Tether leads $8M funding for Lightning startup focused on stablecoins
Analysis
Price Impact
LowWhile tether's investment in speed is a positive development for the broader crypto ecosystem, particularly for stablecoin utility on the bitcoin lightning network, it is an investment in a startup and not a direct price catalyst for usdt or btc in the short term. the focus is on long-term infrastructure and adoption.
Trustworthiness
HighThe information comes from cointelegraph, citing official statements from tether's ceo paolo ardoino and tether itself regarding an $8 million investment round, making it highly reliable.
Price Direction
NeutralThis news primarily signals increased utility and potential for stablecoin payments on the bitcoin lightning network. while positive for the long-term health and adoption of both usdt and the bitcoin ecosystem, it's unlikely to cause immediate price movements for either asset. the market will likely absorb this as a fundamental, long-term positive.
Time Effect
LongInvestments in infrastructure and startups like speed typically take time to mature and show significant market impact. the benefits of increased efficiency and adoption through the lightning network for stablecoin payments will unfold over an extended period.
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Brayden Lindrea 4 minutes ago Tether leads $8M funding for Lightning startup focused on stablecoins Speed, which leverages the Bitcoin Lightning Network to facilitate USDT transfers, has secured $8 million from Tether and Ego Death Capital. Listen 0:00 News COINTELEGRAPH IN YOUR SOCIAL FEED Stablecoin giant Tether has led an $8 million investment round in Bitcoin startup Speed to support its mission in enabling more enterprise stablecoin payments on the Bitcoin layer-2 Lightning Network. “Speed’s architecture demonstrates how Lightning and stablecoins can operate together to move money at high scale with low fees, strong compliance, and global reach,” Tether said in a statement on Tuesday. “Speed’s execution and adoption signal that Bitcoin-rooted networks are ready for mainstream commerce,” Tether’s CEO Paolo Ardoino added. Source: Tether The Bitcoin ecosystem-focused Ego Death Capital also contributed to Speed’s $8 million investment round. Speed serves over 1.2 million consumers, creators, platforms, and enterprise merchants using its Speed Wallet and Speed Merchant products, processing more than $1.5 billion in annual payment volume. The move also aligns with Tether’s strategy to support Bitcoin-focused payments platforms and broaden the utility of the Tether ( USDT ) stablecoin, Ardoino said. “We back teams building practical infrastructure that reduces friction in payments and increases access to reliable settlement rails.” Source: Speed Tether has been spreading bets across several sectors The investment adds to over 140 companies that Tether already backs as the stablecoin issuer expands from Bitcoin mining to AI, energy, finance, and even football teams. Related: The Bitcoin-to-gold ratio fell 50% in 2025: Here’s why Many of those investments have come from Tether’s eye-popping profits over the last few years, which mostly come from interest on US Treasury bills that back USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin with a $186.3 billion market cap. Tether continues to rake in billions of dollars of profit Tether banked a profit of more than $10 billion across the first three quarters of 2025, building on the $13.4 billion in profit in 2024. It is one of the most profitable companies in the world on a per-employee basis. Magazine: Quantum attacking Bitcoin would be a waste of time: Kevin O’Leary # Bitcoin # Business # Venture Capital # Investments # Adoption # Tether # Stablecoin Add reaction