Tether backs Brazil’s Mercado Bitcoin while USDT faces growing restrictions in Europe

Tether has invested $20 million in Mercado Bitcoin, one of Latin America’s largest regulated digital asset platforms, as the stablecoin issuer expands its presence in high-growth markets.

The investment comes as USDT faces increasing restrictions across regulated platforms in Europe. This follows the implementation of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets [MiCA] framework, highlighting the contrasting regulatory environments shaping Tether’s global strategy.

Tether doubles down on Latin America’s regulated crypto infrastructure

Tether said the investment forms part of a strategic financing round for Mercado Bitcoin. It operates a regulated on-chain financial platform serving 4.5 million users. The services cut across trading, tokenized assets, lending, payments, and cross-border financial services.

According to the company, Mercado Bitcoin has issued more than R$2 billion in tokenized assets. Also, it holds more than 10 regulatory licenses across Brazil and Europe, including a Payment Institution license from Brazil’s central bank.

Tether said the funding will help Mercado Bitcoin expand its payments infrastructure, tokenized investment products, lending capabilities, on-chain capital markets, and international operations.

“Tether’s mission is to build open, accessible, and efficient financial infrastructure for the world,” CEO Paolo Ardoino said. He describes Mercado Bitcoin as a regulated platform that combines tokenization, financial services, and blockchain infrastructure at scale.

Europe moves in a different direction under MiCA

The announcement arrives as Europe’s regulatory landscape is becoming more challenging for USDT.

Following the end of MiCA’s transition period on July 1, several regulated crypto platforms have restricted or removed support for USDT in the European Economic Area. They cite the stablecoin’s lack of MiCA authorization. 

Platforms including Kraken, OKX, and Revolut have limited the availability of USDT for European users as they transition towards compliant stablecoins under the new regulatory framework.

While Tether has not announced plans to seek MiCA authorization, the company has continued to expand its business outside Europe. They have done this through investments and partnerships in regions where blockchain adoption and digital financial infrastructure are growing.

Investment reflects Tether’s broader infrastructure strategy

The Mercado Bitcoin investment suggests Tether is looking beyond stablecoin issuance as it expands its global footprint.

Rather than focusing solely on USDT adoption, the company has increasingly invested in businesses developing tokenization, payments, and blockchain-based financial infrastructure. The latest investment continues that strategy by backing a regulated platform positioned at the center of Brazil’s growing digital asset ecosystem.

The announcement repeatedly emphasizes on-chain financial infrastructure, tokenization, and regulated financial services. This underscores Tether’s interest in supporting platforms that bridge blockchain technology with traditional financial markets.

Final Summary

• Tether has invested $20 million in Mercado Bitcoin to support the expansion across Latin America.
• The investment comes as USDT faces growing restrictions on regulated European platforms following MiCA’s implementation.