The USDT stablecoin, issued by Tether, is reportedly under investigation by the US Department of Justice for potential violations of anti-money laundering laws. This news comes on the heels of Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, advocating for clearer regulations in the cryptocurrency space.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the inquiry is focused on whether Tether has engaged in activities that could violate sanctions or facilitate money laundering, including connections to hacking, drug trafficking, or terrorism.
The investigation is being led by the US Attorney’s office in Manhattan and involves the US Treasury Department, which is looking into Tether’s transactions with individuals and entities on the sanctions list. If sanctions are imposed, it could restrict American citizens from using USDT for transactions.
In response to the allegations, Ardoino took to social media to clarify that Tether had previously communicated to the Wall Street Journal that there was no ongoing investigation into the company.
However, the implications of this inquiry could be significant, as USDT is a major player in the cryptocurrency market. Its potential instability could trigger widespread concern, reminiscent of the market’s reaction when Binance faced similar legal challenges.
