Anchorage Digital Bank to Bolster Stablecoin Team in Strategic Push for USAT and Digital Dollar Innovation
Anchorage Digital Bank NA, the only cryptocurrency-native firm holding a U.S. federal banking charter, is set to significantly expand its stablecoin operations, planning to more than double its dedicated team within the next year. Currently comprising approximately 20 members, the team is poised to scale rapidly to support the bank’s ambitious partnership with Tether for the issuance of USAT, a new U.S.-regulated digital dollar compliant with the recently enacted Genius Act. Announced on September 25, 2025, this move underscores Anchorage’s pivotal role in advancing stablecoin adoption and bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional financial systems.
Strategic Expansion to Meet Growing Demand
Anchorage’s decision to expand its stablecoin team, as revealed by CEO Nathan McCauley, reflects the surging demand for digital dollars in the wake of new regulatory clarity provided by the Genius Act, signed into law in July 2025. The legislation establishes a federal framework for stablecoins, requiring issuers of tokens with over $10 billion in circulation to register with federal regulators. With its unique federal banking charter, Anchorage is ideally positioned to capitalize on this framework, enabling it to issue large-scale stablecoins like USAT while ensuring compliance with stringent U.S. standards.
The expansion will bolster Anchorage’s capacity in compliance, legal operations, and business development, key areas critical to the success of its partnership with Tether. The stablecoin team, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is expected to grow to over 40 members within the next year, reflecting the bank’s commitment to scaling its infrastructure to meet the needs of both retail and institutional users. This strategic move aligns with the broader cryptocurrency market’s growth, with over $6 trillion in on-chain real-world assets and billions in daily transactions driving demand for regulated digital currencies.
Partnership with Tether to Launch USAT
Anchorage’s collaboration with Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT with a $169 billion circulation, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of digital dollars. Under the partnership, Anchorage will serve as the legal issuer of USAT, a stablecoin designed to meet all U.S. regulatory requirements under the Genius Act. Cantor Fitzgerald LP, a leading financial services firm, will manage the reserve assets backing USAT, ensuring transparency and stability. The token is slated to launch before the end of 2025, with initial distribution through platforms like Rumble Inc., a video-sharing site backed by Tether.
McCauley emphasized that Anchorage’s stablecoin team will play a central role in exploring enterprise use cases for USAT, targeting large institutions to adopt the token for applications such as cross-border payments, remittances, and tokenized asset settlements. “The Genius Act has created a clear path for stablecoin innovation in the U.S.,” McCauley noted, highlighting Anchorage’s unique position as the only federally chartered crypto bank to issue such tokens at scale. This partnership positions USAT as a direct competitor to established stablecoins like USDC, aiming to capture significant market share in the regulated digital dollar space.
Leveraging the Genius Act for Market Leadership
The Genius Act, a landmark piece of legislation, splits stablecoin oversight between federal and state regulators based on circulation size, with tokens exceeding $10 billion falling under federal supervision. USAT’s design to surpass this threshold positions Anchorage at the forefront of federal-level stablecoin issuance, offering a rare opportunity to shape the future of digital finance. The Act’s requirements for liquid U.S.-denominated reserves and monthly audits align with Anchorage’s commitment to transparency, further enhanced by Cantor Fitzgerald’s role as reserve custodian.
This regulatory clarity has spurred institutional interest, with Anchorage aiming to attract major financial players to integrate USAT into their operations. The stablecoin’s initial distribution through platforms like Rumble Inc. reflects a strategic focus on innovative use cases, while plans to engage larger institutions signal Anchorage’s ambition to drive mainstream adoption. The bank’s federal charter, granted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), provides a competitive edge, enabling it to operate with federal preemption and multi-jurisdictional coverage, including a New York BitLicense and a Singapore MAS license.
Implications for the Digital Asset Ecosystem
Anchorage’s expansion and partnership with Tether come at a time of heightened activity in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin holding steady at $111,700 and Ethereum navigating volatility below $4,100. The stablecoin sector, valued at over $250 billion globally, is a critical component of this ecosystem, facilitating fast, transparent, and borderless payments. Anchorage’s role as USAT’s issuer positions it to capitalize on this growth, leveraging its regulatory compliance and technological expertise to drive adoption.
The planned doubling of its stablecoin team reflects Anchorage’s proactive approach to meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving market. By focusing on compliance, legal operations, and business development, the bank is building a robust infrastructure to support USAT’s rollout and future stablecoin initiatives. This aligns with broader industry trends, as evidenced by the Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, which highlights how regulatory clarity drives grassroots and institutional engagement in jurisdictions like the U.S.
A Vision for the Future of Digital Dollars
Anchorage Digital Bank’s strategic expansion and partnership with Tether mark a transformative moment for the stablecoin industry. By leveraging its federal banking charter and the Genius Act’s regulatory framework, Anchorage is poised to lead the charge in digital dollar innovation. The planned growth of its stablecoin team and the launch of USAT underscore its commitment to bridging decentralized and traditional finance, offering scalable solutions for enterprises and retail users alike.
As the cryptocurrency market continues to mature, with over $6 trillion in on-chain assets and growing institutional adoption, Anchorage’s bold moves position it as a trailblazer in the digital asset space. The successful rollout of USAT and the expansion of its team could redefine the role of stablecoins in global finance, fostering a more inclusive, efficient, and regulated ecosystem for the future.
