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Tether, the issuer of the world’s most widely used stablecoin USDT, is intensifying its focus on emerging markets across Asia and Latin America, as U.S. lawmakers advance stringent legislation that could reshape the digital asset landscape.

From January 2024 to February 2025, USDT accounted for between 62% and 91% of global stablecoin payment volumes, with Asia and Latin America leading adoption. Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan collectively represented 36.3% of global stablecoin traffic, while the United States trailed at 18.7%.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino reaffirmed the company’s commitment to these regions, stating that the firm will continue prioritizing emerging markets outside the U.S., despite regulatory progress and a pro-crypto administration. Ardoino emphasized that the company sees more opportunity abroad than under strict upcoming U.S. laws.

In a strategic move to deepen its presence in Latin America, Tether announced a significant investment in Orionx, a Chile-based cryptocurrency exchange and financial infrastructure firm. Orionx operates across Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico, offering services such as cross-border payments, remittances, and treasury solutions. The investment aims to enhance Orionx’s technological capabilities and scale stablecoin-powered infrastructure throughout the region.

Ardoino highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting that the investment supports a high-impact company and advances Tether’s broader vision of making stablecoin-powered financial tools accessible to underserved communities across Latin America.

The surge in stablecoin adoption in Latin America is attributed to economic instability and high inflation rates in countries like Argentina and Brazil. Stablecoins offer a more stable store of value and a means to conduct transactions without relying on volatile local currencies. Tether’s USDT has become a preferred option for everyday needs such as saving, sending money to family, and conducting business transactions.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the regulatory landscape for stablecoins is undergoing significant changes. The Senate is advancing the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, which introduces stricter regulations on stablecoin issuers, focusing on consumer protection, national security, and financial system integrity. Key provisions include prohibiting yield offerings by stablecoins, mandating audits, and enhancing anti-money laundering protocols.

Despite the U.S. administration’s pro-crypto stance, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance advocating for the industry, the GENIUS Act reflects a bipartisan effort to establish a robust regulatory framework. The act has garnered support in the Senate, passing a motion to proceed with a 69-31 vote.

However, the legislation has sparked debate among lawmakers. Some Democrats express concerns over potential conflicts of interest due to the Trump family’s direct involvement in crypto ventures. Senators Chris Murphy and Elizabeth Warren have opposed the bill on ethical grounds, while others like Senators Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand support it, emphasizing the need for consumer protection and clearer crypto regulations.

Lee Jae-myung assumed the presidency of South Korea on June 4, pledging to revitalise the nation’s economy and pursue dialogue with North Korea to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. His inauguration follows a period of political upheaval marked by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who attempted to impose martial law.

In his inaugural address, Lee emphasised the need to restore democratic institutions and address economic challenges exacerbated by global protectionism and domestic instability. He committed to a pragmatic, pro-market approach, aiming to deregulate industries to foster innovation and business growth. Lee also highlighted plans to implement a greener energy policy and strengthen ties with North Korea through peaceful diplomacy, while maintaining a solid alliance with the United States.

Lee’s administration faces immediate pressure to resolve trade disputes with the United States, particularly over tariffs impacting key industries. The Bank of Korea has projected a 0.8% growth rate for 2025, influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and domestic political instability. Lee’s presidency marks a crucial shift in South Korean politics and diplomacy, balancing international relations with China, North Korea, Japan, and the U.S.

The newly elected president also outlined his vision for social reforms, including increased welfare spending, corporate taxes, and regulatory oversight of conglomerates. Despite past skepticism of big business, he has signaled pro-market intentions to renew economic confidence following a crisis under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Challenges await, including economic instability, rising U.S. tariffs, and strained foreign relations. Lee aims to renegotiate trade terms with the U.S. and recalibrate relations with China, Japan, and North Korea, favouring diplomacy and South Korea’s autonomy in international affairs.

Lee’s ascent to the presidency is notable for his background as a factory worker and human rights lawyer, symbolising resilience through adversity. His victory is largely attributed to public discontent with Yoon’s administration. However, Lee’s presidency begins under the shadow of legal challenges, including accusations of making false statements during a past campaign. While courts have postponed further hearings, any conviction could test constitutional protections that shield sitting presidents from prosecution.

The financial markets reacted positively to Lee’s inauguration, with the Kospi index rising over 2.4%. Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea downgraded the nation’s growth forecast significantly due to a slowing economy and declining exports.

Lee’s administration follows a political crisis sparked by former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law. With control of both the presidency and national assembly, Lee’s left-wing bloc is poised to enact reforms, including corporate governance changes aimed at empowering minority shareholders.

Japan has elevated its foreign direct investment target to ¥120 trillion by 2030, a 20% increase from its previous goal, as part of a broader strategy to invigorate its economy and attract overseas capital. The government also aims to further boost this figure to ¥150 trillion by the mid-2030s, nearly tripling the current FDI level of approximately ¥50 trillion.

