Utexo CEO Viktor Ihnatiuk recently met with representatives from Morgan Stanley in Washington to discuss the integration of USDT on the Bitcoin network. The discussions focused on potential adoption strategies for the stablecoin in Europe and global markets. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed the return of USDT to Bitcoin, the network where the asset originally launched in 2014 via the Omni Layer protocol.
The infrastructure for USDT on Bitcoin is powered by Utexo, which utilizes the RGB protocol to facilitate off-chain transactions. Tether previously led a $7,5 million seed funding round for Utexo, with participation from Big Brain Holdings, Portal Ventures, and Franklin Templeton. In August, Utexo integrated its RGB Lightning module into Tether’s Wallet Development Kit to support self-custody wallet development.
While Morgan Stanley has increased its crypto presence by launching a spot Bitcoin ETF and enabling crypto trading via E-Trade, no formal partnership with Utexo has been announced. The upcoming rollout of the technology through the UniSat wallet, which reports over 1 million weekly active users, will serve as a primary test for market demand. A specific release date for the integration remains undisclosed.
Tether first announced its plans to utilize the RGB protocol in August 2025, aiming to improve scalability and privacy for Bitcoin-based stablecoin transactions. Despite these efforts, Tether continues to face regulatory challenges in Europe due to its stance on the MiCA framework's bank-deposit requirements. The company remains committed to leveraging existing networks rather than developing its own blockchain.
