Tether CEO Responds to S&P Downgrade
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has responded boldly to S&P Global’s recent downgrade of the stablecoin issuer’s rating. Rather than expressing concern, Ardoino confidently claimed that Tether “wears it with pride,” suggesting that the traditional financial sector’s rating systems are outdated and not applicable to the digital asset world.
The comment came shortly after S&P released a report that downgraded Tether’s creditworthiness, citing concerns about transparency and risk management practices. However, Ardoino dismissed the report, asserting that legacy models are ill-equipped to evaluate companies operating within the crypto space.
A Challenge to Traditional Finance Models
Ardoino’s remarks highlight a growing rift between the crypto industry and traditional financial institutions. He argued that the methodologies used by rating agencies like S&P fail to capture the decentralized and innovative nature of crypto companies. According to him, these models rely too heavily on legacy financial structures that do not reflect the real-world operations of blockchain-based firms.
Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has often faced scrutiny regarding its reserves and regulatory compliance. Yet, the company continues to dominate the stablecoin market, maintaining a market cap above $85 billion.
TODAY: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino dismissed S&P’s downgrade, saying the company “wears it with pride” and calling traditional rating models flawed. pic.twitter.com/UNpqsypIfF
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) November 26, 2025
Tether Remains Firm Despite Criticism
Despite the downgrade, Tether shows no signs of slowing down. The company has increased its transparency over time, publishing regular reserve attestations and expanding into Bitcoin and other reserve-backed investments. Ardoino’s confident stance suggests that Tether is focused more on performance and less on traditional approval.
As the lines between traditional finance and crypto continue to blur, Tether’s defiance signals a larger trend in the industry—one where legacy ratings may hold less influence over investor confidence.