Key Highlights
- Tether has announced its collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to prevent digital asset scams and fraud
- As a part of this partnership, Tether will promote public cybersecurity education for youth through a multi-phase program
- It will promote innovation through a student competition based on blockchain solutions for financial inclusion and crime prevention
In the major announcement on Friday, Tether, a leading crypto firm, announced its partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to crack down on digital asset scams and fraud.
Tether and the United Nations Join Forces to Safeguard Africa’s Digital Economy
Learn more: https://t.co/qKyZLH8j63— Tether (@tether) January 9, 2026
Tether to Contribute to the UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Africa 2030
Africa is the third-fastest-growing crypto region in the world; thus, it remains vulnerable to digital asset scams and fraud. It is very important to establish a body to counter such cyber attacks in order to protect investors and ensure their security for the investors.
To understand the scale of this crypto theft, a recent Interpol Operation has uncovered $260 million in illegal crypto and fiat across Africa.
This collaboration will be focused on three key areas, including:
- Senegal Project: The crypto firm will promote public cybersecurity education for youth through a multi-phase program that begins with learning opportunities and a bootcamp. This includes a session by the Plan B Foundation, a collaboration between Tether and the City of Lugano. There will also be other aspects of this program, including coaching, mentorship, and micro-grants to help participants further develop their projects and ideas.
- Africa Project: In order to prevent human trafficking across the region, Tether will provide support via funding to different civil society organizations that provide direct assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking.
- Papua New Guinea Project: Tether will also collaborate with the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Solomon Islands to educate youth on financial inclusion and digital asset fraud prevention. It will incentivize innovation through a student competition focused on blockchain solutions for financial inclusion and crime prevention.
“Supporting victims of human trafficking and helping prevent exploitation requires coordinated action across sectors,” Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, stated in the announcement. “Through our collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, we’re backing initiatives that combine innovation and education to empower communities and help create safer, more inclusive opportunities for those who need them most.”
“Digital assets are reshaping how the world engages with money and play a vital role in unlocking Africa’s development potential, while contributing to the United Nations peace and security agenda,” Sylvie Bertrand, UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, stated.
“I am excited by the prospect of a tripartite partnership, bringing together the United Nations, the private sector, and Senegalese authorities, to support the vision behind Senegal’s Digital New Deal. Through this collaboration, we can advance digital inclusion, strengthen digital skills and youth employability, promote secure and transparent digital ecosystems, and harness innovation to prevent organized crime while fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” she said.
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