In an interview with Breitbart News on April 5, 2025, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated he is 'sympathetic' to the Trump administration’s approach to tariffs, advocating for either zero tariffs or equal tariffs for all. He linked this policy to strengthening the US dollar globally and aiding stability in developing countries, while also noting potential shifts in geopolitical alliances.

Tether has entered discussions with U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Bryan Steil and French Hill, regarding the proposed STABLE Act, aiming to shape stablecoin regulations. CEO Paolo Ardoino stressed the firm's commitment to adapt to new regulatory frameworks, even as questions about transparency persist.

Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, confirmed that the company is actively engaging with US lawmakers to influence the upcoming STABLE Act, a legislation aimed at tightening stablecoin regulations. The company's involvement, which includes advising on proposals, intends to secure its operational model despite the anticipated regulatory overhaul.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed active discussions with US legislators to influence upcoming stablecoin regulations, aiming to ensure compliance while steering policy in a manner that benefits the company.

In 2024, Tether expanded its political influence even as its lobbying expenditure fell, leveraging deep ties with influential political figures and firms such as Cantor Fitzgerald. Notably, Howard Lutnick of Cantor Fitzgerald, a strong supporter involved in high-level political activities including the Trump transition committee, has bolstered Tether’s political clout. Additionally, Tether's engagements in regions such as El Salvador and Europe illustrate its multifaceted approach to political influence.

Tether launched a $5 billion minting spree over a 72‑hour period beginning on November 6, 2024, rapidly injecting liquidity into the market. The operation has raised concerns about Tether’s opaque reserve practices, its recent legal penalties including a $41 million CFTC fine, and its deepening political ties through figures like Howard Lutnick, a known ally of former President Donald Trump.

U.S. federal investigators are probing Tether for potential sanctions violations, money laundering, and illicit support to criminal activities. The investigation, which includes scrutiny of suspected links to terrorism financing and illegal financial flows, has raised significant concerns about national security and ethical business practices. In response, Tether has emphasized its compliance efforts, including freezing suspicious wallets and enhancing monitoring capabilities.

A report by Consumer’s Research on September 12, 2024, criticized Tether for its ongoing failure to provide a complete independent audit of its USD reserves. The report highlights a history of incomplete financial disclosures, previous legal settlements, and allegations of doing business with bad actors, raising concerns over Tether’s ethical business practices and regulatory compliance.

Following a UN report alleging that USDT facilitates illicit activities in Southeast Asia, Tether's CEO issued a statement expressing disappointment with the report’s narrow focus while emphasizing the stablecoin’s role in supporting emerging markets. The company highlighted its proactive cooperation with global law enforcement—including freezing over $300 million in assets and blocking crypto addresses linked to terrorism—to counter the allegations.

In response to a UN report alleging that USDT was used for money laundering and other illicit activities, Tether refuted the claims by emphasizing the traceability of its blockchain, highlighting its history of cooperation with law enforcement, and noting that it had frozen over $300 million in USDT linked to illegal operations.

Data from OpenSecrets indicates that Tether's parent company, iFinex, increased its US lobbying spending by over 150% in 2023—spending $1.2 million and doubling its number of lobbyists, including hiring a former Republican legislator with ties to Trump-era policies. This move comes as the stablecoin issuer seeks to influence pending stablecoin legislation in a politically charged environment.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced in a public letter to U.S. legislative committees that the company is partnering with the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service. The letter detailed efforts including disabling tokens in sanctioned wallets and freezing illicit accounts, underlining Tether’s commitment to regulatory compliance and public transparency.

A TRM Labs report indicates that 1.6% of Tether's USDT volume—amounting to $19.3 billion—was used in illicit transactions in 2023, including a noted surge in terrorism financing via Tron-based addresses. Tether has rejected these claims, but the report raises serious questions about the ethical implications of its stablecoin infrastructure.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal cited by Business Insider, in 2018 Tether faked key documents and set up shell companies to open bank accounts, including one that was later used by a terrorist group to launder money. The incident raises serious concerns about the company's ethical business practices and its indirect role in facilitating extremist financial activities.