Crypto Weekly: Tether’s $1B Mint, El Salvador’s BTC Shift, and Stablecoin Surge

The past week in crypto has been packed with developments across stablecoins, Bitcoin adoption, and institutional moves. Meanwhile, investor confidence in Bitcoin and Ethereum continues to grow, with record activity and institutional fundraising efforts pointing to accelerating adoption. Read all about last week’s highlights.

Tether Prints an Additional $1 Billion USDT

Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, has minted another $1 billion USDT, pushing its total issuance for 2025 to over $36 billion. This marks one of the fastest growth periods for the company, highlighting the strong demand for stablecoins in crypto markets. The new supply is expected to boost liquidity across exchanges and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Analysts note that Tether’s growing dominance reinforces its critical role in crypto trading pairs and settlements.

El Salvador Redistributes 6,284 BTC for Enhanced Security

El Salvador’s government has moved 6,284 Bitcoin into different wallets as part of a strategy to improve asset security. The move aims to protect against potential hacking risks and prepare for future technological threats such as quantum computing.

By redistributing its holdings, the country strengthens custody measures while continuing its pro-Bitcoin policy stance. This is part of El Salvador’s broader strategy to position itself as a crypto-friendly nation and protect national reserves.

Investor Loses $1.25 Million in Presale Scam

A crypto investor lost $1.25 million after being deceived by individuals posing as friends in a private token presale chat. The fraudsters convinced the victim to transfer funds, which were then stolen without any tokens being delivered. Scams like these highlight the growing risks associated with presale investments in unverified projects.

Bitcoin Whale Addresses Reach Record Levels

The number of Bitcoin addresses holding more than 100 BTC has reached an all-time high. This trend suggests that institutional players and wealthy investors are accumulating Bitcoin despite market fluctuations. Analysts view the growth of whale addresses as a sign of long-term confidence in Bitcoin’s value.

Thai Authorities Arrest $50 Million USDT Launderer

In Thailand, police arrested a South Korean national accused of laundering $50 million in illicit funds using USDT. The suspect allegedly managed transactions for a call center gang, funneling proceeds through crypto channels to disguise their origins. Authorities emphasized that the case highlights the challenges of monitoring cross-border stablecoin transfers.

U.S. Government to Publish GDP Data on Blockchain

The U.S. government has revealed plans to publish official GDP data on public blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. This move aims to increase transparency, accessibility, and trust in economic reporting. By leveraging blockchain technology, authorities hope to prevent data tampering and expand public access to reliable statistics. The initiative marks a major milestone in the integration of blockchain into public sector operations. If successful, it could pave the way for wider adoption of distributed ledgers in government data management.

Pantera Capital Eyes $1.25 Billion Solana Fundraising

Pantera Capital is seeking to raise up to $1.25 billion to launch a public company focused on Solana. The initiative reflects growing investor confidence in Solana as a leading blockchain for decentralized applications and high-speed transactions. If successful, this would be one of the largest institutional fundraising efforts in the crypto industry this year.

Circle Issues Record $2.5 Billion USDC in Two Days

Circle, the issuer of USDC, minted a record $2.5 billion worth of stablecoins in just 48 hours. The surge in issuance points to heightened demand for liquidity in crypto markets, possibly linked to increased trading activity and DeFi engagement. This is one of Circle’s fastest issuance periods, underscoring its position as Tether’s closest competitor in the stablecoin market.

Ethereum Transaction Volume Tops $300 Billion in August

Ethereum’s network recorded over $300 billion in transaction volume during August, its highest monthly total since May 2021. The surge highlights renewed activity across DeFi, NFTs, and token transfers on the blockchain.

This level of throughput reinforces Ethereum’s role as the backbone of decentralized applications. The growth also comes as Ethereum continues to benefit from its scaling upgrades and increased institutional interest.

Gucci Expands Crypto Payments in U.S. Stores

Luxury fashion brand Gucci has begun accepting cryptocurrency payments in select U.S. retail locations. The move allows customers to purchase luxury items using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported digital assets. Gucci’s adoption reflects the growing trend of major brands integrating crypto payments to attract a younger, tech-savvy clientele.

About Paybis

Paybis is a global cryptocurrency exchange platform that provides fast, secure, and user-friendly digital asset transactions. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat conversions, enabling users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.

With a strong focus on security and compliance, Paybis is registered with regulatory authorities and implements industry-leading AML/KYC procedures. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, 24/7 customer support, and competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

Wrapping Up

This week highlighted crypto’s expanding influence, from record stablecoin issuance to governments exploring blockchain transparency and luxury brands embracing digital payments. While scams and laundering cases show ongoing risks, the overall trend points to deeper adoption, stronger institutional interest, and a maturing market.

Written by

Rem Vasilenko

Rem Vasilenko is a Growth Operations Manager at Paybis. With a keen interest in FinTech, Rem brings a unique perspective to the evolving digital finance landscape. He combines his passion for FinTech with his marketing and business skills to drive innovative strategies. Find him on LinkedIn.