Tether and Opera Team Up to Expand Stablecoin Access in Emerging Markets
Tether, the company behind the widely-known USDT stablecoin, has taken a significant step forward in bringing stable digital assets to users worldwide. Through its latest partnership with Opera’s MiniPay wallet, users can now not only manage USDT but also convert a portion of their holdings into XAUt, Tether’s tokenized gold product. This marks another milestone in making digital assets accessible in regions heavily impacted by inflation and currency volatility.
Why MiniPay Matters
MiniPay is a self-custodial wallet integrated into Opera’s mobile browser, designed with a mobile-first approach. Already operational in over 60 countries, MiniPay has boasted growing adoption in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. With its user-friendly interface and compatibility with both Android and iOS, MiniPay has seen over 12.6 million activations so far, a testament to its value in serving emerging markets.
Protecting Wealth with Stable Digital Assets
The new integration allows MiniPay users to safeguard their wealth in two innovative ways: by saving in USDT, which is pegged to the US dollar, and by switching to XAUt for exposure to gold. “By supporting USDT and XAUt in MiniPay, we’re helping create tools that make digital assets genuinely useful, whether for sending money, saving in dollars, or protecting value in gold,” said Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO.
Fast-Growing Adoption
MiniPay’s growth trajectory is impressive. As of December 2025, the wallet reported over 7 million verified USDT accounts that collectively processed 96 million USDT transfers in just one month. Beyond individual transfers, $153 million in volume was handled that December alone, highlighting the immense potential for financial inclusivity.
Gold as a Safe Haven
The addition of XAUt, Tether’s tokenized gold product, further diversifies MiniPay’s offerings. With gold prices reaching a peak of $5,600 in January 2026, interest in XAUt has soared. Each token represents physical gold stored in Swiss vaults, providing a unique advantage for users seeking a hedge against economic uncertainty. The current circulating supply of XAUt is 712,747 tokens, valued at a $3.4 billion market cap, according to CoinGecko.
Recommended Product: Tether Gold (XAUt)
Tether Gold allows users to invest in gold seamlessly through blockchain technology. With a token fully backed by physical gold reserves, it’s an excellent solution for anyone looking to diversify their portfolio amidst economic uncertainty. Learn more and purchase XAUt at gold.tether.to.
Revolutionizing Mobile Financial Tools
Opera’s EVP of Mobile, Jørgen Arnesen, emphasized MiniPay’s role in introducing stablecoins to new users worldwide. By integrating innovative blockchain solutions like drag-and-drop swaps and tokenized gold products, Opera continues to lead in the Web3 space while gaining traction in financial solutions for mobile users.
What’s Next for Opera and Tether?
As this partnership matures, Opera’s stock is already reflecting investor optimism, having rallied over 13% on partnership-related announcements. Looking ahead, this collaboration is expected to expand further, driving adoption of digital assets and tokenized commodities globally while strengthening Opera’s position as a leader in Web3 innovation.
