Tether Blocked $182 Million in USDT on Five Wallets. What Happened

RBK-cryptoОпубликовано 2026-01-12Обновлено 2026-01-12

Введение

Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has frozen approximately $182 million across five wallets on the Tron blockchain. The action, which took place on January 11th, was executed in response to an official request from law enforcement agencies as part of an ongoing, months-long investigation. This is one of the largest single freezes on the Tron network in recent months, a popular blockchain for USDT transfers. The company emphasized its established practice of cooperating with law enforcement by freezing addresses linked to illegal activities or sanctions violations. Tether reports it has now frozen over $3 billion in USDT in collaboration with 310 agencies across 62 countries, voluntarily freezing a total of 3,440 wallets. This includes cooperation with U.S. authorities on 2,007 cases and blocking 470 addresses to assist law enforcement in Israel and Ukraine. The article also references a previous freeze of 2.5 billion rubles in USDT from the Russian crypto exchange Garantex in March 2025.

Tether has frozen approximately $182 million in its issued stablecoin USDT. The freeze, conducted on January 11, affected five addresses on the Tron blockchain, which held between $12 million and $50 million, according to Whale Alert.

"Tether froze the assets in connection with an ongoing investigation following an official request from law enforcement agencies," a Tether representative told The Block. He clarified that the investigation has been ongoing for several months. No further details were disclosed by the company.

The freeze of over $180 million is one of the largest single freezes of funds in the Tron network that has become known in recent months, the publication notes. Tron is one of the most popular blockchains for transferring funds in USDT. According to the issuer's data as of January 12, the total market capitalization of USDT is $186 billion, of which $82.5 billion is issued on the Tron network.

Tether emphasized that the company "has a long-standing practice of supporting legitimate investigations by freezing addresses associated with illegal activity or sanctions violations, in response to valid requests." Back in late 2023, Tether decided to block tokens on crypto addresses listed on the sanctions list of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

According to information on Tether's website, the company has blocked over $3 billion in USDT as part of cooperation with 310 agencies from 62 countries. In total, Tether has voluntarily frozen 3,440 wallets, of which 2,007 were cases of cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies. 470 addresses with 95 million USDT were blocked by Tether "to assist law enforcement agencies in Israel and Ukraine," the company highlights.

2.5 billion rubles in USDT tokens were frozen by Tether from the Russian crypto exchange Garantex in March 2025. The freeze was conducted as part of a special operation by the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement agencies from a number of European Union countries.

What to expect from the crypto market. How the Trump-Fed conflict will affect prices

Anonymous cryptocurrency Monero reached a new all-time high. Reasons for the growth

In Buryatia, a 'mining truck' stole electricity worth 3 million rubles.

Связанные с этим вопросы

QHow much USDT did Tether freeze on January 11th and on how many wallets?

ATether froze approximately $182 million in USDT across five wallets on the Tron blockchain on January 11th.

QWhat was the official reason given by Tether for freezing these assets?

ATether froze the assets in connection with an ongoing investigation following an official request from law enforcement agencies.

QWhat is the total market capitalization of USDT and how much of it is issued on the Tron network?

AThe total market capitalization of USDT is $186 billion, with $82.5 billion of it issued on the Tron network.

QHow many wallets has Tether frozen in total and how many were at the request of U.S. law enforcement?

ATether has voluntarily frozen a total of 3,440 wallets, with 2,007 of those cases being in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.

QWhich sanctioned list did Tether agree to comply with at the end of 2023?

AAt the end of 2023, Tether decided to block tokens on crypto addresses from the sanctions list of the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Похожее

Will the Fed Still Cut Interest Rates? Tonight's Data Is Crucial

The core debate surrounding the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts is intensifying amid geopolitical conflict and rebounding inflation. The key question is whether high energy prices will cause persistent inflation or weaken consumer demand enough to force the Fed to cut rates. Citigroup presents a bullish case for cuts, arguing that oil supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz are temporary and will not lead to lasting inflationary pressure. They point to receding bond yields and oil prices as evidence the market is pricing in a short-lived shock. Citi's data also shows tightening financial conditions, a stabilizing labor market, and healthy tax returns, supporting their view that the path to lower rates remains open. Conversely, Deutsche Bank offers a starkly contrasting, more hawkish outlook. They argue the Fed's current policy is already neutral and expect rates to remain unchanged indefinitely. Their view is based on stalled disinflation progress and a shift toward more hawkish rhetoric from key Fed officials like Waller, who cited risks from prolonged Middle East conflict and tariffs. Other officials, including Williams and Hammack, signaled rates would likely stay on hold for a "considerable time." The market pricing has shifted dramatically, now forecasting zero cuts in 2026. The imminent release of the March retail sales "control group" data is highlighted as a critical test. This metric, which excludes gas station sales, will reveal if high gasoline prices are eroding consumer spending in other areas. A weak reading could support the case for imminent rate cuts, while a strong one would bolster the argument for the Fed to hold steady. This data is pivotal for determining the near-term policy path.

