Tether's regulated stablecoin, USA₮ (USAT), has officially launched on the Celo blockchain, marking its first deployment outside of the Ethereum ecosystem. This strategic expansion, announced on April 1, 2026, is a key part of Tether's U.S. growth strategy and introduces the token to a mobile-first, payment-focused network.
The rollout is supported by significant infrastructure partnerships. Google Cloud is providing support for the stablecoin's distribution system, while a privacy-preserving mainnet faucet, developed with Self, will allow verified users to access USAT tokens. This faucet utilizes a proof-of-humanity verification mechanism to screen users while protecting their privacy.
Celo's governance is expected to begin a process to enable USAT to be used as a gas currency on the network. If approved, users could pay transaction fees directly with the stablecoin, simplifying the payment experience. Celo was selected due to its focus on real-world payments and mobile accessibility, highlighted by its integration with Opera MiniPay, which reportedly has over 14 million wallet users globally.
"This is how we continue to extend access to trusted, programmable money at a global scale," said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. Celo co-founder Rene Reinsberg called the launch "a powerful validation of the infrastructure we've spent years building."
Financially, USAT is a fully regulated stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank and supported by Tether. An attestation report from Deloitte, released earlier in the month, confirmed that as of January 31, the stablecoin was backed by $17.6 million in reserves (cash and U.S. Treasuries) against approximately $17.5 million in tokens in circulation. The product is designed to comply with U.S. regulations, including the GENIUS Act.
The move positions USAT within a high-activity environment—Celo boasts over 4.2 million active weekly users—and is seen as a step toward capturing a share of the rapidly growing stablecoin market, which analysts project could reach $2 trillion by 2028.
