Opera’s shares climbed roughly 15% after the company said its self-custodial wallet MiniPay will support Tether’s USDT stablecoin and tether gold (XAUT0). The change brings dollar- and gold-backed tokens into MiniPay’s interface and aims to make them available to millions of users in emerging markets.
Opera's Stock Surge Linked to Tether Integration
The market reaction followed Opera’s announcement that MiniPay will add USDT and XAUT0, a move that directly coincided with the share price increase. Investors appeared to reward the broader crypto access for MiniPay’s user base, which Opera highlights as concentrated in growth markets.
MiniPay's Tether Ecosystem Expansion
Opera says MiniPay has 12.6 million activated wallets and more than 3.64 million onchain users, and that the wallet processed over $153 million in stablecoin transactions in December alone. MiniPay is self-custodial but connects users to on- and off-ramp providers such as Binance, Partna and Fonbank, helping bridge fiat and crypto flows without forcing users to manage low-level blockchain details.
Tether's 2025 Financial Performance
Tether reported it made over $10 billion in net profit for 2025, a result the company attributed to growth in USDT and its Treasury holdings. Alongside that performance, Tether has been buying up to $1 billion of gold per month, reflecting its expansion into gold-backed tokens like XAUT0; for additional context on Tether’s gold tokens see Tether gold token.
Global Payment Infrastructure Growth
Opera has been extending its payments rails through the “Pay like a local” feature, initially enabling local instant payments in Argentina and Brazil and later expanding to instant SEPA payments in Europe and instant bank transfers in Nigeria. These rails work alongside MiniPay’s crypto connectivity and aim to simplify moving between local fiat systems and stablecoins.
Why this matters
For miners, the MiniPay update can make it easier to access USDT and XAUT0 without running separate blockchain software or custodial setups. Because MiniPay links to fiat on- and off-ramps, miners who convert mined coins into stablecoins or gold tokens may find a more direct path to local payment systems.
At the same time, the announcement mainly affects how tokens are accessed and routed, not mining operations themselves. Still, changes in available rails and liquidity can influence how you move proceeds from mining rigs into fiat or alternative stores of value.
What to do?
- Check MiniPay compatibility with your workflow: if you already use on‑ and off‑ramps listed by Opera (for example, Binance, Partna, Fonbank), test a small transfer to see fees and settlement speed.
- Verify custody and control: MiniPay is self‑custodial, so confirm you understand private key handling and backup procedures before moving significant amounts into USDT or XAUT0.
- Confirm local fiat rails you rely on: the "Pay like a local" expansion covers SEPA and Nigeria, but if you operate in Russia, ensure your chosen on‑ramp supports transfers from MiniPay to your local bank or service.
- Use small tests when trying XAUT0: gold‑backed tokens differ operationally from stablecoins, so send a minimal amount first and consult MiniPay provider instructions.
- Monitor transaction volumes and service notices: MiniPay processed $153 million in December, indicating active use; keep an eye on provider updates that could affect liquidity or access.
For miners who want to track related developments—like Tether’s asset moves—see coverage of Tether’s BTC purchases for further context on the issuer’s market activity.
