Tether Dives into Bitcoin Mining with OCEAN, Shaking Up the Crypto World!

Tether's Big Move: Boosting Bitcoin's Decentralization

Hang onto your hats, crypto fans! Tether, the powerhouse behind USDT, is making waves again. They just announced on April 14 that they're jumping into Bitcoin mining through OCEAN's mining pool. Yep, you heard right—they're rolling out their hashrate globally, from bustling hubs to underserved spots in Africa. Talk about a game-changer!

Why OCEAN? It's All About Keeping Bitcoin Real

Tether isn't just doing this for kicks. Their CEO, Paolo Ardoino, is on a mission to beef up Bitcoin's network and keep it out of the hands of centralizing forces. "Deploying hashrate to OCEAN aligns with both our mining investments and our broader mission to fortify Bitcoin against centralizing forces," Ardoino declared. And who better to team up with than OCEAN, launched by Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr?

Luke Dashjr, Chairman and CTO at OCEAN, is stoked about the partnership. "Tether's involvement is a strong signal that decentralization remains a core priority for Bitcoin's future. Their participation underscores the value of open, censorship-resistant mining protocols," he said, clearly fired up about what this means for Bitcoin.

OCEAN's Journey: From Launch to Leading the Charge

OCEAN's been on a roll, backed by none other than Jack Dorsey. They launched their mining pool late in 2023 and moved their headquarters to El Salvador in May 2024. And just when you thought they couldn't get any busier, they introduced DATUM in September 2024—decentralized alternative templates for universal mining. These guys are not messing around!

Tether's Expanding Empire

Meanwhile, Tether's not slowing down either. Their stablecoin, USDT, has ballooned to over $144 billion, and they're setting up shop in Bitcoin-friendly El Salvador in early 2025. This move with OCEAN is just part of their bigger plan, which includes diving into infrastructure, education, and AI.

And get this: Tether's user base just hit a whopping 400 million, with a 14% spike in just five months leading up to March 2025. Most of that growth? It happened in the first quarter of 2025. They're also beefing up their stake in Latin America firm Adecoagro, now owning 70% of it. Tether's on a roll, and it's clear they're here to shake things up in the crypto world!