The Hidden Hands of Tether
In a world where cryptocurrencies reign supreme, Tether Holdings Limited emerged as a titan, controlling a staggering 86% of the stablecoin market. But beneath its formidable facade lies a tightly-knit group of four individuals, all of whom possess secrets that could rival a plot twist in a movie.
Meet the Founders
The shrewd architects behind Tether’s massive influence are not your everyday tech moguls. They include:
- Giancarlo Devasini: Once a plastic surgeon, now the chief financial officer of Bitfinex and holder of 43% of Tether.
- Brock Pierce: A former child actor turned crypto visionary involved in Tether’s inception in 2014 before parting ways.
- Jean-Louis van Der Velde and Stuart Hoegner: Both played substantial roles at Bitfinex while controlling about 15% each of Tether.
- Christopher Harborne/Chakrit Sakunkrit: The mysterious individual who floated between the UK and Thailand, adding yet another layer to this puzzle at 13% ownership.
The Ripple Effects of Investigations
The cloud of suspicion around Tether began to thicken when investigations by the New York Attorney General’s office and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission surfaced. As it turns out, the ownership structure of Tether was more intricate than a Game of Thrones family tree.
Tether’s Dramatic Responses
With investigations looming, Tether’s chief technology officer, Paolo Ardoino, took to Twitter, labeling a Wall Street Journal article as a “clown article.” Rather than cower under scrutiny, Ardoino proclaimed, “The more clown articles, the more Tether grows.” Talk about turning a frown upside down!
The Cost of Misrepresentation
In a not-so-funny twist, Tether reached a settlement with the New York Attorney General’s office in 2021 for allegedly misrepresenting its fiat collateral backing—yes, it pleads guilty. The price? A cool $18.5 million and the need for regular reserve disclosures. At least they learned their lesson, right?
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