KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange
- Buy USDT and over 350+ cryptocurrencies
- Deposit USD using credit/debit card
- Earn interest on your crypto with staking
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser Disclosure
How to buy Tether
A beginner's guide to buying and selling USDT in the United States.
Tether, otherwise known as USDT, is a cryptocurrency built on the Bitcoin blockchain (via Omni Layer) and founded by a Hong Kong-based company, Tether Limited. Tether is anchored to the US dollar, where every tethered cryptocurrency issued in circulation is backed by a 1:1 ratio by US dollars. Buying USDT is easy through a variety of exchanges, so we’ve compared 20+ to help you find the right fit.
What is Tether and how does it work?
Tether is one of the most popular and widely traded cryptocurrencies on the market. Known as a “stablecoin”, the token pegs its value 1:1 to the value of the fiat currency being traded. The most common Tether currently traded is USDT, the asset pegged to the US dollar. The idea behind Tether is to provide a stable digital asset for users to overcome the volatility usually experienced by cryptocurrency users. Tether is issued by a company called Tether Limited, which is in turn controlled by the owners of Bitfinex, one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges on the market. Tether currently issues tokens onto a series of different blockchains, such as Bitcoin (using the Omni Layer and Liquid protocol), Ethereum, EOS, Tron and a series of other networks. USDT, Tether´s native token, supposedly represents an equal number of US dollars held in the Tether treasury, although recent news has surfaced that it is only partially backed by physical dollars and a large amount of it is held in convertible notes or other financial products. Tether has come under fire in recent years for unclear financial audits and declarations, and there is some concern around the reserves of Tether Limited. However, it provides a large amount of the liquidity on exchanges and in DeFi, offering an easy way to hold fiat in a digital asset without concerns over the volatility.
Step 1. Create an account on a cryptocurrency exchange
USDT, Tether’s native token, sits #6 when measured by total market capitalization according to cryptocurrency information website CoinGecko. However, it quickly rises to first place when measured in 24-hour volume, with a current volume more than double Bitcoin’s at the time of writing. USDT is the most widely used cryptocurrency on a daily basis, providing easy and seamless trading and liquidity for a variety of cryptocurrency pairs. It is listed on a majority of popular exchanges, although it’s not available on Coinbase. You can find it on Binance, Crypto.com and Kraken, along with a variety of smaller exchanges. These exchanges vary in terms of fees, security, currencies supported and payment methods. Depending on your country of origin, certain exchanges might not be available to you, so it’s important to do your own research and remember that there will be an option for everyone, regardless of their location. Below, you will find a list of platforms that we have vetted for Tether.
Once you have chosen a cryptocurrency exchange, go to the platform and create an account. Look at our list of exchanges below to pick the best one for you. Remember that to buy USDT with your national currency, you will be required to present some form of government issued ID, so keep that document close by for when you need to present it.
Sign up for an account on the exchange of your choice by clicking on the Go to site button. This will take you to the exchange’s landing page, which will prompt you for your name and email address. Once these have been registered, you will need to perform a KYC (Know Your Customer) process. This is a legal requirement for the majority of exchanges and is when you present your government issued ID.
Usually, KYC is quite a fast process, although it may take up to a few days. Once you are registered and verified, you can deposit funds into your account.
Step 2. Deposit funds
Depending on the cryptocurrency exchange you choose, you will need to deposit funds into your account, register a debit or credit card or transfer cryptocurrency into the platform.
Depositing funds. The cheapest way to buy Tether is to deposit your national currency directly from your bank account into the exchange. There are usually no fees for this type of deposit and the same process can be done if you decide to sell your cryptocurrency.
Although this is the cheapest method, the trade-off is availability of funds. It usually takes a few days to clear, depending on your bank. However, once this process is finished, you can buy USDT or any other cryptocurrency available on the platform.
Using a debit or credit card: This is the fastest method of deposit, but it also comes with a number of trade-offs. It is usually the most expensive option, with some platforms charging up to 5% in deposit fees. Although its ease of use and instant purchase method are attractive, these costs can add up over time and some providers might not allow this option, as we have seen recently with some UK banks.
