TLDR
- Tether will hire 150 more employees, growing its workforce from 300 over the next 18 months.
- Block plans to cut up to 10% of its staff, its third major layoff since 2024.
- Tether’s expansion is backed by USDT’s market cap rising to $185 billion.
- Tether is investing in sectors like AI, energy, and media, including a $775M stake in Rumble.
- Block continues to restructure, shifting focus to Bitcoin mining and AI productivity tools.
Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, is expanding its workforce by 50% over the next 18 months. Meanwhile, Block Inc., led by Jack Dorsey, is preparing to reduce its workforce by up to 10% during an ongoing restructuring process. These contrasting moves reflect two different directions within the digital asset sector as companies adapt to evolving market conditions.
Tether to Add 150 Staff as Global Strategy Scales
According to a report by the Financial Times, Tether has grown its team to around 300 employees and plans to hire 150 more over the next 18 months. The new roles will focus primarily on engineering, although hiring will also include regulatory and creative positions across multiple countries.
Job listings posted on LinkedIn show that Tether is hiring AI filmmakers in Italy, venture associates in the United Arab Emirates, and compliance specialists in Ghana and Brazil. This push for global talent supports Tether’s strategy to expand operations beyond its role as a stablecoin issuer.
Tether’s expansion is supported by strong growth in USDT adoption. The stablecoin’s market capitalization rose from $140 billion to $185 billion over the past year, giving the company more resources to invest in talent and infrastructure.
Strategic Investments Fuel Broader Business Model
Tether is using its rising profits to diversify into several sectors, including technology, energy, and media. CEO Paolo Ardoino recently presented a “freedom tech stack” at a conference in San Salvador, which outlines the company’s plans to integrate finance, communications, and artificial intelligence.
The company has invested in South American agriculture, European football, and satellite infrastructure. Notable investments include a $775 million stake in video platform Rumble, which recently added a non-custodial crypto wallet to its service.
Tether also made a $150 million investment in Gold.com to back digital assets with physical gold and placed $100 million in Anchorage Digital to strengthen ties with U.S.-regulated crypto platforms.
Block to Cut Staff Amid Third Wave of Layoffs
In contrast to Tether’s hiring plans, Block Inc. is preparing to cut up to 10% of its workforce, as reported by Bloomberg.
The layoffs are being carried out during annual performance reviews, which will run through the end of February. The move would mark Block’s third major round of cuts since 2024.
The fintech company previously reduced its headcount by 931 roles in March 2025 and about 1,000 in January 2024. The latest cuts affect various teams across the organization and are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and adjust resource allocation.
Restructuring and Profit Targets Shape Block’s Outlook
Block has been undergoing strategic changes since 2024. It has focused on merging services like Cash App and Square, while prioritizing areas such as Bitcoin mining and AI development. The company has scaled back its investment in music streaming platform Tidal and closed its decentralized unit, TBD.
During its investor day in November 2025, Block projected $11.98 billion in gross profit for 2026 and shared a goal of mid-teens gross profit growth through 2028. It also expanded its stock buyback program by $5 billion, briefly boosting its share price.
Block’s fourth-quarter earnings report, scheduled for February 26, will offer insight into whether the cost-cutting measures have improved financial performance.
