Tether has entered into a new partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to address rising risks in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital asset market. The collaboration focuses on improving safeguards against crypto-related fraud, scams, and cybercrime as adoption accelerates across the continent. African crypto usage has grown sharply in recent years, driven by demand for dollar-linked stablecoins, cross-border payments, and alternatives to volatile local currencies. At the same time, authorities have flagged an increase in illicit activity tied to digital assets, prompting calls for stronger oversight and education. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that stablecoin adoption must be accompanied by practical security frameworks to ensure trust and long-term sustainability in emerging markets.
Under the partnership, Tether will contribute technical expertise and industry knowledge, while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will leverage its global enforcement and training networks. The program is expected to support capacity building efforts for law enforcement agencies, regulators, and financial investigators, helping them better understand blockchain transactions and identify misuse. Recent investigations have highlighted the scale of the challenge, with international policing efforts uncovering hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit crypto and fiat flows linked to fraud and organized crime. By focusing on education and collaboration rather than restrictions alone, the initiative aims to reduce criminal exploitation of digital assets while preserving access to legitimate financial tools for users and businesses.
The collaboration also signals a broader shift in how stablecoin issuers engage with public sector institutions as crypto markets mature. Rather than operating solely within private ecosystems, major stablecoin providers are increasingly working alongside international bodies to shape responsible adoption standards. In Africa, where stablecoins play a growing role in remittances, payments, and savings, improved security and awareness could have a meaningful impact on consumer confidence. The partnership aligns with efforts to position stablecoins as reliable financial infrastructure rather than high-risk instruments, especially in regions where traditional banking access remains limited. As digital asset usage expands globally, cooperative frameworks like this may become central to balancing innovation with effective risk mitigation.
