Tether Shells Out $8M to Speed Up Lightning Payments! 🚀💰

Tether, that shrewd operator, has thrown $8 million into Speed1, Inc., aiming to make Lightning-native payments as smooth as a Mississippi riverboat captain’s grin. The move deepens Tether’s push into Bitcoin-aligned payment infrastructure, as USDT adoption on the Bitcoin Lightning network accelerates-because nothing says “global commerce” like a stablecoin that’s stable enough to make your grandma weep with joy. 🥺 BTC ($87,820) 24h volatility: 2.3% | Market cap: $1.75 T | Vol. 24h: $52.59 B. USDT ($1.00) 24h volatility: 0.0% | Market cap: $186.29 B | Vol. 24h: $81.59 B.

Tether and ego death capital co-led Speed’s $8 million funding round, announced on December 16, 2025. Speed operates payment rails built on the Bitcoin Lightning Network and stablecoins, targeting instant, low-fee settlement for consumers, creators, platforms, and enterprise merchants. Because nothing says “convenience” like paying for a coffee with a blockchain that’s faster than a squirrel on espresso. ⚡

The company processes over $1.5 billion in annual payment volume through its products, serving around 1.2 million users and businesses. Its stack offers native BTC and USDT settlement, plus high-reliability global routing designed for enterprise integrations and cross-border flows, according to the announcement. Because if you can’t trust a blockchain to handle your taxes, what can you trust? 🧠

Tether Leads $8M Strategic Investment in Speed to Advance Lightning-Native, Stablecoin-Powered PaymentsLearn more:

– Tether (@Tether_to) December 16, 2025

Tether framed the Speed deal as part of a broader strategy to support Bitcoin-based financial rails and expand USDT’s role in real-world payments. Because nothing says “revolution” like a stablecoin that’s stable enough to make your bank jealous. 🏦

CEO Paolo Ardoino said Speed demonstrates how Lightning, paired with a stable digital dollar such as USDT, can reduce friction and prepare Bitcoin-rooted networks for mainstream commerce. Because if Bitcoin can’t pay for your lunch, what’s the point? 🍔

Lightning Network Gains Stablecoin Momentum

Stablecoin activity on the Lightning Network has picked up since Tether confirmed plans to bring USDT to Bitcoin’s base layer and Lightning using Lightning Labs’ Taproot Assets protocol in early 2025. The integration allows USDT issuance on Bitcoin and routing over Lightning, reducing costs and settlement times for remittances, small-value payments, and cross-border transfers. Because who needs a bank when you’ve got a blockchain? 🤷‍♂️

Moreover, consumer apps are adopting Lightning and stablecoins: Block’s Cash App is rolling out Lightning-enabled Bitcoin USD payments and stablecoin support, with USD balance interoperability, in November 2025. Because if you can’t pay with Bitcoin, what’s the point of Bitcoin? 🎯

Tether’s Recent Pushes in Payments and Infrastructure

The Speed round adds to a string of Tether investments aimed at expanding USDT’s payments footprint. In February 2025, Tether announced a strategic investment in Zengo wallet to extend stablecoin access and self-custody tools for more than 1.5 million users across Bitcoin, Ethereum ($2,954) 24h volatility: 1.1% | Market cap: $356.71 B | Vol. 24h: $26.52 B, Tron, and other chains. In April, the company backed Fizen, a self-custodial payments protocol designed to enable everyday stablecoin spending without banks or third parties. Because who needs a bank when you’ve got a blockchain? 🤷‍♂️

In November 2025, Tether also invested in Bitcoin-backed lender Ledn to expand credit products that keep customers in self-custody and use USDT and BTC as collateral. Separately, the firm has been developing in Latin America through Parfin to support institutional USDT settlement, tokenization, and cross-border payments. Because nothing says “global” like a stablecoin that’s as reliable as a riverboat’s paddlewheel. 🚢

Across these bets, Tether is strengthening its Bitcoin-compatible, multi-chain infrastructure while narrowing its focus to payments, remittances, and savings products linked to USDT. With USDT now more closely tied to Bitcoin and Lightning, and with dedicated partners like Speed building native rails, the stablecoin issuer is working to anchor dollar-denominated liquidity within the Bitcoin ecosystem rather than solely on smart contract chains. Because if you can’t trust a blockchain, what can you trust? 🧠

2025-12-16 22:25

Lightning Network Gains Stablecoin Momentum

Tether’s Recent Pushes in Payments and Infrastructure

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