Paolo Ardoino Announces Tether AI Platform with Crypto Payment Support

Tether, the issuer behind the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has announced the launch of Tether AI, an open-source artificial intelligence platform. The project aims to create a decentralized network of AI agents capable of performing computations across a variety of hardware, without relying on centralized control points.

The platform will feature native support for payments in USDT and Bitcoin through Tether’s Wallet Development Kit (WDK), which is already available to developers. 

Additionally, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated that Tether AI will soon be accessible via a dedicated website at Tether.ai.

Architecture and Scalability

Tether AI relies on:

• An open runtime environment that operates without API keys and can run on any device
• A modular structure that allows developers to add new components and tailor algorithms to specific tasks 
• A P2P network enabling data exchange between agents without a single point of failure

Related: Tether to Challenge Microsoft, Google, and Amazon in AI Arena

A fully open-source AI runtime, capable of adapting and evolving on any hardware and device, no API keys, no central point of failure, fully modular and composable, WDK-infused to enable USDT and Bitcoin payments,

Paolo Ardoino wrote on X.

Furthermore, each agent will be able to:

• Communicate with other agents 
• Handle financial data requests
• Execute transactions directly on the underlying blockchain

Tether forecasts that the network could scale to billions of active agents, opening new possibilities for automating cryptocurrency operations.

Payment Integration via WDK

Tether AI will integrate the company’s Wallet Development Kit (WDK) to support secure, low-latency payments in USDT and Bitcoin across its P2P network.

Introduced in November 2024, the WDK enables developers to build mobile, desktop, and web wallets with full self-custody functionality. 

According to Ardoino, the fusion of artificial intelligence and crypto-native payments could unlock a new wave of financial services, without relying on traditional intermediaries. 

Related: Tether Hits $1B in Quarterly Profits as USDT Capitalization Climbs $7B

Investment History and Future Plans

• In September 2023, Tether invested in German data center operator Northern Data, later expanding its commitment to $610 million to boost AI-focused computing infrastructure.
• The company’s Tether.ai site also points to potential integration with Keet, a decentralized messaging app, as well as other data aggregation tools. 
• Earlier this year, Ardoino said Tether was developing a range of AI apps, including a translation assistant and a voice-based user interface.

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