Tether Invests $8M in Speed to Scale Lightning-Based Stablecoin Payments
Tether introduced it has led an $8 million funding in Speed1, Inc., a funds infrastructure firm constructing international settlement rails utilizing the Bitcoin Lightning Network and stablecoins.
The funding spherical additionally included participation from Ego Death Capital. The funding aligns with Tether’s broader push to broaden real-world cost use instances for USDT whereas supporting Bitcoin-native monetary infrastructure.
Speed focuses on permitting on the spot low-cost funds by combining Lightning’s high-speed transaction capabilities with stablecoin settlement for value stability. The firm mentioned the funding will assist product growth and continued international enlargement.
Growing Payment Volume and User Base
Speed at the moment processes greater than $1.5 billion in annualized cost quantity throughout shoppers, creators, platforms, and enterprise retailers. Its core merchandise—Speed Wallet and Speed Merchant—serve roughly 1.2 million customers and companies. The platform presents on the spot funds, native Bitcoin and USDT settlement, and international routing designed to meet enterprise reliability necessities.
The firm positions its infrastructure as a bridge between Bitcoin-native networks and sensible cost wants, significantly for cross-border transactions, creator payouts, and service provider settlement.
By integrating stablecoins alongside Lightning, Speed permits customers and companies to select between volatility publicity and price-stable settlement, relying on their wants.
Tether Deepens Focus on Bitcoin-Aligned Infrastructure
Tether mentioned the funding helps its technique of strengthening Bitcoin-aligned monetary infrastructure whereas increasing the utility of USDT past buying and selling and into on a regular basis funds.
According to the corporate, Speed’s structure demonstrates how Lightning and stablecoins can function collectively at scale, combining low charges, international attain, and compliance-focused design.
“Speed is displaying what Lightning can obtain when paired with a steady, liquid digital greenback like USDT,” mentioned Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. He added that the corporate is targeted on backing infrastructure that reduces friction in funds and broadens entry to dependable settlement rails, significantly for mainstream commerce.
Bridging Speculation and Real-World Use
Speed’s management mentioned the platform is designed to transfer crypto past speculative use instances and into practical, international funds. CEO Niraj Patel mentioned Lightning gives transaction pace, whereas stablecoins allow common entry and predictable worth, permitting the infrastructure to assist shoppers, creators, and retailers at scale.
Speed integrates intently with the Lightning Network whereas permitting stablecoin settlement for customers who require value stability. The firm mentioned this hybrid method lowers friction throughout cross-border funds, platform-level settlement, and service provider transactions particularly in areas the place conventional banking infrastructure is dear or inefficient.
As stablecoins and Bitcoin-based networks achieve traction in funds, the funding highlights rising curiosity from main digital asset companies in infrastructure that helps real-world monetary exercise relatively than solely buying and selling and hypothesis.
Earlier Visa announced it will allow stablecoin-based settlement throughout its US funds community broadening its suite of crypto-related companies.
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