Tether to Reintroduce USDT on Bitcoin via RGB Protocol After 12 Years

Key Insights:

• Tether plans to issue USDT on Bitcoin again through RGB v0.11.1, marking its first Bitcoin return since Omni in 2014.
• UTEXO will lead the commercial rollout, with USDT transfers between Bitcoin addresses expected as early as July.
• Former Tether CIO Richard Heathcote is seeking to sell part of his 1.26% stake.

Tether plans to issue USDT on the Bitcoin network again through RGB protocol v0.11.1. The stablecoin news would bring the world’s largest stablecoin back to Bitcoin after about 12 years. USDT was first launched on Bitcoin via the Omni Protocol in 2014 before expanding to other blockchains. UTEXO will lead the commercial rollout, with the service expected to begin as early as July.

Tether plans to bring USDT back to Bitcoin through the RGB protocol, a system built to support assets on Bitcoin while keeping transactions linked to Bitcoin addresses. The new version, RGB v0.11.1, will support native USDT issuance on the network. Reports say users will be able to send and receive USDT between compatible Bitcoin wallets once the rollout begins.

UTEXO will handle the commercial launch and distribution process. The company’s role places it at the center of the early rollout, including wallet support and user access. The launch may start this month, although broader exchange and wallet support could take more time. Tether Wallet and several trading platforms may support the feature later.

This planned return marks a major technical shift for USDT’s Bitcoin presence. Tether started on Bitcoin in 2014 through Omni, then later expanded heavily across networks such as Ethereum, Tron, Solana, and others. The RGB rollout gives Tether a path to reconnect USDT with Bitcoin’s base network without returning to the older Omni setup.

The RGB version of USDT could give Bitcoin users another way to move dollar-linked value without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem. Stablecoins play a large role in crypto markets since traders use them for settlement, transfers, and liquidity management. A Bitcoin-based USDT option may support users who want dollar exposure while staying connected to Bitcoin wallets and infrastructure.

The setup could also support transfers through compatible wallets and later services tied to the Lightning Network. That would make the rollout important for payment-focused users, especially those who already rely on Bitcoin rails for fast transfers. The launch adds a stablecoin layer that uses Bitcoin-linked infrastructure.

Despite the stablecoin news, the short-term BTC setup still shows weak risk appetite across parts of the crypto market, with Bitcoin recently sliding from $64,000 toward $62,000 as futures liquidations deepened selling pressure.

Meanwhile, Tether’s private ownership structure faces fresh attention after former chief investment officer Richard Heathcote started talks to sell part of his stake. Heathcote holds 1.26% of Tether and is working with PJT Partners on a partial sale. The deal has not received a public valuation.

A completed sale would give investors a rare reference point for Tether’s private shares. Tether does not trade on a public exchange, and its leadership has not announced plans for an IPO. Chief executive Paolo Ardoino has previously said the company does not need to go public, keeping the focus on private ownership and operating performance.

Tether also continues to report large profits from its reserve business. The company reported $1.04 billion in net profit for the first quarter of 2026 and excess reserves of $8.23 billion. Its reserves remain mostly tied to U.S. government-backed instruments, which have supported income while interest rates stay elevated.

Additionally, Tether’s Bitcoin rollout comes as stablecoin regulation tightens in Europe. The European Union’s MiCA framework has pushed several platforms to reassess support for USDT in the region. Revolut has said European users can buy USDT only until July 6 and must sell or withdraw supported balances by Aug. 31.

USDT still leads the global stablecoin market despite that pressure. DefiLlama data cited in reports shows the stablecoin market near $312 billion, with USDT holding about 59.05% market share and a market value near $184.23 billion. That position keeps Tether central to exchange liquidity, crypto payments, and dollar-based settlement outside the United States.

The post Stablecoin News: USDT Set for Bitcoin Comeback After 12 Years via RGB appeared first on The Market Periodical.