Stablecoin Issuer Bets on Decentralized Artificial Intelligence Technologies

Tether, known as the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has announced a major expansion of its activities into the field of artificial intelligence. On May 5, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced the imminent launch of Tether.ai—an open-source artificial intelligence platform designed for various devices. This ambitious move comes as USDT approaches a record $150 billion in circulation, demonstrating the company’s desire to diversify beyond stablecoins and strengthen its position at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

Science Fiction Becomes Reality: The Vision for Tether.ai

Ardoino described Tether.ai as a project that aims to offer personalized and adaptable intelligence. According to him, the goal is to create a technological foundation that mirrors the AI systems described in classic science fiction, particularly those envisioned by Isaac Asimov.

“AI will become, in the coming decades, part of the very fabric of the universe. Our technology will be open source, transparent, scalable, and capable of adapting and evolving on any device, regardless of hardware,” stated Ardoino.

The science fiction inspiration is not just a marketing ploy. Asimov’s works, especially his concept of the “Three Laws of Robotics” and ideas about human-machine interaction, laid the philosophical foundation for many contemporary discussions about AI ethics. Building on these ideas, Tether aims to create technology that is not only cutting-edge but also ethically sound.

“Instead of simply following current trends in AI, they want to rethink the very concept of artificial intelligence from the perspective of decentralization and privacy protection,” commented Alexander Novikov, an expert on AI technologies in the financial sector. “It’s an ambitious approach that could truly differentiate Tether from many other projects in this field.”

The company is already working on an AI software development kit (SDK) to support the platform, indicating the seriousness of their intentions and willingness to invest significant resources in developing this direction.

Decentralization and Privacy: Key Advantages of the New Platform

Tether plans to roll out applications that function locally on users’ devices. These include language translation tools, a privacy-focused voice assistant, and a Bitcoin wallet AI companion. All these products are designed to increase self-custody and reduce reliance on cloud-based services.

In an era when most AI functionality relies on centralized cloud systems, Tether’s approach stands out with its focus on local data processing. This not only enhances user privacy but also reduces vulnerability to network attacks and potential data breaches.

“Local processing of AI data could be a real breakthrough in privacy protection,” notes Elena Smirnova, a cybersecurity specialist in the blockchain industry. “Today, most AI solutions send data to company servers, which creates significant risks. Tether’s approach could offer a real alternative.”

As part of its AI roadmap, Tether is also advancing a decentralized messaging app called Keet. According to Tether’s website, Keet is built to offer secure, peer-to-peer communication without relying on central servers. The project responds to concerns about data sovereignty, especially in a world where critical communications are often routed through a few large tech companies.

From Cryptocurrencies to Neurotechnology: Tether’s Ambitious Future

Tether’s ambitions in the AI space go further still. The company recently disclosed work on neural technology through its research unit, Tether Data.

In February, Ardoino revealed that the team had created an electrocorticography (ECoG) plugin capable of converting brain signals into text. This development could support future brain-to-device interfaces, opening the door to advanced assistive technologies.

“The transition from financial technology to neurointerfaces may seem unexpected, but there is actually a logical connection here,” explains Dmitry Volkov, a researcher in neurotechnology. “Both blockchain and neurointerfaces work with signal processing and secure data transmission, just in different environments. Tether’s experience in securing financial transactions could be valuable in developing secure neurointerfaces.”

This expansion of activities demonstrates that Tether sees itself not just as a stablecoin issuer, but as a technology company capable of working at the forefront of innovation in various fields. This approach could provide Tether with a more sustainable position in the rapidly changing technological landscape.

USDT Approaches New Record

While Tether explores cutting-edge AI technology, the company’s core product—the USDT stablecoin—continues to grow.

Data from CryptoSlate shows that USDT supply has reached $149.3 billion as of press time, up roughly 10% in 2025 alone. According to the firm’s latest attestation report, these assets are backed mainly by US Treasury assets. The firm holds nearly $120 billion in US Treasuries, including indirect exposure via money market funds and repo agreements.

“The growth in USDT capitalization indicates continuing demand for stable digital assets,” comments Michael Petrov, a financial analyst in the cryptocurrency market. “In the face of traditional cryptocurrency volatility, stablecoins remain a critical component of the ecosystem. But competition in this market is intensifying, and Tether is right to diversify its activities.”

The steady growth of USDT and solid backing by US Treasury bonds create a financial foundation for Tether’s ambitious technological initiatives. The company is effectively using its success in the stablecoin business to fund research and development in advanced technology areas.

Convergence of Blockchain, AI, and Neurotechnology

Tether’s initiatives represent an interesting example of the convergence of various advanced technologies: blockchain, artificial intelligence, and neurointerfaces. Such a combination could potentially create new paradigms for human interaction with digital systems.

“We’re observing an interesting trend: companies initially focused on one technological area are beginning to explore adjacent directions, creating unexpected synergies,” notes Sofia Andreeva, a technology futurist. “In Tether’s case, we see how experience in ensuring security and decentralization of financial operations is being transferred to the realm of AI and even neurotechnology.”

Tether’s approach to AI, with an emphasis on decentralization, privacy, and open-source, is in many ways opposite to the dominant trends in the industry, where a few large technology companies control most of the market with their proprietary solutions. The success of Tether’s initiatives could pave the way for a more open and decentralized AI ecosystem.

Nevertheless, the company faces significant challenges. Developing innovative AI solutions requires enormous resources and expertise in areas where Tether traditionally has not had strong positions. Additionally, the company will have to compete with technology giants that have significantly larger budgets for research and development.

However, Tether’s unique position at the intersection of financial technology and cryptocurrencies could provide the company with competitive advantages, especially in creating AI solutions oriented toward the financial sector and crypto economy.