USDT Gains as Trump-Affiliated Stablecoin USD1 Delisted Amid Asset Freeze Controversy

In a significant development that underscores the volatile landscape of stablecoins, HTX, the cryptocurrency exchange associated with Justin Sun, has announced the delisting of USD1, a stablecoin linked to former US President Donald Trump's World Liberty Financial (WLFI) project. The decision follows a controversial unilateral freeze by WLFI of HTX's on-chain addresses, citing compliance concerns. HTX will convert remaining USD1 balances to USDT at a 1:1 ratio, positioning Tether's USDT as a safe harbor amidst regulatory and operational turbulence. This move highlights the growing dominance of USDT as a reliable stablecoin in the crypto ecosystem, especially when other projects face liquidity or governance issues. As of June 11, 2026, the market's trust in USDT remains robust, with its backing of real-world assets and transparent reserves acting as a benchmark. The delisting of USD1 is a stark reminder of the risks in politically affiliated digital assets, but it also strengthens the case for established stablecoins like USDT that prioritize compliance and user protection. Investors are advised to monitor this trend, as it could signal a shift towards more resilient and audited stablecoins, boosting USDT's adoption in mainstream finance and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms.

Trump-Affiliated Stablecoin USD1 Delisted by HTX Amid Asset Freeze Controversy

HTX, the cryptocurrency exchange linked to Justin Sun, has moved to delist USD1, the stablecoin associated with former US President Donald Trump's World Liberty Financial (WLFI) project. The decision follows WLFI's unilateral freeze of HTX's on-chain addresses, citing compliance concerns.

The exchange will convert remaining USD1 balances to USDT at a 1:1 ratio, citing risk management and user protection. Trading pairs involving WLFI tokens were suspended earlier this week as tensions between the projects escalated.

Market observers note the timing suggests retaliatory action, though HTX maintains the move is purely precautionary. The delisting marks another chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding politically-linked cryptocurrency projects.

Ethereum Briefly Loses Second-Largest Cryptocurrency Spot to Tether Amid Market Turmoil

Ethereum's longstanding position as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was briefly usurped by Tether's USDT stablecoin during last week's market downturn. The shift occurred as Bitcoin's plunge below $60,000 triggered a cascade of liquidations, sending ETH tumbling toward $1,500.

Tether's market capitalization momentarily surpassed $186 billion while Ethereum's valuation dipped below that threshold. Though ETH quickly reclaimed its position, the episode highlights growing competitive pressures. Stablecoins now represent nearly 10% of total crypto market capitalization, with USDT's dominance reflecting institutional demand for dollar-pegged assets during volatility.

The narrowing $15 billion gap between ETH and USDT underscores Ethereum's vulnerability amid scaling challenges and Layer 2 adoption hurdles. Rivals including BNB and XRP continue circling—their more centralized governance models proving advantageous during bear markets.

MEXC Launches RealStocks, Enabling Crypto Users to Own Actual Shares with USDT

MEXC has unveiled RealStocks, a groundbreaking product that allows cryptocurrency users to purchase actual shares in U.S.-listed companies using USDT. Unlike synthetic offerings such as tokenized trackers or CFDs, RealStocks provides real ownership rights, including dividend distributions where applicable. The product operates seamlessly within MEXC's existing interface, eliminating the need for separate brokerage accounts, bank wires, or currency conversions.

Backed by a U.S.-licensed brokerage partner, RealStocks converts USDT to USD at a 1:1 rate with zero slippage and no foreign exchange costs. Trading fees are waived during the launch period, though standard regulatory and clearing fees may apply. The service follows NYSE and Nasdaq market sessions, offering users the ability to trade equities alongside cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and SOL in the same account.

The launch follows a successful beta phase with over 20,000 early adopters, validating both demand and execution reliability. This move bridges traditional finance and crypto, offering tangible equity ownership without the limitations of synthetic exposure.

Binance Stocks Hits $400M AUM Milestone in Eight Days as Crypto-Traders Embrace Traditional Assets

Binance's bold foray into traditional finance is paying off. The crypto exchange's stock trading feature, launched June 1, 2026, has amassed $400 million in assets under management—a threshold crossed in just eight days. The platform now bridges digital and traditional markets, allowing users to deploy USDT, USDC, and BNB across 7,000+ US stocks and ETFs.

The move signals a maturation of crypto investors' appetites. Where exchanges once focused solely on digital assets, Binance's success demonstrates demand for unified access to both worlds. Conversion happens seamlessly at execution—no fiat intermediaries required.

Wall Street meets Web3 in this hybrid model. While exchanges like Coinbase and Bybit specialize, Binance bets on convergence. The $400M AUM milestone suggests they're right.