Tether and Opera Enhance Financial Access in Emerging Markets with MiniPay

On February 2, 2026, Tether, a leading stablecoin issuer, announced the integration of its USD? and Tether Gold (XAUt0) into MiniPay, a self-custodial wallet developed by Opera on the Celo blockchain. This collaboration aims to provide millions of users in emerging markets with stable, dollar-denominated financial services, thereby promoting global financial inclusion. The MiniPay wallet has gained significant traction, boasting over 12.6 million activated wallets and facilitating 350 million transactions.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay

The adoption of USD? within MiniPay has surged, particularly in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. In the fourth quarter of 2025, MiniPay experienced a 50% increase in on-chain users, reaching 3.64 million. By December 2025, the platform recorded 7 million phone-verified USD? wallets and 300,000 unique buyers, marking a 33% month-over-month growth. Notably, users initiated over 96 million USD? in transfers and 3.5 million peer-to-peer payments in December alone, reflecting a growing demand for stable, dollar-based transactions.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay

MiniPay not only supports USD? but also Tether Gold (XAUt0), which allows users to convert their balances into gold-backed tokens easily. With gold prices rising nearly 50% in 2025, XAUt0 offers an inflation-resistant savings option. Users can maintain liquidity while preserving value, making it a practical choice for households in emerging markets. Tether's commitment to transparency and accessibility is evident in its efforts to connect local economies to a global liquidity network through partnerships with local service providers like Fonbank and Binance.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, emphasized the company's mission to provide reliable access to stable value, stating, “By supporting USD? and XAUt0 in MiniPay, we’re helping create tools that make digital assets genuinely useful.” Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, added, “Integrating USD? directly into MiniPay turns smartphone reach into real financial access,” highlighting the initiative's impact on users who are engaging with digital dollars for the first time.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay

While the initiative has been praised for enhancing financial access, some critics argue that reliance on digital currencies may not fully address the underlying issues of financial literacy and infrastructure in emerging markets. Concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with cryptocurrency volatility and the need for robust regulatory frameworks to protect users.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay

There are no significant conflicting reports regarding the integration of USD? and XAUt0 into MiniPay. However, the long-term sustainability of this initiative and its impact on local economies remain to be fully assessed.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay

As Tether and Opera continue to expand their services, further developments in the MiniPay ecosystem are expected, potentially including additional partnerships and features aimed at enhancing user experience and financial accessibility in emerging markets.

Tether and Opera Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets Through MiniPay