Russia’s Central Bank Tightens Regulations on USDT Trading

Russia’s Central Bank is introducing new regulations that could significantly impact USDT trading within the country. While Russian firms may still use stablecoins like Tether for cross-border settlements, domestic investors face increasing restrictions. This move follows last month’s freeze of USDT wallets and precedes the launch of a regulated crypto sandbox. The summary below delves into the implications of these developments for the cryptocurrency market.

Russia To End USDT Trading with New Central Bank Crypto Rules

Russia’s Central Bank is tightening its grip on the cryptocurrency sector, introducing new regulations that could severely impact USDT trading within the country. While Russian firms may still utilize stablecoins like Tether for cross-border settlements, domestic investors face increasing restrictions.

The Central Bank’s latest move follows last month’s freeze of USDT wallets and precedes the launch of a regulated crypto sandbox on May 26. This sandbox will allow limited use of cryptocurrencies in global trade, but with stringent token restrictions. Though no assets are explicitly named, experts anticipate these rules will effectively curb USDT access for local traders.

Tether on TRON Surpasses $75 Billion, Dominates Stablecoin Market

Tether’s USDT supply on the TRON blockchain has exceeded $75 billion, reinforcing TRON’s position as the leading network for stablecoin activity. With over 50% of USDT’s $150 billion global circulation issued on TRON, the network commands 63% of the stablecoin market share.

TRON processes 8.3 million daily transactions and supports 306 million user accounts, handling $20 billion in USDT transfers daily. The network facilitates nearly 29% of all stablecoin transfer volume, underscoring its dominance in the sector.

Tether Surpasses Germany in U.S. Treasury Holdings with $120 Billion Stash

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has eclipsed Germany’s holdings of U.S. Treasury bonds with a $120 billion portfolio. The milestone positions the cryptocurrency firm as the 19th largest global holder of Treasuries—ahead of sovereign nations and central banks.

The stablecoin giant’s reserves now exceed Germany’s $111.4 billion Treasury position. Tether’s diversified asset strategy generated over $1 billion in Q1 2025 profits, underscoring how crypto-native entities are becoming significant players in traditional finance markets.

USDT’s market capitalization hit $151 billion as stablecoin adoption accelerates globally. The growth reflects deepening integration between digital assets and legacy financial systems, with crypto companies now competing directly with nation-states in capital markets.