The UN “completely neglects” developing economies using stablecoins like USDT because servicing them would be “unprofitable” for the agency, Tether argued.
Major stablecoin firm Tether has responded to a United Nations (UN) report highlighting the alleged involvement of its Tether
USDT
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stablecoin in illicit activity.
On Jan. 15, the Southeast Asia and the Pacific division of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) issued a report on the use of cryptocurrencies in illegal activities and underground banking.
Titled “Casinos, Money Laundering, Underground Banking, and Transnational Organized Crime in East and Southeast Asia: A Hidden, Accelerating Threat,” the report referred to
the USDT stablecoin as one of the primary vehicles for money laundering in the region. The report specifically referred to the rising popularity of USDT based on the Tron blockchain.
“USDT on the Tron blockchain has become a preferred choice for regional cyber fraud operations and money launderers alike due to its stability and the ease, anonymity, and low fees of its transactions,” the UNODC report stated.
إقرأ أيضا:Sensitive data leaked in Kroll cybersecurity breach — ReportChallenging the UN’s study on Jan. 15, Tether emphasized that the agency’s analysis has “ignored the traceability” of USDT and disregarded its proven record of
collaborating with law enforcement worldwide. “The UN should also discuss how centralized stablecoins can improve anti-financial crime efforts,” Tether said, adding that the firm is committed to collaboration on such matters.
Tether mentioned that it froze more than $300 million in USDT involved in illicit activities over the past few months, including $225 million frozen in November
2023 as part of a United States investigation into a Southeast Asian human trafficking syndicate. Tether stated:
إقرأ أيضا:Sam Bankman-Fried will not file any post-trial motions, say lawyers“The UN’s assessment singles out USDT highlighting its involvement in illicit activity while ignoring its role in helping developing economies in emerging markets,
completely neglected by the global financial world simply because servicing such communities would be unprofitable for them.”
Tether went on to say that tracking Tether tokens through collaboration with global law enforcement ensures “unparalleled monitoring, surpassing traditional banking systems
that for decades have been the vessel for laundering substantial sums.” The stablecoin firm called on
the global community and the UN to cooperate and expand awareness of blockchain technology to better respond to financial crimes.
