Stablecoin issuer Tether has led an $8 million funding round for Speed, a Bitcoin startup that leverages the Bitcoin Lightning Network to facilitate USDT stablecoin transfers. Ego Death Capital also participated in this investment, supporting Speed's mission to enable more enterprise-level stablecoin payments on Bitcoin's layer-2 Lightning Network.
Overview of Tether's Investment in Speed
Speed secured $8 million from Tether and Ego Death Capital to advance its platform. The company utilizes the Bitcoin Lightning Network to provide fast, low-fee USDT transfers, demonstrating how Lightning and stablecoins can work together to move money at scale with strong compliance and global reach. Tether’s CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted Speed’s execution and growing adoption as indicators that Bitcoin-rooted networks are becoming ready for mainstream commerce.
Speed's Platform and Market Reach
Speed serves a diverse user base of over 1.2 million consumers, creators, platforms, and enterprise merchants. Its offerings include the Speed Wallet and Speed Merchant products, which collectively process more than $1.5 billion in annual payment volume. These services facilitate efficient and reliable stablecoin payments, enhancing the usability of USDT within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Strategic Importance for Tether
This investment aligns closely with Tether’s broader strategy to support Bitcoin-focused payment platforms and to broaden the utility of its USDT stablecoin. By backing teams like Speed that build practical infrastructure, Tether aims to reduce friction in payments and increase access to dependable settlement rails. This approach strengthens USDT’s role in global commerce, particularly within Bitcoin’s Lightning Network.
Tether's Broader Investment Portfolio and Financial Performance
Tether’s investment in Speed adds to its portfolio of over 140 companies spanning various sectors such as Bitcoin mining, artificial intelligence, energy, finance, and even football teams. The stablecoin issuer has seen substantial financial success, reporting profits exceeding $10 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, building on $13.4 billion in profit for 2024. These profits primarily derive from interest on US Treasury bills backing USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin by market capitalization.
Why This Matters for Miners
For miners operating in Russia with up to 1,000 devices, Tether’s investment in Speed signals growing infrastructure supporting Bitcoin and its ecosystem. Enhanced USDT payment solutions on the Lightning Network can facilitate smoother transactions and settlements, potentially benefiting miners who engage in Bitcoin-related commerce or payments. While this development does not directly impact mining operations, it contributes to a more robust and accessible Bitcoin payment environment.
What Miners Should Do
Miners should stay informed about advancements in Bitcoin payment technologies like Speed’s platform, as these can influence the broader ecosystem in which they operate. Exploring opportunities to integrate or utilize USDT payments via the Lightning Network may offer benefits in transaction efficiency and cost. Additionally, monitoring Tether’s ongoing investments and market moves can provide insights into the evolving landscape of Bitcoin-related financial infrastructure.
For further context on Tether’s role in accelerating Bitcoin Lightning Network payments, see Tether Invests $8M to Accelerate Bitcoin Lightning Network Payments. To understand Tether’s broader investment activities, including in other sectors, refer to Rumble поглотит Northern Data при поддержке Tether: детали сделки.
