Key facts
- Adecoagro, majority-owned by Tether, will launch a Bitcoin mining operation in Brazil.
- The Brazilian Bitcoin mining pilot project is scheduled to begin around July 1, 2026.
- The operation will use electricity generated from sugarcane residue (bagasse).
- The initial capacity of the Brazilian mining operation will be 10 megawatts with 1,280 machines.
- Tether plans to launch a digital token pegged to the Georgian lari.
- Tether (USDT) holds nearly 100% market share in most Latin American stablecoin markets.
- Tether and Fasset have launched a gold-backed Visa card.
- The gold-backed Visa card operates on the Visa network.
- US authorities flagged Brazil's Pix payment system in a trade report.
- Chilean authorities seized $88 million in digital assets while dismantling a crypto laundering ring.
- Bitdeer has started construction on a 100 MW facility in Alberta, Canada.
- The Alberta facility will feature on-site gas power generation.
Tether, the world's largest stablecoin issuer, is pursuing a multi-faceted expansion strategy, venturing into Bitcoin mining, national currency-pegged tokens, and innovative payment solutions. Adecoagro, a company majority-owned by Tether, is set to launch a Bitcoin mining pilot project in Brazil around July 1, 2026. This operation will leverage electricity generated from sugarcane residue, known as bagasse, and will initially feature 1,280 mining machines with a 10-megawatt capacity. This initiative aligns with a broader trend of Bitcoin miners seeking dedicated and often renewable power sources.
In parallel, Tether is deepening its presence in Georgia by planning to launch a digital token pegged to the Georgian lari. This move signifies growing cryptocurrency ambitions within Georgia but has also drawn scrutiny regarding transparency, particularly given the government's endorsement. The company's stablecoin, USDT, continues to assert dominance in Latin America, holding nearly 100% market share in most regional stablecoin markets and functioning as the primary dollar proxy for transactions, with usage levels comparable to cash.
Further diversifying its offerings, Tether has collaborated with Fasset to introduce the world's first gold-backed Visa card. This card allows users to spend fiat currency globally while simultaneously earning rewards in tokenized gold. Operating on the Visa network, the card ensures broad merchant acceptance worldwide. These diverse ventures highlight Tether's strategic push to integrate its stablecoin and related financial technologies into traditional and emerging markets, from energy-intensive mining to everyday consumer spending and national currency pegs.
Separately, the broader cryptocurrency landscape sees regulatory attention and enforcement actions. The U.S. has identified Brazil's Pix payment system in a trade report, citing potential trade restrictions. In Chile, authorities have dismantled a cryptocurrency laundering ring associated with the criminal group Tren de Aragua, seizing approximately $88 million in digital assets. These developments underscore the evolving regulatory environment and enforcement efforts surrounding digital assets globally.