- Tether froze $1.6M in terror-linked assets in joint action with U.S. authorities.
- Over 5,000 wallets blocked globally, with 2,800 cases involving U.S. cooperation.
- Tether aided in freezing $2.9B USDT tied to illegal use across 59 jurisdictions.
Tether, a leading digital asset company and the issuer of USDT, has collaborated with U.S. authorities to block approximately $1.6 million in suspected terrorist-linked assets. The wallets, connected to Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company (BuyCash), a Gaza-based network, were linked to terrorist financing.
This action falls under a broader civil forfeiture case led by the U.S. Department of Justice targeting over $2 million in digital assets used to support sanctioned terror groups.
According to the press release, the funds were traced in the secondary market during a joint effort with law enforcement. After being notified, Tether promptly froze the affected wallets and reissued the USDT. This move ensured that law enforcement could initiate the legal recovery process without delays.
Expanding Global Role in Crypto Enforcement
Tether’s role in international investigations continues to grow. In July alone, the company supported Brazilian authorities in a major case.
Around R$32 million (nearly $6.2 million USD) was frozen in a cross-border laundering operation involving the Klever Wallet platform. The case highlighted Tether’s readiness to assist across jurisdictions and criminal structures.
In June, Tether contributed to a DOJ enforcement action that led to the seizure of approximately $225 million in USDT. This effort reinforced its ability to help tackle serious financial crimes at scale. Earlier, in March, the firm worked with the U.S. Secret Service to freeze $23 million linked to the Russian-sanctioned exchange Garantex and halted $9 million tied to the Bybit hack.
Besides these specific cases, Tether has reportedly blocked over 5,000 wallets globally. Around 2,800 of these involved cooperation with U.S. agencies alone. These figures underscore the company’s central role in making digital currencies safer and more compliant.
Commitment to Transparency and Regulation
CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized that blockchain’s transparency gives Tether an advantage over traditional finance systems. According to Ardoino, the traceability of USDT allows rapid responses to illicit activity.
Tether has now frozen more than $2.9 billion worth of USDT linked to illegal use. The company has also assisted over 275 law enforcement agencies in 59 jurisdictions worldwide. Moreover, Tether adheres strictly to compliance rules set by the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and other regulatory frameworks.
