Tether Phases Out USDT Support on Legacy Blockchains to Refocus on Scalable Networks

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin by market capitalization, has announced the termination of USDT support on five underutilized blockchain networks, marking a decisive shift in its strategic priorities. Effective September 1, 2025, the company will cease redemptions of USDT on Bitcoin Cash, Algorand, Kusama, Omni Layer, and Vaulta (formerly EOS), freezing any remaining tokens on those chains.

This announcement formalizes a transition that began with Tether halting USDT minting on Algorand and Vaulta in June, and previously on Bitcoin Cash, Omni Layer, and Kusama in 2023. Now, Tether is placing a firm end date on redemptions as part of what it calls an infrastructure optimization initiative.

According to the company, the move reflects a commitment to support blockchains that demonstrate robust user activity, strong developer ecosystems, and long-term viability. “Sunsetting support for these legacy chains allows us to focus on platforms that offer greater scalability, developer activity, and community engagement—all key components for driving the next wave of stablecoin adoption,” said Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO.

USDT holders on the affected blockchains are being advised to redeem their tokens before the September 1 cutoff or to request reissuance of their stablecoins on a supported chain. While these legacy networks once played a vital role in USDT’s early growth, their share of total USDT trading volume has since dwindled, contributing to the firm’s decision to wind down operations there.

Tether’s strategic pivot aligns with its vision to streamline operations and allocate resources toward more dynamic blockchain ecosystems. These include layer-2 solutions and chains with high utility and active development communities—factors seen as critical to ensuring long-term scalability and user adoption.

The stablecoin issuer, whose USDT token boasts a nearly $160 billion market cap, continues to hold a dominant position in the digital asset landscape. This consolidation of support around select blockchains may further solidify Tether’s role in defining the stablecoin standards for the next generation of decentralized finance.