USDT is a stablecoin that holds a 1:1 value with the US Dollar. Think of it as the cryptocurrency version of the dollar. In recent years, USDT or Tether USD has become a popular alternative to USD, growing into the largest stablecoin in the world.
Many people, especially in countries with limited access to USD, prefer USDT for its accessibility and low transaction fees. It’s also a practical way to store value securely and avoid the inflation that has been haunting the naira.
Basically, you can invest in Tether USD and see returns much like you would with USD.
In this guide, we’ll explain what USDT is, highlight its features, and show you how to buy and use it for your financial needs.
What Does USDT Mean?
USDT stands for Tether USD, a cryptocurrency that maintains a 1:1 parity with the US Dollar. For every 1 unit of USDT in circulation, there’s an equivalent 1 unit of USD held in reserves. This design places Tether USD in the category of stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies backed by cash reserves to maintain a stable price point.
Tether USD was developed by Tether in 2014, originally known as Realcoin, and was designed to function as a “digital dollar.” Its purpose was to provide stability in a highly volatile crypto market, making it distinct from cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are created through complex mathematical computations and experience significant price fluctuations.
Although USDT lost its 1:1 parity with the US dollar in 2018 and briefly in 2022, it has since regained its footing. As of November 2024, Tether USD is the largest stablecoin and the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, following Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Investors rely on Tether USD to shield their funds from the volatility of the crypto market while benefiting from the accessibility, ease of use, and privacy that cryptocurrency transactions offer.
USDT Features
Market cap: $139.78 Billion
Circulating supply: 139.84 Billion USDT
Total supply: 143.44 Billion USDT
Price: $0.9995
How Does USDT Work?
Tether USD is a stable coin backed by fiat reserve. Tether USD achieves its stability by pegging its value to the US Dollar, ensuring that under normal circumstances, 1 USDT always equals 1 USD. This stability protects Tether USD from the extreme price fluctuations often seen in other cryptocurrencies.
Once a unit of Tether USD is created, it can be used like any other cryptocurrency or token on the blockchains it supports. Currently, Tether USD operates on Bitcoin, Ethereum, EOS, Tron, Algorand, and OMG Network blockchains.
To maintain trust, Tether employs a Proof of Reserves system. This means that at any given time, their reserves are equal to or greater than the total USDT in circulation. Tether makes these reserves publicly verifiable on its website.
As of December 2024, Tether reported that 83.96% of its reserves are held in cash or cash equivalents, 5.36% in secured loans, with the remainder in corporate bonds, Bitcoin, and other investments. While Tether claims that 100% of its holdings are backed by reserves, some experts remain skeptical. However, Tether USD has consistently maintained its 1:1 parity with the US Dollar in recent years.
What Can You Use USDT For?
Tether USD has become one of the most versatile tools in the cryptocurrency space, offering practical solutions for savings, payments, trading, and more. Here’s how you can use USDT:
1. Savings and Investment
USDT is a great option for those seeking flexibility while avoiding the volatility of traditional cryptocurrency investments. By saving in Tether USD, you can protect your funds from market fluctuations while maintaining the ability to access and transfer them easily.
2. Payments
Tether USD acts as a bridge between traditional currency and cryptocurrency. It offers the best of both worlds: the convenience of crypto transactions and the relative stability of a fiat currency. Whether you’re paying for services or transferring funds globally, Tether USD provides a secure and reliable payment option.
3. Speculation and DeFi
Stablecoins like USDT make it easier to speculate in crypto markets without the risk of major price swings. Additionally, Tether USD is widely used as collateral in DeFi lending and staking protocols, enabling you to earn passive income while participating in decentralized finance platforms.
4. Hedge Against Inflation
If you live in a country like Nigeria with high inflation rates, USDT is a more accessible alternative to the US Dollar. Saving funds in Tether USD can help you preserve your wealth and avoid the diminishing purchasing power of the naira.
5. Trading
Tether USD simplifies trading by providing a stable base currency. If you are a trader, you can use it to lock in profits during volatile market conditions or as a stable medium to move funds between exchanges. It also saves you time and money by eliminating the need to constantly convert between fiat and crypto.
How to Get USDT
You can buy or receive Tether USD through crypto exchanges like Binance and Kraken. However, some of these platforms have restrictions for Nigerians. Alternatively, Mular makes it easy for you to get USDT and even spend it directly as Naira. Here’s how you can buy or receive USDT using Mular:
Step 1: Download and Set Up Mular
- Download the Mular app and create an account.
- Verify your identity using your BVN and a government-issued ID.
Step 2: Fund Your Account
Here’s how to fund your account if you want to buy USDT:
- Select the “Fund” option on your dashboard.
- Choose “Fund with Bank Transfer” and follow the instructions to transfer money from your bank account to your Mular wallet.
- Once the Naira is deposited into your wallet, go to the “Swap” option on your dashboard.
- Enter the amount of USDT you’d like to purchase (Swapping is subject to the current exchange rates, which are refreshed frequently to maintain accuracy).
- Click “Continue”, and the USDT will be deposited into your Mular wallet instantly.
Here’s how to fund your account if you want to receive USDT
- Select the “Fund” option on your dashboard and click “Receive USDT”.
- Copy the wallet address provided and send it to the sender.
- Alternatively, share your QR code or generate a payment link with your name, amount, and a short description to send to the payer.
You will receive USDT in your wallet in 99 seconds or less. Mular doesn’t charge a fee for receiving USDT.
Step 3: Save USDT or Spend Directly as Naira
- You can save USDT on your Mular wallet and exchange it for naira only when you are ready.
- Alternatively you can spend USDT directly as naira from your Mular wallet. Click the “send” option to pay for groceries and make everyday transactions with Tether USD.
Wrapping Up
USDT is a stablecoin backed by the US Dollar. It was designed to bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional financial systems. It offers the stability of fiat currency while allowing you to enjoy the privacy, accessibility, and ease of transactions that crypto provides.
By holding funds in Tether USD, you can hedge against inflation, protect your finances from fluctuations in the Naira, or use it for everyday transactions seamlessly with the Mular app. While USDT has faced scrutiny regarding its reserves and transparency, it remains the most widely adopted stablecoin—a trend likely to persist as cryptocurrency adoption grows.