Tether Engages KPMG for Landmark USDT Audit Amid Regulatory Pressure

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has engaged KPMG to conduct a comprehensive, independent audit of its reserves – a first for the company. This move follows years of scrutiny regarding the transparency of USDT’s backing and a $41 million CFTC fine in 2021. PwC will assist in preparing internal systems for the audit, which will examine Tether’s financial reporting, internal controls, and asset valuation. The audit is seen as a crucial step towards bolstering investor confidence, particularly as Tether pursues U.S. market expansion and potential fundraising efforts. Simultaneously, a draft of the CLARITY Act, a crypto market structure bill, is expected next week, potentially prohibiting yield offerings on stablecoins, drawing criticism from Coinbase and causing a significant drop in Circle’s stock price. This regulatory development adds to the pressure on stablecoin issuers. While the audit is viewed positively, broader market uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, contributed to a downturn in Bitcoin and related crypto stocks, with significant liquidations reported.