This strategic shift underscores Japan’s commitment to revitalising its economy by drawing foreign firms into key growth sectors such as decarbonisation. The revised targets are expected to be formally included in the government’s upcoming fiscal and economic policy guidelines set for release in June.

The initiative is not solely focused on national economic growth but also aims to stimulate regional economies and create employment opportunities beyond major urban centres. To support this, the government is considering new grants and enhanced public-private collaboration frameworks to facilitate the establishment of foreign facilities in local areas.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been actively promoting FDI by establishing contact points in major embassies and consulates-general worldwide. These efforts are aimed at attracting people, goods, capital, and ideas from overseas to strengthen the growth potential of the Japanese economy and foster innovation.

The government’s strategy includes identifying challenges for foreign companies in making follow-up investments in Japan and promoting activities abroad to attract FDIs through the FDI Task Forces established in various diplomatic missions. Additionally, investment seminars are being held to disseminate information about Japan’s business environment and its attractiveness as an investment destination.

OpenAI has announced the establishment of a legal entity in South Korea and plans to inaugurate an office in Seoul, marking its third operational base in Asia following Tokyo and Singapore. This strategic move underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in regions exhibiting significant growth in artificial intelligence adoption.

South Korea ranks second globally, after the United States, in the number of paying subscribers to ChatGPT. The nation’s robust technological infrastructure and a populace highly receptive to AI innovations have positioned it as a pivotal market for OpenAI’s expansion efforts.

Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, emphasised South Korea’s comprehensive AI ecosystem, highlighting its strengths in hardware, software, and a diverse user demographic spanning various age groups. He noted that the country’s integrated approach to AI development makes it an ideal environment for meaningful AI impact.

In alignment with its expansion strategy, OpenAI has initiated recruitment processes to build a local team in Seoul. The company aims to foster collaborations with South Korean enterprises and governmental bodies to tailor AI solutions that resonate with local needs and regulatory frameworks.

Earlier this year, OpenAI entered into a partnership with Kakao, a leading South Korean internet company, to develop AI products customised for the Korean market. This collaboration is indicative of OpenAI’s approach to localising its offerings and integrating them seamlessly into existing digital ecosystems.

The establishment of a Seoul office also aligns with OpenAI’s broader initiative to implement data residency solutions across key Asian markets, including South Korea. By enabling local data storage, OpenAI addresses regional data sovereignty concerns and ensures compliance with local data protection regulations, thereby enhancing trust among enterprise clients and users.

OpenAI’s expansion into South Korea is part of a concerted effort to strengthen its presence in Asia. The company’s Tokyo office, opened in April 2024, serves as a hub for developing Japanese-language AI models and collaborating with local businesses and government entities. Similarly, the Singapore office, announced in October 2024, functions as the Asia-Pacific headquarters, focusing on regional partnerships and AI research initiatives.

Tokyo-based Metaplanet Inc. has overtaken El Salvador in Bitcoin reserves, now holding 6,796 BTC compared to the Central American nation’s 6,170 BTC. This milestone positions Metaplanet as Asia’s leading corporate Bitcoin holder and the first publicly listed Japanese firm to adopt Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset.

The company’s aggressive accumulation strategy, initiated in April 2024, has led to a staggering 5,250% surge in its stock price over the past year. This growth trajectory has been further bolstered by its inclusion in the MSCI Japan Index, effective February 28, 2025, enhancing its visibility among institutional investors.

Central to Metaplanet’s strategy is its ambitious “21 Million Plan,” aiming to acquire 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025 and 21,000 BTC by 2026. To finance this, the company has raised approximately ¥116 billion through the issuance of 21 million shares via moving strike warrants, marking the largest Bitcoin-focused capital raise in Asian equity market history.

CEO Simon Gerovich has emphasized Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against Japan’s economic challenges, including high debt levels and currency depreciation. He stated that the company’s pivot to a Bitcoin-centric strategy has transformed it from a “zombie” company into a market leader.

Metaplanet’s financial performance reflects this transformation, with a reported 309.82% Bitcoin yield in Q4 2024 and a market capitalization increase of 11,800% over the past year. The company’s shareholder base has expanded significantly, now exceeding 50,000 investors.

In addition to its financial endeavors, Metaplanet is promoting Bitcoin adoption through initiatives like the upcoming launch of “The Bitcoin Hotel” in Tokyo, set to open in Q3 2025. This establishment aims to serve as a hub for Bitcoin education and community engagement.

Metaplanet’s approach mirrors that of U.S.-based Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, which holds over 553,000 BTC. Both companies exemplify a growing trend of corporations integrating Bitcoin into their treasury strategies as a means of preserving value and driving growth.