Tether Deploys Bitcoin Hashrate on the OCEAN Mining Protocol

Tanzeel Akhtar has been covering the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector since 2015. She has written for the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine and Bitcoin.com.

Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has announced the strategic deployment of its existing and future Bitcoin hashrate on the OCEAN mining protocol.

This move was revealed in a joint press release on Thursday.

Tether’s integration of OCEAN’s DATUM Gateway will commence with its mining operations in Africa, aiming to enhance the network’s decentralization and transparency.

OCEAN’s protocol provides a different approach to mining, allowing miners to generate their own block templates using the open-source DATUM protocol. This eliminates reliance on centralized intermediaries and enhances the Bitcoin network’s resilience against censorship.

Teather’s hashrate deployment will utilize OCEAN’s DATUM Gateway software, which is designed for mining operations and interoperable with the open-source DATUM protocol.

“As a company committed to financial freedom and open access, we see supporting decentralization in Bitcoin mining as essential to the network’s long-term integrity,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “Deploying hashrate to OCEAN aligns with both our mining investments and our broader mission to fortify Bitcoin against centralizing forces.”

Global and Rural Expansion

Tether’s integration of OCEAN’s DATUM Gateway will begin with its mining operations in Africa, expanding to include other regions. The software enables local generation of block templates and aggregates thousands of mining rigs with low-latency connections, ensuring global competitiveness while enhancing geographic and operational diversity.

“Tether’s decision to mine on OCEAN follows months of deep technical evaluation by our team,” said Giv Zanganeh, VP of Mining & Energy at Tether. “We believe the DATUM protocol is the software stack most aligned with Bitcoin’s decentralization ethos. Its architecture allows us to achieve reliable connectivity even in low-bandwidth regions, expanding the reach and resilience of our infrastructure.”

Luke Dashjr, Chairman and CTO of OCEAN, added: “We warmly welcome Tether’s involvement, which is a strong signal that decentralization remains a core priority for Bitcoin’s future. Tether’s participation and the integration of DATUM Gateway in their operations are valuable contributions to the ecosystem.”

This development also complements Tether’s expanding footprint in Africa. The company is actively investing in both mining infrastructure and crypto education.

A recent partnership with Quidax has seen the rollout of a major digital asset literacy initiative across Nigeria and other African nations, aiming to provide financial inclusion and empowerment to millions by equipping them with the knowledge and tools to use cryptocurrencies.

Tether Considers U.S.-Only Stablecoin

In other news, Tether is considering launching a U.S.-only version of its token if the Trump administration introduces favorable regulations to support domestic stablecoin development.

According to three people familiar with the matter, discussions are ongoing between U.S. regulators and Tether officials regarding the framework for stablecoins, which are digital tokens typically pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar.

The Trump administration is keen on promoting stablecoins as a major financial instrument for the U.S. economy, an agenda that aligns with the administration’s broader focus on supporting domestic industries.

Stablecoins have gained popularity in recent years as a way to facilitate faster and cheaper cross-border payments. However, the lack of a clear regulatory framework in the U.S. has hampered their broader adoption.

According to the sources, the administration is expected to release an executive order soon outlining its vision for the future of digital currency in the U.S., encompassing both private and public cryptocurrencies.

The move comes in response to President Trump’s April 4 directive to government agencies to study the potential impact of blockchain technology on the U.S. economy and suggest ways to enhance the dollar’s role in the global financial system.

The administration is aiming to create a level playing field for U.S. companies developing stablecoins, countering the threat posed by China’s planned digital currency.

If the administration's proposals are included in the executive order, Tether is prepared to launch a U.S.-only version of its token, which is currently used by millions worldwide.

However, sources say that U.S. lawmakers are still divided on the matter, with some members of Congress expressing concerns over the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

According to a 2019 report by the Bank for International Settlements, stablecoins could pose risks to financial stability if they are widely adopted and used for purposes other than payments.

The report also noted that the legal and regulatory frameworks for stablecoins vary significantly across countries, which could create challenges for cross-border cooperation.