Tether to Discontinue USDT Support on Five Legacy Blockchains as Part of Strategic Infrastructure Review

Tether, the leading stablecoin issuer, announced on July 11, 2025, that it will cease USD₮ (USDT) support for five legacy blockchains: Omni Layer, Bitcoin Cash SLP, Kusama, EOS, and Algorand. This decision will take effect on September 1, 2025, marking the end of token redemptions and freezing of remaining tokens on these platforms.

This move aligns with Tether's broader strategy to optimize its infrastructure and focus on blockchains that are actively developed and widely utilized. The decision was made following an extensive review of blockchain usage data, market demand, and feedback from community stakeholders and infrastructure partners. Over the past two years, the volume of USDT circulating on these legacy blockchains has significantly decreased.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, stated, "As the digital asset ecosystem evolves, Tether remains committed to adapting alongside it. Sunsetting support for these legacy chains allows us to focus on platforms that offer greater scalability, developer activity, and community engagement — all key components for driving the next wave of stablecoin adoption."

Tether plans to reallocate resources towards emerging blockchains and Layer 2 networks, such as the Lightning Network, which offer improved interoperability, speed, and ecosystem growth. This strategic pivot aims to enhance global accessibility and utility for USDT users.

Holders of USDT on the affected blockchains are advised to redeem their tokens or migrate their holdings to a supported blockchain. Tether customers can request token issuance on supported platforms, while non-customers can seek migration services through available providers.

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to exploring collaborations with innovative blockchain ecosystems and expanding support for scalable Layer 2 networks and DeFi-native chains.

Reflecting a Broader Industry Shift

This shift also highlights a broader industry rebalancing. EOS, for instance, once dazzled the market by raising over $4 billion in the largest ICO of its time. Yet today, its network activity paints a starkly different picture: average daily transactions on the EOS EVM have plunged from roughly 32,000 to just about 1,046 — a drop of over 96% quarter‑over‑quarter.

This significant decline in usage underscores how platforms that once shone bright can fade into the periphery. Tether’s decision reflects this evolving reality, prioritizing blockchains with robust, growing activity and real-world engagement over legacies already in retreat.