Tether is uniquely positioned to serve unbanked and underbanked populations, particularly in emerging markets. He cited strong adoption of USDT in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, where the stablecoin has become a preferred medium for cross-border transactions [1].

Regulatory scrutiny has intensified as Tether’s market share has grown. From 2020 to 2024, the supply of USDT expanded from $5 billion to over $120 billion, according to Ardoino. The company has also faced close attention from U.S. and global regulators, though Ardoino emphasized Tether’s cooperation with more than 250 law enforcement and government agencies worldwide, including the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Department of Justice [1].

Despite regulatory challenges, Tether has remained resilient, according to Ardoino, who pointed to the company’s survival of major financial crises in recent years. He contrasted Tether’s stability with high-profile failures such as Terra Luna and emphasized the company’s role in facilitating seamless, transparent, and low-cost cross-border transactions [1].

Hines added that U.S. businesses can benefit from faster and more transparent global payments via stablecoins, replacing traditional wire transfers that can take days to clear. He also highlighted Tether’s strategic importance in the broader context of global financial competition, noting that some nations are seeking to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar. Ardoino echoed this sentiment, suggesting that China in particular is leveraging financial influence in regions like Africa and South America [1].

In a more lighthearted exchange, the conversation touched on Tether’s potential for brand expansion through sports partnerships. Hines and Ardoino expressed personal preferences for athletes such as Jared Goff, Joe Burrow, Lionel Messi, and Juventus, though it was clarified that no formal partnerships are in place [1].

Tether’s hiring of Hines reflects a broader strategy to cement its position in the U.S. market and influence policy outcomes. As the first federal stablecoin law takes shape, Tether appears poised to expand its role in both financial infrastructure and geopolitical dynamics, leveraging its market dominance and regulatory expertise [1].

Source: [1] Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino And Advisor Bo Hines Discuss U.S. Stablecoins (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbrett/2025/08/26/tether-ceo-paolo-ardoino-and-advisor-bo-hines-discuss-us-stablecoins/)