E143: USDT Founder: Bitcoin, Gold, Stablecoin, & Tether, the Most Profitable Company in the World

E143: USDT Founder: Bitcoin, Gold, Stablecoin, & Tether, the Most Profitable Company in the World

34:42 Oct 15, 2025
About this episode
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether and CTO of Bitfinex, reveals how he built one of the most profitable companies in history - generating approximately $100 million in profit per employee.Tether created USDT, the world's most-used stablecoin, providing financial access to 3 billion unbanked people in countries facing extreme inflation and financial instability. THE SHIFT NEWSLETTER?Go beyond the mic - subscribe to The Shift, my new weekly newsletter where I share the uncut stories, raw takes, and behind-the-scenes notes from When Shift Happens: https://www.kevinfollonier.com/crypto-web3-newsletter__________________________________PARTNERS? Jupiter is the most used Decentralized Exchange in Crypto and the largest DEX by volume on Solana: https://jup.ag/??  Paradex is building the future of open finance with an intuitive, permissionless trading platform that puts users in full control of their assets while delivering the lowest costs, fastest execution, and access to vast markets - all in one place.The Money Badgers Genesis NFT collection drops in Q4. Spots are limited - get yours now ? https://app.paradex.trade/wl/resilientrogueqv? KAST is a global financial platform that enables users to manage and spend stablecoins and cryptocurrencies using a Visa Card or Apple Pay. Available in over 100 countries: https://go.kast.xyz/VqVO/SHIFT? Trezor is the safest cold storage wallets for crypto security and financial independence.Buy your Trezor Wallet (use PROMO Code from the video for a 10% discount): https://trezor.io/?transaction_id=1026f18ed46409e495c6db4bff90ab&offer_id=133&affiliate_id=35356? Bitwise Asset Management is the crypto specialist asset manager with more than $15 billion client assets and more than 30 crypto solutions across ETFs, index funds, alpha strategies, staking, and more.https://bitwiseinvestments.com/?Sui is a first-of-its-kind Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform designed to make digital asset ownership fast, private, secure, and accessible.https://sui.io/? Forza! is Coinsilium's Gibraltar-based Bitcoin treasury company. Coinsilium’s shares are traded on the Aquis Stock Exchange (AQUIS:COIN) and on the OTCQB in the US (OTCQB:CINGF). Find out more at https://www.coinsilium.com/? Mantle Network enhances dApp development with Ethereum's security, low fees, and quick transactions through innovative layer-2 technology. Users can stake ETH for mETH, contributing to a transparent, community-driven ecosystem governed by $MNT token holders, fostering innovation and collaboration. https://www.mantle.xyzFollow Paolo Ardoino• Twitter: https://x.com/paoloardoino• Twitter: https://x.com/tether_to• Website: https://tether.to/FOLLOW KEVIN & WHEN SHIFT HAPPENS?Twitter (X): https://x.com/KevinWSHPod  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kevinfollonier_ 
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