Tether Ends Support for Five Blockchains in Infrastructure Shift

Tether, the leading issuer of stablecoins, is phasing out support for five older blockchains.

Starting September 1, 2025, users will no longer be able to redeem or transfer USDT tokens on Omni Layer, Bitcoin Cash’s SLP, Kusama, EOS, and Algorand. The decision follows a strategic infrastructure review aimed at streamlining operations and focusing on active, high-demand networks.

Legacy blockchains phased out

The company cited declining usage, minimal developer activity, and lower transaction volumes as reasons for ending support. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino explained that this move allows the company to refocus on platforms that offer better scalability and community engagement.

“These chains were critical in Tether’s early growth,” said Ardoino. “But today, we need to prioritize speed, interoperability, and adoption.”

Tether emphasized that the decision was driven by blockchain usage data and feedback from ecosystem partners.

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Focus shifts to Layer 2 and growing ecosystems

Looking ahead, Tether plans to double down on fast-growing Layer 2 networks like the Lightning Network and expand into ecosystems with stronger developer traction. These efforts aim to make USDT more accessible and useful across DeFi and payment platforms worldwide.

Tether users with balances on the soon-to-be-discontinued chains are advised to redeem or migrate their USDT holdings before the cutoff. Redemptions will remain available through official channels, while third-party providers may offer migration options.

As part of its expansion strategy, Tether continues exploring new blockchain integrations to broaden stablecoin access and utility in emerging digital economies.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.