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Tether Says It Has Frozen $4.2 Billion in USDT as DOJ Seizes $61 Million Linked to Scams

Law-enforcement agencies increasingly rely on the company’s ability to lock wallets at request.

Overview

  • The company reports roughly $4.2 billion in tokens frozen over suspected illicit links, with about $3.5 billion locked since 2023.
  • U.S. prosecutors this week seized about $61 million in USDT tied to so‑called pig‑butchering investment schemes, following on‑chain tracing of fraud proceeds.
  • USDT in circulation now tops an estimated $180 billion, up from around $70 billion three years ago, expanding the scale of assets subject to freezes.
  • Tether cites recent cooperation with U.S. and international authorities, including actions involving the DOJ, U.S. Secret Service, Brazilian officials, OKX, and the Royal Thai Police.
  • Global pressure for stricter controls is rising, with the FATF urging tougher measures and researchers estimating at least $82 billion in crypto received by money launderers last year.