18 June 2025 – Tether, the largest company in the digital assets industry, today announced that it has been acknowledged by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for its assistance in a major enforcement action involving the seizure of approximately $225 million in USDt. The funds were linked to an extensive “pig butchering” fraud operation that targeted individuals across multiple jurisdictions
This action builds on Tether’s broader efforts to lead the digital asset industry in compliance, transparency, and global crime prevention. To date, Tether has frozen and blocked over $2.7 billion in USDt connected to illicit activity, leveraging real-time tracking, advanced analytics, and direct collaboration with over 255 law enforcement agencies across more than 55 countries. As the scale and sophistication of crypto-related crime continue to evolve, Tether’s commitment to safeguarding users and supporting global enforcement efforts has set a new benchmark for financial security in the digital asset ecosystem.
Working closely with the DOJ, Tether facilitated the seizure of assets identified as proceeds of pig butchering fraud. The collaboration underscores Tether’s ongoing commitment to supporting law enforcement and protecting the integrity of the global financial system.
“Tether’s work with the Department of Justice underscores our commitment to transparency, proactive engagement with law enforcement, and the protection of users across the digital asset ecosystem,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “We are setting the standard for compliance in digital assets and leading efforts to ensure stablecoins are not misused by bad actors.”
This latest action builds on Tether’s ongoing support of global law enforcement. In March 2025, Tether helped the U.S. Secret Service freeze $23 million in USDt linked to the sanctioned exchange Garantex. That same year, it worked with Tron, TRM Labs, and Spanish authorities to freeze over $100 million in illicit funds In 2024, Tether supported the Ontario Provincial Police in recovering stolen digital assets and assisted the DOJ in freezing over $6 million connected to a Southeast Asia-based criminal network and supported the seizure of over $6 million linked to digital asset fraud and confidence schemes.
For more information on Tether’s security and compliance initiatives, please visit TetherFacts.com.
