USDT Becomes Native Gas Token on Stable Blockchain in Major Protocol Upgrade

Tether's LAYER 1 blockchain, Stable, is set to undergo a significant protocol upgrade on February 4, 2026, which will fundamentally change how transaction fees are paid on the network. The upgrade, version v1.2.0, will replace the current gas token, gUSDT, with a new native token called USDT0. This strategic move is designed to streamline the user experience by eliminating the need to wrap USDT for paying gas fees, creating a seamless, stablecoin-denominated payment flow for all on-chain transactions and settlements. The change represents a major step toward simplifying stablecoin payments and could significantly enhance the utility and adoption of the Stable blockchain for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and everyday payments. The upgrade arrives remarkably quickly, just under two months after Stable's mainnet launch on December 8, 2025, indicating a rapid development cycle and a strong focus on user-centric improvements. By making USDT0 the native gas token, Stable is directly addressing a common pain point in the blockchain ecosystem: the complexity and friction of managing separate tokens for transactions and gas fees. This unification means users can hold a single stablecoin asset to both transact and power their transactions, reducing steps, potential errors, and costs associated with token wrapping and conversion. From a market perspective, this development is profoundly bullish for USDT's ecosystem dominance. It deepens USDT's integration into the foundational layer of a dedicated blockchain, moving it beyond a simple medium of exchange or store of value on other chains to becoming the essential fuel for a growing ecosystem. This could drive increased demand for USDT as users and developers flock to a platform where the premier stablecoin is natively integrated at the protocol level. The move also positions Stable as a formidable competitor to other Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions by offering a uniquely simplified experience for stablecoin users, potentially capturing significant market share in the payment and settlement vertical of the crypto economy. This upgrade underscores the ongoing innovation in making blockchain technology more accessible and efficient, with USDT firmly at the center of this evolution.

Stable Blockchain Upgrades Native Gas Token to USDT0 in Push for Simplified Stablecoin Payments

Tether's stablecoin-focused Layer 1 blockchain, Stable, will implement a major protocol upgrade on February 4, replacing its gUSDT gas token with USDT0. The MOVE eliminates wrapping requirements, creating a unified stablecoin-denominated payment flow for transaction fees and settlements.

The v1.2.0 upgrade arrives just two months after Stable's December 8 mainnet launch, which has already attracted $780 million in on-chain value. Notable institutional partners including Anchorage Digital and PayPal Ventures lend credibility to the network's enterprise-focused architecture featuring sub-second finality.

Stable's thesis positions it as solving critical infrastructure gaps for real-world stablecoin payments. The platform's rapid iteration cycle demonstrates aggressive execution on its vision to become the default rails for digital currency transfers.

Stablecoins Reshape African Remittance Landscape as Digital Payments Surge

Africa's financial infrastructure is undergoing a silent revolution through stablecoin adoption, particularly in nations grappling with currency volatility and banking limitations. Former UN under-secretary-general Vera Songwe highlights how dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies now account for 43% of sub-Saharan Africa's crypto transaction volume, with Nigeria alone processing $22 billion in stablecoin flows annually.

Mobile networks serve as the critical on-ramp for the unbanked, enabling instant cross-border settlements that undercut traditional remittance fees. Where $100 transfers typically incur $6 charges through conventional channels, stablecoins deliver near-instant clearance at fractional costs—a paradigm shift for payroll, commerce, and diaspora payments.

Businesses and individuals across Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa increasingly rely on these digital dollar proxies as inflation hedges and dollar-access tools. This trend mirrors broader emerging market dynamics where cryptocurrency adoption often outpaces traditional financial inclusion efforts.

Stablecoin Trading Surges 62% in Korea as Dollar Strengthens Against Won

South Korean crypto exchanges recorded a 62% surge in stablecoin trading volumes as the won fell to multi-year lows against the dollar. Platforms like Korbit, Coinone, Upbit, and Bithumb intensified marketing campaigns around dollar-pegged tokens, waiving fees and distributing rewards to counter broader crypto market downturns.

Tether (USDT) trading volume across Korea's five major won-based exchanges reached 378.2 billion won ($261 million) as the exchange rate exceeded 1,480 won per dollar. The spike coincides with the won's nine-day losing streak against the dollar—its longest since 2008.

Commercial banks slashed dollar deposit rates to NEAR zero in a coordinated move. Shinhan Bank cut its annual rate from 1.5% to 0.1%, while Hana Bank reduced rates to 0.05% for foreign currency accounts—a defensive play against currency pressures.