What to Know
- USA₮ is a federally regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin built specifically for the U.S. market
- Issued by Anchorage Digital Bank under the GENIUS Act framework
- First phase launch includes Bybit, Crypto.com, Kraken, OKX, and Moonpay
Tether has officially launched USA₮, a new dollar-backed stablecoin designed specifically for the United States. Announced on January 27, 2026, USA₮ is built to work under the country’s new federal stablecoin rules created through the GENIUS Act. Unlike earlier stablecoins that mainly operated outside clear U.S. rules, USA₮ is fully aligned with America’s regulatory system from day one.
The stablecoin is issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., the first federally regulated digital asset bank in the United States. This makes USA₮ one of the first stablecoins in the country to be issued through a nationally chartered bank, giving it a strong legal and regulatory foundation. This launch follows last year’s announcement, where Tether revealed the design of USA₮ and named Bo Hines, former Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council, as CEO of Tether USA₮.
What this Launch Means
USA₮ is more than just a new stablecoin. It marks a major shift in how digital dollars are being built in the U.S. Until now, most stablecoins were global products first and adapted later to regulations. USA₮ is different, it is purpose-built for the U.S. market, designed to work with American laws, banks, and payment systems from the start.
This gives U.S. institutions a new option: a digital dollar that is not only backed by real dollars, but also created inside a federally regulated system. For banks, companies, and payment platforms, this reduces uncertainty and risk, making it easier to adopt digital money for real-world use. While USD₮ will continue to operate worldwide, USA₮ is focused only on the U.S. market. It offers a digital dollar that fits America’s highly digital payment economy and is issued through a regulated U.S. bank.
Built for Large-scale Use
USA₮ is designed to operate under the GENIUS Act’s new federal framework. Tether has partnered with major U.S.-regulated exchanges and financial platforms to ensure wide access across the country. Cantor Fitzgerald will serve as the reserve custodian and primary dealer, helping manage reserves securely and transparently.
Anchorage Digital Bank provides the infrastructure behind USA₮, including on-chain transparency, strong risk controls, and full compliance systems. The goal is not just to meet regulations, but to function smoothly within them every day, even at a large scale.
Tether’s Global Role
Tether is also strengthening its position as a major global financial player. The Tether Group is now the 17th-largest holder of U.S. Treasuries in the world, holding more than some countries, including Germany, South Korea, and Australia.
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said, “USA₮ offers institutions an additional option: a dollar-backed token made in America. USD₮ has proven that digital dollars can work at a global scale. USA₮ extends that mission for the U.S. market.” Bo Hines added, “Our focus is stability, transparency, and responsible governance, ensuring that the United States continues to lead in dollar innovation.”
Final Thoughts
The launch of USA₮ could shape the future of digital money. It creates a model where stablecoins are not just private products but part of a regulated financial system. This could make digital dollars more trusted by banks, businesses, and governments.
Other countries are likely to follow this path. As the U.S. sets a clear model for regulated stablecoins, nations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East may build their own government-aligned digital dollars. This could lead to a future where digital currencies become a normal part of everyday payments across the world. In the first phase, USA₮ will be available on Bybit, Crypto.com, Kraken, OKX, and Moonpay, with broader access expected soon.
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