Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest Stablecoin, said on Sunday that 85 877 USDT was frozen in USDT (USDT) associated with stolen funds, acting in “cooperation with law enforcement agencies”. This move again aroused a debate about the role of centralized issuers of Stablecoin in the enforcement of cryptographic compliance.
Freezing, although relatively compact compared to other such activities according to imprisonment, increases the growing record of intervention. Tether says he was frozen $ 2.5 billion At USDT, it associated with illegal activities and blocked over 2,090 portfolios in cooperation with the global authorities.
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Stablecouins: a powerful tool for enforcement
Unlike truly decentralized and resistant to censorship, cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum-in which no individual unit can block or vice versa transactions-Tether and other Stablecoin emitters can freeze USDT and their appropriate stablecins at an smart level of contract.
This centralized control allows Stablecoin issuers to react quickly to hacks, fraud and regulatory pressure. In the case of Tether, he translated into one of the largest assets freezes in the history of cryptocurrencies.
In November 2023, Tether froze $ 225 million in USDT from a portfolio related to the human trafficking network and romance (often called the scheme of “Ścibnik Świni”). The action was carried out in cooperation with OKX and American law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice and Secret Service.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alc2U0ynfca
In June 2025, Tether aimed in 112 wallets, which contain about $ 700 million in USDT throughout the throne and Ethereum Blockchains. Funds were related to Iran -related entities, and the freezing was perceived as part of wider efforts to enforce US sanctions in connection with growing geopolitical tensions.
These deafening interventions reflect the change of perception of stablecoin-not only as digital dollars, but as lively financial enforcement instruments. CEO of Paolo Ardoino adopted the evolving identity of Tether as a cryptographic compliance enforcement.
“Tether’s ability to track transactions and freezing USDT associated with illegal activity distinguishes it from traditional FIAT and decentralized assets,” wrote Ardoino in the March post on the blog about Tether’s website. “Let’s take responsibility for serious combating financial crimes and we will continue to work closely with global law enforcement agencies.”
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Well -kept of the power of enforcement Tether
Tether’s ability and readiness to freeze user funds raised concerns among some people in the cryptographic community. Critics say that if Stablecoin issuers are routinely cooperating with law enforcement agencies, the result may resemble the digital currency of the Central Bank (CBDC), undermining the basic cryptographic values of financial sovereignty and decentralization.
Users X called the latest Tether action “slippery slope”. One user wrote: “Can anyone explain how it is not CBDC?”
Another person following history noticed that “centralized control has their moments.” In this case, “a quick reaction from Tether saved $ 85,000 before disappearing in the void.”
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