Tether bets on Bitcoin Lightning stablecoin… invests 8 million dollars in Speed

Tether has moved to expand the payment infrastructure for stablecoins based on the Bitcoin Lightning Network. It is investing 8 million dollars in Speed, a Bitcoin layer-2 payments startup, with a strategy to broaden the payment use of Tether (USDT) into the corporate payments sector.

On the 17th (local time), Cointelegraph reported that Tether led an 8 million dollar investment round for Bitcoin startup Speed. The round also included participation from Bitcoin ecosystem-focused investment firm Ego Death Capital. Speed is developing payment infrastructure that uses the Bitcoin Lightning Network to support USDT transfers.

In a statement, Tether said, "Speed's architecture demonstrates that the Lightning Network and stablecoins can work together as a payment method with low fees, high scalability, strong regulatory compliance, and global accessibility." Paolo Ardoino, Tether's chief executive officer (CEO), also said, "Speed's execution and adoption speed indicate that Bitcoin-based networks are ready for mainstream commerce."

Speed supports more than 1.2 million consumers, creators, platforms, and corporate merchants through its Speed Wallet and Speed Merchant products. Its annual processed payment volume is reported to exceed 1.5 billion dollars. Tether explained that this investment aligns with its strategy to support Bitcoin-centered payment platforms and expand real-world use cases for USDT.

CEO Ardoino said, "We support teams building tangible infrastructure that reduces friction in payments and increases access to trusted payment rails." Stablecoin payments over the Lightning Network are evaluated as offering advantages in cost and speed for cross-border remittances and corporate payments.

This investment is interpreted as a continuation of Tether's aggressive business expansion. Tether has currently invested in more than 140 companies and has broadened its investment scope to include Bitcoin mining, artificial intelligence, energy finance, and even soccer clubs. These investments are analyzed as originating mainly from Tether's high profitability based on interest income from U.S. Treasury securities.

In fact, Tether recorded net profits of more than 10 billion dollars during the first three quarters of 2025. This follows 13.4 billion dollars in profit for the year 2024, and the company is regarded as one of the world's top firms in terms of profitability per employee.