MiniPay integrates USDT, expanding stablecoin payments in emerging markets

Tether has expanded support for the USDT stablecoin on Opera’s MiniPay crypto wallet, making it easier for users in emerging markets to access payments and store value in US dollars.

MiniPay is a self-custody wallet built on the Celo blockchain and integrated directly into the Opera mobile browser. The wallet currently supports both USDT and XAUT (a gold-pegged token), allowing users to hold and transfer assets pegged to USD and gold directly on their phones without needing a separate crypto app.

Opera states that MiniPay is experiencing strong growth in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia — regions where traditional banking services are limited or costly. To date, the wallet has over 12 million activated wallets and has processed hundreds of millions of transactions.

Regarding USDT, MiniPay has approximately 7 million verified phone number wallets, with over 3 million peer-to-peer transactions just in December. The total deposits and withdrawals through the wallet this month exceeded $150 million, thanks to integrations with local payment partners and exchanges.

The wallet also supports Tether Gold (XAUT), allowing users to convert directly within the app. Tether promotes the gold-pegged token as a savings option in countries facing currency devaluation.

This expansion comes shortly after Tether reported a net profit of over $10 billion in 2025, with the circulating USDT reaching approximately $186 billion, mainly backed by U.S. Treasury bonds and other reserve assets.