Tether-Backed Oobit Launches Crypto Tap-to-Pay in U.S. via Bakkt Partnership

Oobit, a mobile payments startup backed by stablecoin issuer Tether, has officially launched its services in the United States. The expansion, which began on Monday, is facilitated through a key partnership with the regulated crypto platform Bakkt, which provides the necessary licenses and compliance infrastructure for operation across all 50 states.

The core offering is a tap-to-pay solution that integrates directly with popular non-custodial wallets. U.S. consumers can use the Oobit app on iOS and Android devices to make purchases directly from wallets including Binance, Trust Wallet, MetaMusk, Phantom, and Base. A significant feature for merchants is the instant settlement in fiat currency, which is processed through existing Visa payment rails, bypassing traditional banking delays.

The launch follows significant regulatory developments in the U.S. stablecoin sector, notably the passage of the GENIUS Act earlier this year. This legislation provided clearer guidelines for stablecoin businesses. Tether has been actively positioning itself within this new framework, appointing Bo Hines, former executive director of Trump’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, as CEO of its U.S. unit to roll out a compliant stablecoin (USAT).

Oobit's expansion is backed by substantial funding and strategic moves. The company raised $25 million in a Series A funding round in 2024, led by Tether and including investors like Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko. In a related technical shift, Oobit recently migrated its rebranded OOB token from the Ethereum blockchain to Solana in November 2025 to enhance scalability.

Bakkt's role is pivotal as a "turnkey" regulatory provider. Its acquisition of money transmitter licenses allows it to facilitate crypto trading and transfers nationally, offering a "B2B2C model" for institutions like Oobit. This partnership ensures Oobit's service is compliant from launch. Furthermore, Oobit has integrated stablecoins from StablR, another Tether-backed project, and secured a separate $100 million investment in OOB tokens from Malaysia-based VCI Global.