Using cryptocurrency.Every exchange will allow you to buy, sell or trade cryptocurrencies using crypto as a funding option. Fees and availability of funds will depend on the network you are using (exchanges usually won’t charge a fee for depositing with crypto). As such, a popular method for traders is to deposit a digital asset and use this to trade in and out of their token of choice. Some exchanges do not require KYC for those using only crypto, but that is up to the user to research.
It’s always a good idea to think about the various cryptocurrency platforms and weigh up which option will be the best for you. Each comes with its set of upsides and downsides, and it’s a good idea to have a strategy beforehand. Remember that you can always change your deposit method later on if you decide to do so.
Step 3. Buy Tether
As stated above, USDT is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. More than a speculative asset, the token is used as protection against the volatility usually seen among cryptocurrency assets. It’s also a seamless trading pair for many other digital assets. If you wish to buy USDT, think of it as buying the value of the US dollar against your native currency.
Although there are several ways to purchase cryptocurrencies, given the fact that USDT is a stablecoin, there is no need for an order book. Usually, users are using the token to trade out of other cryptocurrencies. This is important to keep in mind, as USDT is commonly used when finalizing a trade or taking profits.
Step 4. Withdraw to a wallet
It’s important to remember that USDT is commonly used on cryptocurrency platforms. Although there are a large number of users that use it as an easy-to-trade asset in combination with other cryptocurrencies, there is still a substantial number of users that decide to hodl USDT. Once you have purchased your USDT, it is good security practice to withdraw it off the exchange and into your personal wallet. Use this in-depth guide to understand what cryptocurrency wallets are and how to use them. Remember to make sure that your wallet of choice supports USDT when downloading it.
What to consider when buying USDT
Although Tether provides a volatility-proof digital asset that is seamless and easy to use, it comes with an important set of concerns, especially with regard to its reserves. It currently provides the largest liquidity option for cryptocurrency traders and DeFi users, but its recent financial reports are very worrying. Its claim of a 100% reserve is simply untrue and is instead backed by a confusing set of financial products, convertible notes and fiat currencies. There are claims that Tether Limited has been known to “mint” USDT, which is the process of creating stablecoins to artificially inflate the price of Bitcoin and other assets. The stablecoin has a wide reach within the cryptocurrency industry and especially among traders. However, for longer term hodlers, it’s important to keep in mind that the company behind these digital assets might not be as financially solvent as one hopes. Despite these red flags, it is still one of the widest used digital assets among users and although other stablecoins are offering some competition, Tether shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.
Where to buy USDT
Tether is widely accepted throughout the cryptocurrency world. You can find it on almost every exchange and buy it with almost every other cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Compare exchanges by deposit method and cryptocurrency support to find the right fit:
More guides on Finder
-
Melania Trump has an NFT — what to know before you buy
Melania Trump launched an NFT platform — you can buy an image of her eyes.
-
How to save for retirement
Strategies to help you make the most of your retirement savings.
-
Bitstamp vs Coinbase
We compare two of the largest crypto exchanges in the world to see how they stack up.
-
NFT art: What it is and how it works
NFTs take many forms, and NFT art makes up a large portion of the market.
-
Star Atlas review
Conquer the Star Atlas metaverse and earn value in this blockchain-based play-to-earn game based in the year 2620.
-
UFC NFT collectibles review
Crypto.com has taken the sports world by storm, landing major deals like becoming a brand partner of the UFC. Learn how to buy and sell unique UFC NFTs on the Crypto.com NFT marketplace.
-
How to play to earn with Sipher
Get started playing Sipher, a new crypto video game. Sipher is a social cyberpunk multiverse where you battle your “Sipher” avatar against other players.
-
How to understand and buy CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks is a pioneering collection of 10,000 pixelated NFT artworks that have sold for millions of dollars at auction over the last year. Learn what makes them unique and valuable and how to buy them.
-
MakersPlace review
This step-by-step guide to using MakersPlace will help you curate a vibrant and unique NFT collection.
-
Monsta Infinite Review: How to play and earn
Learn how you can earn real money by pitting your Monstas against enemies and other players in this in-depth Monsta Infinite guide and review.
Ask an Expert
