Tether Deploys Bitcoin Hashrate on the OCEAN Mining Protocol
Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has announced a strategic deployment of its existing and future Bitcoin hashrate to OCEAN, a decentralized mining protocol created by veteran Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr.
In a post on April 14, Tether said it is deepening its commitment to supporting decentralization, transparency, and censorship resistance. OCEAN will give users a different approach to mining by 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. Tether’s hashrate deployment will use OCEAN’s DATUM Gateway software, which is engineered for mining operations. “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 plans to integrate OCEAN’s DATUM Gateway across its mining operations worldwide, particularly in rural and underserved regions such as parts of Africa. 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 reflects months of deep technical evaluation,” 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.” The move has been warmly welcomed by the OCEAN team. “Tether’s involvement is a strong signal that decentralization remains a core priority for Bitcoin’s future,” said Luke Dashjr, Chairman and CTO of OCEAN. “Their participation underscores the value of open, censorship-resistant mining protocols.” 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, helping millions gain access to financial tools powered by blockchain.
Tether Considers U.S.-Only Stablecoin
Tether is considering launching a U.S.-only version of its token if the Trump administration introduces favorable regulations to support domestic stablecoin development. Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, revealed in an interview with the Financial Times that discussions are underway with U.S. regulators regarding the framework for stablecoins, which are digital tokens typically pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. According to Ardoino, the administration views stablecoins as a major financial instrument for the U.S. economy.