Tether, which describes itself as the largest company in the digital asset industry, announced on 13 October 2026 an investment in EFY Finance as part of the company's seed round, a move intended to accelerate institutional use cases for USD₮ and USA₮ across Latin America. According to Tether's official announcement, the investment is designed to strengthen the infrastructure that connects stablecoins to the traditional financial system throughout the region.

EFY Finance is a financial infrastructure company providing stablecoin-based cross-border payments, accounts, and digital asset custody across Latin America. Its offering includes on- and off-ramp infrastructure for USD₮ and USA₮, over-the-counter (OTC) services, wallets, and cards across more than 12 currencies and corridors, with settlement to local accounts in 17 countries. The firm is licensed as a Digital Asset Service Provider in El Salvador and operates regulated services for more than 25,000 active individual and business accounts. EFY Finance states that it believes money should move at the speed of the internet: as simple, fast, and clear as sending a message, without borders. That combination of licensing, banking connections, and local settlement coverage mirrors what both companies' executives describe as the gap standing between stablecoins and institutional adoption in the region.

The investment reflects Tether's stated commitment to supporting the growth of regulated infrastructure that connects stablecoins with banks, businesses, and institutional users. Because it was made at the seed stage, the deal also ties Tether to EFY Finance from an early point in the company's growth. EFY Finance's strong distribution, established customer base, and licensed infrastructure position the company to drive the next stage of institutional stablecoin use cases, particularly in Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, and Ecuador, where it already maintains a meaningful presence — making these six markets the ones to watch as the partnership's stated institutional goals are put into practice.

Executives on the investment

"Across Latin America, the US dollar is a lifeline against inflation and capital controls. USD₮ and USA₮ are how people access it, but doing so simply and reliably takes regulated infrastructure, banking connections, and real distribution. That is the gap EFY Finance is positioned to close, bringing the dollar within easier reach across the region," said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.

"Stablecoins have already become part of the financial infrastructure of Latin America. The challenge now is making them work seamlessly with the financial systems businesses use every day. That means connecting digital dollars with bank accounts, local payment networks, cards, and cross-border settlement. That is the infrastructure we are building at EFY Finance. Having Tether as a strategic investor gives us an exceptional collaborator to accelerate that vision and expand institutional access to USD₮ and USA₮ across the region," said Andrés Tobón, Co-Founder and CEO of EFY Finance.

A broader regional shift

The investment reflects a broader shift already underway across Latin America. According to Chainalysis, the region recorded nearly $1.5 trillion in cryptocurrency transaction volume between July 2022 and June 2025, making it one of the most dynamic regions. Persistent inflation, currency volatility, and restrictive capital controls in several countries continue to drive demand for stablecoins as a stable store of value and a hedge against local macroeconomic risk. Stablecoin purchases now account for over half of all exchange purchases. Against that backdrop, the practical significance of infrastructure deals like this one is access: they determine businesses and individuals can actually hold and move dollar-equivalent value through licensed, regulated channels connected to local bank accounts. As regulatory frameworks mature and licensed infrastructure strengthens, Latin America is proving what is possible when stablecoins meet real financial infrastructure, and Tether and EFY Finance say they are excited to be part of this evolution.

About USA₮

USA₮ is a U.S.-dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., a federally chartered bank, which Tether — the global leader in stablecoin technology — has supported to launch. Purpose-built to serve the U.S. market and designed to comply with U.S. regulatory standards, USA₮ will be the foundational rail for the next generation of American commerce, trade, and finance.

USA₮ underscores Tether's commitment to driving dominance and leadership in the evolving digital asset economy. As part of the broader Tether ecosystem, USA₮ will set a new benchmark in the U.S. for utility-driven stablecoins designed to deliver long-term value, strong governance, and real-world applications.

Important note

USA₮ is not legal tender (as described in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code) and will not be issued, backed, approved, or guaranteed by the U.S. government. USA₮ is not subject to the insurance protections of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), or any other government agency. The issuer of USA₮ is Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A.