In a recent fiery discussion on X, Justin Bons, founder of Cyber Capital, has unleashed strong criticism against Tether, calling it the largest fraud in the cryptocurrency world.
Bons contends that Tether’s alleged misconduct dwarfs the scandals of FTX and Bernie Madoff, accusing the stablecoin issuer of lacking transparency and bypassing necessary audits.
Bons labeled Tether’s operations a $118 billion scam, pointing out the company’s failure to substantiate its claims of reserve backing with a legitimate audit. Despite promises dating back to 2015, no formal audit has been conducted, which Bons describes as “counterfeit money.” He warns that the potential collapse of Tether could be more devastating than the Terra Luna disaster, given the scale of USDT in circulation.
Criticism also extends to Tether’s governance and its questionable history. Bons criticized the company’s audit practices, noting that a thorough audit in 2018 was allegedly dismissed, and recent reports by BDO were merely “accountant’s reports” rather than comprehensive audits. He also expressed concern over Tether’s minimal board structure, suggesting it may contribute to mismanagement.
Tether is facing ongoing legal issues, including a recent lawsuit from Celsius Network accusing it of fraudulent Bitcoin transfers. Meanwhile, Tether’s CEO has rejected these claims, describing the lawsuit as a mere attempt to extract funds.
Despite these controversies, Tether, alongside other stablecoin issuers, has taken steps to combat illicit activities by blacklisting accounts linked to North Korean hackers.
In a surprising turn of events, the chances of a Fort Knox gold audit happening by May 2025 have risen sharply following comments from President Donald Trump.
Kraken saw a 39% rise in government data requests in 2024, with U.S. agencies leading the surge, according to its latest transparency report.
Vitalik Buterin has expressed disappointment over what he sees as a shift in values within the crypto industry, particularly in relation to Ethereum’s cautious stance on blockchain gambling.
MANSA, a cross-border payments company, has secured $10 million in funding, with Tether leading the investment.