Tether has launched USA₮, a new dollar-backed stablecoin designed specifically for the US market, as the company moves to comply with America’s new federal stablecoin law under the GENIUS Act.
The new token, announced on January 27, is issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., a federally chartered US bank. It marks Tether’s first stablecoin built to operate fully within the United States’ regulated financial system.
A Stablecoin Built for US Law
USA₮ is structured to meet the GENIUS Act’s requirements for payment stablecoins, including bank issuance, full reserve backing, and ongoing regulatory supervision.
According to Tether, the stablecoin is designed for use by US institutions and platforms that require a federally regulated digital dollar. Cantor Fitzgerald will act as reserve custodian and preferred primary dealer, providing transparency over reserves from launch.
In its initial phase, USA₮ will be available through platforms including Kraken, Crypto.com, MoonPay, OKX, and Bybit.
Why Tether Needed a New Stablecoin
The launch follows regulatory pressure created by the GENIUS Act, which introduced the first nationwide framework governing stablecoins offered to US users.
Under the law, only stablecoins issued by federally or state-qualified entities may be marketed or distributed to US persons.
Offshore-issued tokens that do not meet these standards face restrictions from US-regulated exchanges, banks, and payment providers.
This framework limited the use of USDT, Tether’s flagship stablecoin.
The move places Tether back into direct competition with Circle’s USDC, which has benefited from regulatory clarity and early alignment with US institutions.
By launching a bank-issued stablecoin, Tether can now offer US institutions a regulated alternative while maintaining USDT’s role as the dominant global dollar token.
This dual structure allows Tether to defend its market position at both the domestic and international levels.
