Tether has launched a new platform that aggregates data from multiple wearables and wellness apps into a single, locally processed dashboard, aiming to give users control over their biometric information.
The platform, called QVAC Health, aggregates data from fitness trackers, nutrition apps, and other wearables into an encrypted dashboard that works offline. It uses on-device AI and peer-to-peer model downloads to analyze activity, meals, symptoms, and medication logs without relying on external servers.
The app includes experimental computer-vision tools that can estimate calories and macronutrients from meal photos. It can also correlate these logs with data from multiple wearables to identify patterns in activity, recovery, or sleep, all processed locally on the user’s device, according to a Wednesday announcement.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino described the platform as a “neutral ground for wellness data,” reflecting the “company’s commitment to privacy-preserving local intelligence.”
Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, stated that future updates will include direct Bluetooth Low Energy connections. These connections will allow the app to read data from certain wearables without routing information through manufacturer APIs or cloud services.
This platform is part of Tether Data’s QVAC project, which focuses on building peer-to-peer, device-based AI systems designed to operate without reliance on centralized platforms.
The global fitness-tracker market was valued at $52.29 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $189.98 billion by 2032, according to a Verified Market Research report. Major fitness-tracker manufacturers include Apple, Fitbit, Samsung, and Huawei.
Privacy Concerns Drive New Developments Across Crypto
Tether’s new platform aligns with comments made by CEO Paolo Ardoino in 2024, where he argued that running local AI models directly on user devices was the only reliable method to prevent data harvesting or exposure through centralized servers.
Former White House adviser David Holtzman informed Cointelegraph in December 2024 that AI-driven data aggregation and future quantum threats make large data repositories particularly vulnerable.
Holtzman noted that AI can rapidly assemble behavioral and transactional data to identify targets with greater precision. He also highlighted that future quantum attacks could compromise today’s encryption standards across various sectors. He suggested that decentralized systems can help mitigate these risks by avoiding large, centralized data stores.
The various threats to privacy have prompted some action within the crypto community. In June, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin proposed a “pluralistic identity” model. This digital ID approach allows individuals to prove their identity or qualify for services without revealing all of their personal information.
In December, Fortune reported that Circle is developing a privacy-enhanced stablecoin named USDCx with Aleo. This stablecoin is designed to provide institutional users with banking-level transaction privacy while maintaining the ability to furnish compliance records when necessary.
Growing concerns over data exposure and surveillance have also fueled renewed interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, with the Zcash protocol emerging as one of the beneficiaries.