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Tether seeks to expand access to collateralised lending across the digital assets ecosystem and sees Bitcoin-backed loans platform Ledn as a key player.

USDT issuer Tether, one of the largest crypto companies in the world, announced this move with a strategic investment in Ledn.

The investment is part of Tether’s commitment to global financial inclusion, a milestone that could get a significant boost via real-world financial infrastructure such as that which Ledn offers.

In an announcement, Tether said investing in the bitcoin-backed lending platform brings credit opportunities to both individuals and businesses, all without customers having to sell their cryptocurrencies.

“Our investment reflects Tether’s belief that financial innovation should empower people”, said Paolo Ardoino, chief executive officer of Tether. “Together with Ledn, we are expanding access to credit without requiring individuals to sell their digital assets,” Ardoino added.

According to the Tether chief, backing Ledn is among the key steps towards strengthening self-custody and financial resilience.

The real-world impact is immense, Ardoino noted.

What does Ledn offer?

Ledn is a digital asset credit and savings platform. It’s a leading lender in the consumer bitcoin-backed loans market, boasting infrastructure across custody, risk management and liquidation systems.

The platform, which has facilitated more than $2.8 billion in BTC-backed loans, is eyeing expansion for its retail and institutional offering.

With over $1 billion in collateralised loans in 2025 alone, getting Tether’s backing means potentially scaling this capacity even further.

According to Data Intelo, the crypto-backed loans market is poised for rapid expansion, with projected growth of more than $60 billion by 2033.

“We expect demand for bitcoin financial services to continue soaring, and this collaboration with Tether ensures that Ledn remains well-positioned to lead as the market continues to evolve and grow. We are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead to collaborate and innovate in this space,” said Adam Reeds, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Ledn.

Tether, Ledn eye massive market

Reeds said the platform’s loan book is on track to expand to nearly three times its 2024 size, a trajectory he argues supports the firm’s decision to “go all-in on bitcoin.”

Ledn originated $392 million in loans in the third quarter of 2025, a level almost equal to its total volume for all of 2024.

Its annual recurring revenue now exceeds $100 million.

Separately, Tether’s third-quarter 2025 attestation showed year-to-date net profit above $10 billion.

The stablecoin issuer’s earnings have grown alongside an expanded investment portfolio that now includes artificial intelligence, energy and peer-to-peer communication.

Amid these efforts, Tether’s global user base surpassed 500 million users. The company held over $6.8 billion in excess reserves.

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