Tether Targets $500 Billion Valuation, Expands U.S. Operations and Plans Full Audit by 2026

Tether is pursuing a $500 billion company valuation while expanding its U.S. operations, with CEO Paolo Ardoino securing support from Trump administration allies including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose family firm has invested in the stablecoin issuer, ChainCatcher reports. The company launched a new token in the U.S. market this year, increased lobbying efforts in Washington, and is promoting its compliant token USAT domestically. Ardoino said Tether aims to complete a full audit by end-2026 and is in talks with Big Four accounting firms, while the company reported over $10 billion in profits last year and holds about $122 billion in U.S. Treasuries, making it the world's 17th largest holder, and has executed more than 140 investments in artificial intelligence, energy and brain-computer interfaces.