marsbit7 мин. назад

Will the Fed Still Cut Interest Rates? Tonight's Data Is Crucial

marsbit7 мин. назад

The Second Half of Macro Influencer Fu Peng's Career

Fu Peng, a prominent Chinese macroeconomist and former chief economist of Northeast Securities, has joined Hong Kong-based digital asset management firm Bitfire Group (formerly New Huo Group) as its chief economist. This move, announced in April 2026, triggered an 11% surge in Bitfire's stock price. Fu, known for his accessible macroeconomic commentary and large social media following, will focus on integrating digital assets into global asset allocation frameworks, particularly combining FICC (fixed income, currencies, and commodities) with cryptocurrencies for institutional clients. His career includes roles at Lehman Brothers and Solomon International, with significant influence gained through public communication. However, in late 2024, Fu faced temporary social media bans after a controversial private speech at HSBC on China's economic challenges, though he denied regulatory sanctions. He later left Northeast Securities citing health reasons. Bitfire, a licensed virtual asset manager serving high-net-worth clients, seeks to build trust and attract traditional capital through Fu’s expertise and credibility. The partnership represents a strategic shift for both: Fu enters the crypto sector after a traditional finance peak, while Bitfire aims to leverage his macro framework for institutional adoption. Outcomes remain uncertain regarding capital inflows and compatibility within corporate structure.

marsbit1 ч. назад

The Second Half of Macro Influencer Fu Peng's Career

marsbit1 ч. назад

Stablecoins Don’t Meet Core Requirements Of Money, BIS Says

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) General Manager, Pablo Hernández de Cos, stated that existing stablecoins fail to meet the core requirements of money, specifically "singleness" and "interoperability." Singleness refers to the need for different forms of money to be interchangeable at par value, which is ensured by central banks in traditional finance but not in decentralized stablecoins. Interoperability means seamless cross-platform transactions, which stablecoins currently lack due to fragmentation across multiple blockchains. These shortcomings limit stablecoins' network effects and widespread acceptance, keeping them a "niche" payment instrument. However, de Cos acknowledged their potential to improve cross-border payments, though he also warned of risks to financial stability and monetary policy. Despite a bearish crypto market, the stablecoin market cap has reached a new all-time high of over $320 billion.

bitcoinist1 ч. назад

Stablecoins Don’t Meet Core Requirements Of Money, BIS Says

bitcoinist1 ч. назад

What Does the Outcome of the Midterm Elections Mean for Trump and Crypto?

The article analyzes the potential impact of the upcoming US midterm elections on Trump and cryptocurrency policy. Historically, the president's party loses congressional seats in 90% of midterms since 1946, making a Republican loss in the House highly probable. Current predictions suggest Democrats may take the House while Republicans retain the Senate, resulting in a divided government. Despite potential losses, Trump could still advance crypto-friendly policies through executive orders, agency appointments (if the Senate is held), budget reconciliation, and veto power. However, major structural bills like the CLARITY Act or a comprehensive stablecoin law would likely stall without a Republican majority in both chambers. The crypto industry has invested heavily ($288 million) in the elections to push for favorable legislation before the midterm window closes in mid-2026. While Trump remains the most crypto-friendly US president to date, advancing key reforms may be delayed until after 2028 if the legislative window is missed. The overall pro-crypto shift in US politics is seen as irreversible, even if progress slows temporarily.

marsbit2 ч. назад

What Does the Outcome of the Midterm Elections Mean for Trump and Crypto?

marsbit2 ч. назад

Cardano Leadership Structure Comes Under Scrutiny, Clouding Its Future – See Why

Cardano is recognized as one of the most decentralized blockchains, yet recent criticism highlights its lack of clear leadership. Analyst Cardano Yoda argues that despite the introduction of on-chain governance—which involves DReps (governance decision-makers) and Pentad (leadership and execution)—the network remains centralized in practice. While DReps control treasury spending, they lack coordination and strategic direction, relying instead on founding entities like IOG, the Cardano Foundation, and EMURGO. This creates fragmented leadership and accountability issues. Yoda suggests that DReps should evolve into a more coordinated body, possibly through a board or DAOs, to define strategy and improve governance effectiveness. Enhanced cooperation between DReps, founding entities, and Intersect is essential for Cardano’s future leadership clarity and operational unity.

bitcoinist4 ч. назад

Cardano Leadership Structure Comes Under Scrutiny, Clouding Its Future – See Why

bitcoinist4 ч. назад

Торговля

Спот

Фьючерсы