USDT Adoption Surges: Over 330 Million On-Chain Wallets by Q3 2024

USDT, a prominent stablecoin in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, has witnessed significant adoption, with over 330 million on-chain wallets and accounts receiving USDT by the end of Q3 2024, according to Tether. This figure underscores USDT's pivotal role in the digital currency market, although it does not account for the additional tens of millions using USDT exclusively on centralized platforms.

A Growing On-Chain Presence

As of the beginning of Q4 2024, 109 million on-chain wallets held USDT, surpassing the number of wallets holding Bitcoin and nearing the 128 million wallets holding Ethereum. This positions USDT as one of the most broadly held digital assets. Furthermore, 86 million accounts on centralized platforms have received on-chain USDT deposits, illustrating the stablecoin’s integration into the broader financial ecosystem. Notably, 46% of web visits to exchanges were from emerging markets, where USDT is often used within platforms for transactions.

Continued Trust and Utility

Tether estimates that at least a third, and potentially half, of the 330 million on-chain users who have received USDT continue to retain it, highlighting ongoing trust in USDT as a store of value. Many wallets that have depleted their USDT balances are frequently reactivated, signifying repeated use for transactions. In fact, 29% of wallets with less than one cent of USDT have been reactivated previously.

Impact on Emerging Markets

USDT plays a crucial role in financial accessibility, particularly in emerging markets where traditional banking systems are less prevalent. Approximately 18.7 million wallets hold between one cent and one dollar of USDT, a significant amount for users primarily engaging in transactions rather than savings. This aligns with data from the World Bank, indicating that 59% of the global population lives on less than $10 a day. Thus, USDT's presence in low-balance wallets highlights its utility in economic development.

Dominance in the Stablecoin Sector

USDT maintains a stronghold in the stablecoin market, with four times more wallets than all other stablecoins combined. As of November 1, 54 million on-chain wallets held more than one cent of USDT, compared to 13.8 million for other stablecoins. This dominance is further evidenced by a 71% growth in USDT wallets over the past year, particularly among those holding less than $1,000. The collapse of FTX prompted many users to self-custody their USDT, bolstering its appeal as a reliable stablecoin even amid challenges faced by competitors like USDC and DAI.

Conclusion

USDT's extensive adoption underscores its role as a financial tool for millions worldwide. Its ability to serve as a stable store of value and medium of exchange, especially in regions with limited access to traditional banking, highlights its significance in the global financial landscape. The prevalence of low-balance wallets emphasizes USDT's accessibility, while its reactivation rate demonstrates its reliability for users with intermittent access to funds.