Tether cryptocurrency price today. (GlobeLiveMedia/Jovani Perez)

Tether is a cryptocurrency issued by Tether Limited. Born as a stablecoin, it was initially stated that each token was backed by a US dollar, however, several controversies have brought this point to the table.

Attached it was the first stablecoin to exist. It was launched in 2014 by businessman Reeve Collins; bitcoin investor Brock Pierce; and developer, Craig Stellers. Since then, it has become the largest by market capitalization.

Tether was originally available through Omni Layer, but now it can be accessed in various block chains. With the approval of Limited tetheryou can switch between USD and Tether, a mechanism that helps keep the stablecoin pegged.

The Tether Limited network is in turn controlled by the owners of the Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange, which has been accused by the New York Attorney’s Office to use Tether funds to cover 850 million missing funds since mid-2018.

Cryptocurrency investors and regulators also joined the debate pointing out that the stablecoin is not fully guaranteed, a situation that has brought it to court because its users have no guarantee that their tokens can be exchanged for dollars. On April 30, 2019, the company’s lawyer confirmed that the token was linked to a change of $0.74.

In 2018, news outlet Bloomberg revealed that the tether company was being investigated by the United States Federal Attorney for alleged bitcoin manipulation; the following year, this crypto surpassed most popular by trading volume per day and monthly.

Physical representations of various cryptocurrencies on a computer motherboard (EFE/Sedat Suna)
Physical representations of various cryptocurrencies on a computer motherboard (EFE/Sedat Suna)

Tether cryptocurrency price for today is $1.0023934. This means that the digital asset has suffered a change of -0.15% over the past day, as well as a -0.0% move over the past hour.

Due to its level of capitalization, this digital currency occupies the position number #3 among the most popular.

Digital currencies are digital currencies that do not physically exist and, unlike currencies such as the dollar, euro or peso, they are not regulated by any institution and do not require intermediaries in transactions.

Physical representations of various cryptocurrencies.  (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic)
Physical representations of various cryptocurrencies. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic)

For this reason, they are regularly not viewed favorably by the formal market and are accused of being unreliable, volatile, promoting fraud, not having a legal framework that supports their users, allowing the exploitation of illegal activities, among others.

However, little by little, they paved the way to such an extent that companies, millionaires and even governments encouraged or authorized their use.

These cryptocurrencies work through cryptographic encryption that guarantees the security of transactions, as well as controlling the creation of their units. To make transactions, cryptocurrencies use a decentralized database, blockchain or shared ledger.

Currently, there are several cryptocurrencies in this unregulated market, however, the pioneer was Bitcoin, created in 2008, along with it others such as litecoin, ethereum, bitcoin cash, ripple, dogecoinsome of the most popular.

One of the richest men in the world, Elon Muskhas made comments in favor of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and dogecoin, even temporarily accepting digital currencies from his electric car company Tesla, which has increased their cost.

In The Savior, President Nayib Bukele legalized bitcoin, being the first country to do so. In the case of Mexico, one of the richest businessmen in the country, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, has made public his intention to accept cryptocurrencies in his companies, one of his main ones – the Elektra store – already does so. For his part, the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, suggested using its use to fight inflation. Even in Peruthe Central Reserve Bank has warned that it is working on its own digital currency project.

To buy any of the cryptocurrencies that exist in this unregulated market, you need to go to specialized websites.

Juan Mayén, CEO of Honduran company TGU Consulting Group, demonstrates how to use a cryptocurrency ATM in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  (REUTERS/Freddy Rodriguez)
Juan Mayén, CEO of Honduran company TGU Consulting Group, demonstrates how to use a cryptocurrency ATM in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (REUTERS/Freddy Rodriguez)

It should be mentioned that the cost of each of these digital currencies depends on supply and demand, as well as the commitment of the users themselves, which can cause abrupt changes.

This means that the more people are interested and want to get a cryptocurrency, the higher its value and vice versa.

However, anyone investing in this type of digital asset should be very clear that this form brings with it a high risk to capitaljust as there can be an increase, it can also have an unexpected crash and wipe out the savings of its users.

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