Tether AI Platform to Support Bitcoin and USDT Payments, CEO Confirms

Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has revealed new details about its upcoming artificial intelligence initiative—Tether AI—which will support payments in both Bitcoin (BTC) and USDt (USDT). The integration will be powered by a newly released Wallet Development Kit (WDK), enabling seamless peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions through self-custodial wallets.

Source: Paolo Ardoino

The announcement was made by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino on May 5 via X (formerly Twitter), where he teased the platform as offering “personal infinite intelligence.” Ardoino highlighted that the AI system will operate on a decentralized architecture with no reliance on centralized APIs or control points, marking a significant shift toward open-source and censorship-resistant AI development.

“Tether AI will support Bitcoin and USDt for fully decentralized peer-to-peer payments, without centralized APIs and with full device flexibility,” said Ardoino.

Decentralized by Design

Unlike many AI services that rely on cloud infrastructure and centralized APIs, Tether AI is being designed to function across “any hardware and device” via a modular, composable, and open-source AI runtime. This setup aims to empower users globally with an adaptable, fully decentralized intelligence platform.

At the heart of this system is the Wallet Development Kit, first introduced in November 2024. The WDK allows developers to build self-custodial wallet applications across mobile, desktop, and web platforms. These wallets let users retain full control of their digital assets, eliminating third-party custody risks and enabling direct P2P transactions.

An excerpt from Tether’s WDK announcement in November 2024. Source: Tether

AI-Powered Financial Autonomy

The crypto payment integration is a strategic step in Tether’s broader vision to blend artificial intelligence with decentralized finance. With the platform expected to launch in 2025, users will be able to leverage the AI’s capabilities while transacting in cryptocurrencies directly—without needing intermediaries or centralized infrastructure.

This announcement follows Tether's December 2024 disclosure that it was developing an AI-focused website with a targeted launch in Q1 2025. The AI division, officially named Tether Data, was launched in April 2024 as part of a major restructuring effort. It is tasked with developing cutting-edge AI tools with an emphasis on privacy, decentralization, and financial independence.

Source: Paolo Ardoino (X post translated by Google)

A Vision Inspired by Sci-Fi

Tether AI’s guiding philosophy is inspired by the vision of famed science fiction author Isaac Asimov. According to Ardoino, the platform aims to lay down the “ideal technological foundation” for a future where AI is an integral part of human experience.

“AI will, in the coming decades, become part of the very fabric of the universe,” Ardoino wrote, quoting Asimov in Italian.

The company is also developing a suite of AI tools, including AI Translate, an AI Voice Assistant, and an AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant, all of which are designed to complement its decentralized AI strategy.

With this move, Tether is positioning itself not just as a stablecoin issuer, but as a key player at the intersection of AI and blockchain—where autonomy, privacy, and decentralization are at the core of the user experience.