Tether Invests in EFY Finance to Expand Institutional Stablecoin Adoption Across Latin America
Tether has invested in EFY Finance as part of the company's seed funding round, aiming to expand institutional adoption of its USD₮ and USA₮ stablecoins across Latin America. Announced on October 13, 2026, the investment is intended to strengthen the financial infrastructure connecting digital dollars with banks, businesses and traditional payment systems throughout the region.
EFY Finance provides stablecoin-based cross-border payments, financial accounts and digital asset custody services across Latin America. Its infrastructure supports USD₮ and USA₮ transactions, over-the-counter (OTC) services, wallets and payment cards across more than 12 currencies and corridors, with settlements to local bank accounts in 17 countries.
The company is licensed as a Digital Asset Service Provider in El Salvador and operates regulated services for more than 25,000 active individual and business accounts. Tether said EFY Finance's existing customer base, distribution network and licensed infrastructure position it to support broader institutional use of stablecoins.
Tether Targets Institutional Stablecoin Adoption in Latin America
The investment focuses on improving the connections between stablecoins and conventional financial services. EFY Finance already has a presence in Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama and Ecuador, markets identified as important to its expansion strategy.
By supporting EFY Finance, Tether aims to help strengthen the infrastructure businesses and financial institutions need to use digital dollars for payments, account services and cross-border settlements. The initiative reflects an effort to make stablecoin transactions more accessible through established banking connections and local payment networks.
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said access to the U.S. dollar remains important across Latin America, particularly in countries experiencing inflation and capital controls.
“Across Latin America, the US dollar is a lifeline against inflation and capital controls. USD₮ and USA₮ are how people access it, but doing so simply and reliably takes regulated infrastructure, banking connections, and real distribution,” Ardoino said.
He added that EFY Finance was positioned to help address these infrastructure challenges and make dollar access easier across the region.
EFY Finance Plans to Connect Stablecoins With Traditional Payments
Andrés Tobón, co-founder and CEO of EFY Finance, said the next stage of stablecoin adoption would depend on integrating digital dollars with the financial services businesses already use.
“The challenge now is making them work seamlessly with the financial systems businesses use every day,” Tobón said, pointing to bank accounts, local payment networks, cards and cross-border settlement as key components of the infrastructure.
Tobón said Tether's participation as a strategic investor would help EFY Finance accelerate its plans and expand institutional access to USD₮ and USA₮ across Latin America.
Latin America's Cryptocurrency Market Supports Stablecoin Demand
The investment comes as Latin America continues to attract significant cryptocurrency activity. According to Chainalysis, the region recorded nearly $1.5 trillion in cryptocurrency transaction volume between July 2022 and June 2025.
Persistent inflation, currency volatility and capital controls in several countries have contributed to demand for stablecoins as a store of value and a potential hedge against local economic risks. The announcement also stated that stablecoin purchases account for more than half of all exchange purchases.
As regulatory frameworks develop and licensed service providers expand, Tether and EFY Finance are seeking to strengthen the connections between digital assets and traditional financial infrastructure. Their strategy centers on making stablecoin services more practical for institutional users and businesses across the region.
USA₮ Issued by Anchorage Digital Bank
USA₮ is a U.S.-dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., a federally chartered bank. Tether has supported its launch, with the product designed to serve the U.S. market and comply with U.S. regulatory standards.
According to the announcement, USA₮ is intended to support commerce, trade and financial applications. However, the stablecoin is not legal tender and is not issued, backed, approved or guaranteed by the U.S. government. It is also not covered by deposit or investor protection from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) or any other government agency.
Anchorage Digital Bank N.A. is the issuer of USA₮.
data source:tether.io
Writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.
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