S&P Downgrades Tether Over Reserve and Disclosure Risks

The downgrade reflects concerns over persistent gaps in disclosure, high-risk assets in reserves, and a lack of robust regulatory oversight. For a digital dollar that underpins much of crypto trading, this move underscores the unique risk landscape within the crypto ecosystem. Investors and beginners alike should take note that even foundational stablecoins are not immune to scrutiny.

Key Factors Behind the Downgrade

S&P cited several factors driving its decision. First, Tether holds a significant portion of its reserves in assets considered high risk, rather than exclusively cash or cash equivalents. Second, the company has faced persistent disclosure gaps, leaving questions about reserve composition and liquidity. Third, the stablecoin operates without a fully enforced regulatory framework, meaning there are no mandatory rules ensuring transparency or segregation of assets.

Additionally, Tether does not offer primary redeemability for all holders, limiting the ability of users to redeem tokens directly for fiat on demand. Taken together, these elements paint a picture of risk that is unusual for what many consider a “safe” digital dollar.

A recent trend illustrates this concern. During periods of market stress, such as the crypto sell-offs in mid-2024, Tether’s price briefly deviated from its one-to-one peg with the US dollar, prompting panic in crypto markets. Traders and exchanges that rely heavily on USDT for liquidity were temporarily affected, highlighting how even a widely adopted stablecoin can influence market stability.

Despite these warnings, Tether remains a central player in the crypto ecosystem, with a circulating supply exceeding $180 billion. Its dominance in trading pairs, lending protocols, and decentralised finance platforms shows that market participants continue to rely on it. However, the S&P downgrade is a reminder that stablecoins carry operational and regulatory risks that differ from traditional fiat.

More About Tether

Tether Hadron, S.A. de C.V., announced that its asset tokenisation platform, Hadron by Tether, has partnered with Crystal Intelligence to enhance blockchain compliance and analytics for tokenised real-world assets worldwide. This collaboration strengthens the compliance, transparency, and security framework for institutions issuing and managing tokenised assets on the platform.

As the tokenisation market evolves, integrating enterprise-grade compliance tools ensures that both issuers and investors can meet rigorous regulatory and operational standards while safely participating in the growing digital asset ecosystem.