Tether is delving into the field of artificial intelligence, aiming to provide simple AI tools to users in developing countries where its stablecoins already have significant reach.
CEO Paolo Ardoino stated that the company intends to create practical applications in areas such as healthcare, finance, and sports. The main focus will not be on cutting-edge AI models. Instead, Tether plans to create services that can run on standard smartphones and reach users who may have limited access to modern digital infrastructure.
According to an interview with Fortune magazine, Ardoino sees AI as a natural extension of Tether's existing presence in regions like Africa and South America. According to the company, it has over 650 million users worldwide.
Tether Moves Beyond the Cryptocurrency Brand
It is this scale that defines how Tether positions itself.
"It's been a long time since we've considered ourselves a cryptocurrency company. I think we are both a digital dollar company and a digital gold company," Ardoino shared in the interview.
$USDT remains the company's primary product, especially in countries where people use dollar-pegged assets to hedge against inflation or local currency instability. However, Tether is broadening its scope.
Over the last two years, the company has invested in decentralized communication systems, agriculture, and solar energy systems. Artificial intelligence is the newest area where the company hopes to leverage its global network and financial resources to create new products.
Ardoino has not yet disclosed details on how AI services will be monetized. One possible model suggests users would make small recurring payments in digital currencies for access to applications. The AI expansion is built around the concept of accessibility, with Ardoino warning that inequality in AI access could exacerbate existing economic disparities.
KPMG Report Addresses Reserve Questions
Tether's move into new business areas comes as the company attempts to settle long-standing questions about its reserves once and for all.
KPMG recently conducted an audit of the company's assets, including approximately 150 tons of gold stored in Switzerland. The review confirmed that Tether's reserves exceed its liabilities by $6.8 billion. The issuance volume of Tether's $USDT is currently around $183 billion.
The audit gives the company more room to focus on the next phase of development. Given that hundreds of millions of users already rely on its digital dollars, Tether is betting that this same network can become a channel for distributing AI and other infrastructure far beyond cryptocurrency.
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