Tether Relocates Headquarters to El Salvador, Targeting Expansion in Latin America

The decision follows Tether's recent acquisition of a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) license from Salvadoran authorities.

Cryptocurrency stablecoin issuer Tether plans to relocate its headquarters to El Salvador and establish a physical presence in the Latin American nation, according to an interview with Reuters.

The move comes after Tether obtained a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) license from Salvadoran authorities, permitting the company to operate its USDT stablecoin legally within the country. El Salvador, which became the first nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, has increasingly positioned itself as a pro-Bitcoin jurisdiction by encouraging cryptocurrency firms to establish a physical presence.

Tether Chief Executive Paolo Ardoino told Reuters that the relocation would mark the first time the company maintains a dedicated office space. While Tether employs more than 100 staff globally—most working remotely—Ardoino and several top executives, including co-founders, intend to live in El Salvador.

“This move to El Salvador will be the first time we're going to have a physical headquarters,” said Ardoino. “The country's progressive policies and supportive regulatory environment closely match our vision to foster cryptocurrency adoption in emerging markets.”

Tether's shift to Latin America comes amid stricter crypto regulations in other regions. In Europe, the new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework has prompted some firms to reassess their operations. Tether's growth in the European Union has been tempered by tighter rules, though Ardoino maintains that MiCA will not fundamentally disrupt the firm's global dominance.

The company has also faced scrutiny in the United States, where questions about stablecoin reserves have drawn heightened regulatory attention. In 2021, Tether agreed to pay a $41 million settlement over allegations regarding the composition of its reserves. Tether says it retains most of its cash equivalents, including U.S. Treasuries, at Wall Street brokerage Cantor Fitzgerald—whose chief executive has been tapped to serve in President-elect Donald Trump's new administration.

El Salvador's crypto-friendly environment is largely attributed to President Nayib Bukele, who has advocated the nation's use of Bitcoin to bolster investment and tourism. While the country softened its maximalist stance in December to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) incentive package, El Salvador still holds more than 5,700 bitcoins in its reserves—currently valued at over $500 million—and aims to expand its digital asset infrastructure.

Analysts expect Tether's presence could spur further crypto-related ventures. Some cite Tether's net profit, which reached $10 billion in 2024, as a potential boon to El Salvador's economy—its gross domestic product was around $34 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank.

“This has to have a massive impact on El Salvador,” said James Seyffart, an independent analyst, in a social media post. “Tether's annual profit alone is a significant fraction of the country's GDP.”

According to data from CoinGecko, Tether's USDT token represents roughly two-thirds of the stablecoin market, with $137 billion in circulation. Stablecoins aim to maintain a 1:1 peg with traditional currencies and have become vital for traders seeking to move between cryptocurrencies without exposure to wild price swings.

The stablecoin sector's rapid growth—about 45% over the past year—has drawn concern from regulators who fear a lack of transparency could destabilize broader financial markets. Tether acknowledges these concerns and said last year it would tighten its monitoring of token usage to address the threat of illicit finance.

Ardoino said Tether views Latin America as a strategic region for future expansion, particularly as countries like El Salvador embrace Bitcoin and consider legislating digital assets more favorably. Tether has also announced plans to invest in renewable energy ventures in El Salvador, including a geothermal power project that harnesses volcanic energy, potentially aiding sustainable Bitcoin mining.

“We see El Salvador as a beacon of digital asset innovation,” said Ardoino. “Our goal is to promote financial inclusion and accelerate Bitcoin adoption. Operating here should help us develop new solutions tailored for emerging markets.”

Market observers suggest Tether's relocation could encourage other crypto companies to follow suit. The firm's move comes on the heels of similar decisions by industry players, including Bitfinex Derivatives, which also obtained a DASP license in El Salvador.

With a physical office, a growing local workforce, and full licensure, Tether's move signals confidence in the country's bid to become a worldwide hub for digital currency trading. Both Tether and Salvadoran officials hope the relocation will attract additional investments to a market still in its early stages of development.

Ardoino declined to speculate on whether a Trump presidency could prompt Tether to consider future expansion in the United States. For now, the company's immediate plans are firmly anchored in El Salvador, where it intends to maintain its global headquarters and collaborate with the government to