How to Pay with (USDT) Tether in 2025

Cryptocurrency payments have come a long way; they're not just a concept of the future; they're happening right now, regularly. Tether (USDT) is a great case study of this. Tether is a stablecoin that is pegged to the dollar, so you don't have to worry about the price fluctuations as you would with Bitcoin.

A lot of people are asking: What is USDT payment really, and how can they utilise it to purchase goods and services? This payment is simply the act of transferring USDT from one party to another. What is most impressive is just how massive this has become. Its market cap has crossed $164 billion. This naturally makes it the largest stablecoin, but even more impressive right now is just how many people are actually using it across various blockchain networks.

In 2024, stablecoin transfers reached $27.6 trillion, exceeding the combined transaction volumes of Visa and Mastercard by 7.7%. This appears to signal massive mainstream adoption. However, research by Visa and Allium Labs, reported by Bloomberg, tells a different story: less than 10% of stablecoin volume represents genuine payments between users or businesses. In April 2024 alone, only $149 billion of the $2.2 trillion in monthly volume came from organic payment activity. The remainder consists largely of automated trading, bot transactions, and blockchain infrastructure operations rather than real-world commerce.

More businesses and platforms are integrating their transaction systems around stablecoins, and USDT is becoming the base layer that everything else is built upon. Whether it's sending money to family overseas or companies making large payments, this technology is rapidly becoming the new normal.

Setting up Your USDT Wallet

USDT has become the dominant stablecoin for business transactions, but most wallet solutions create unnecessary complexity for both merchants and customers. Due takes a different approach by connecting stablecoin benefits with the existing payment infrastructure that people already use.

Due's Payment Infrastructure

Due acts as a payment processor that settles in stablecoins, allowing customers to pay using bank transfers, mobile money, or digital wallets, all without the hassle of cryptocurrency knowledge. You simply receive USDT, USDC, or EURC in minutes. Due operates on all major networks, including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Tron, and more, with automatic optimisation for incoming transactions based on transaction size and speed requirements. If you are an existing merchant with cryptocurrency, Due is compatible with over 170 different wallet types, including MetaMask and Coinbase Wallet.

Payment Links and Checkout Options

Due's payment link system allows merchants to request payments without technical integration. Generate a secure link, share it with customers, and they can pay through their preferred method. The system handles transaction routing and stablecoin conversion automatically.

Setup and Integration Process

Account setup takes less than two minutes, involving both new and existing cryptocurrency users. Due offers API integrations for custom implementations, but also friendly user interfaces for operators with limited tech skills. Payment links and mobile apps require no coding knowledge while maintaining full functionality.

Implementation Challenges

Due confronts the natural tension between the advantages of cryptocurrency and customer friendliness, rather than requiring customers to learn blockchain technologies, the platform deals with the technical complexities while allowing customers to stay within their known payment experiences.

By doing this, the company has extended potential addressable markets beyond just users of cryptocurrency to also include users of traditional payment methods. If a business wants to use stablecoin, without relying on customer adoption, Due's offering is a feasible way to maintain common payment experiences with the benefits of cryptocurrency settlement.

Networks and Fees

USDT exists on several blockchain networks. Each network has its own address format and transaction fees, which are important to know before sending USDT. Here is a quick comparison of the most popular networks:

Buying Tether USDT

Once your wallet is ready, getting your hands on USDT is straightforward through several proven methods:

• Buy on Exchanges: The easiest way to obtain USDT is to create an account on trusted exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bitget. These exchanges allow you to deposit fiat money (bank transfer or credit card) and to exchange that money directly. Keep in mind that to deposit money and withdraw your funds, you will have to verify your identity with KYC, which is common practice for most centralized exchanges.
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P Trading): This gives you another good option for purchasing USDT, especially if you live in a region where you are limited in direct exchanges. For instance, Binance P2P connects buyers and sellers directly, so an Indian user could send (via bank transfer) money to a local seller who would send the USDT to them in return. The escrow service allows the P2P platform to hold the funds safely until both parties to the transaction agree to release the funds.
• Modern Transfer Services: Companies like Due are disrupting international transfers, as they now offer international transfers for about 5-10x less than your bank. U.S. banks generally charge around $35–$50 for international wire transfers, without the additional hidden currency markups and the intermediary bank fees. Due facilitates payments in USDT instantly or converts to your local currency in less than 24 hours at much cheaper rates.
• Crypto Swapping: If you already hold Ethereum or another cryptocurrency, you can readily convert it to USDT through exchange platforms or your designated wallet app. After you obtain it, you are now ready to pay. But how to pay with USDT? It will depend on who you are paying, and how they would like to receive the money.

Buying USDT with Due

Due provides a way to acquire USDT without using a traditional exchange. It allows users to initiate a bank transfer (ACH, SEPA, PIX, etc.), which is converted into stablecoins like USDT, USDC, or EURC. This process doesn’t require the user to interact directly with crypto exchanges or blockchain networks.

Key characteristics:

• The fiat-to-stablecoin conversion happens after funds are received into the Due account.
• Due supports 1:1 swaps between stablecoins (e.g., USDC ↔ USDT) without additional slippage or gas fees.
• Users don’t need to manually manage wallets during the payment process, though they can connect external wallets if desired.

In addition, stablecoin transactions are not reversible by design, which means the process is chargeback-resistant. For merchants who are making cross-border payroll, or repeat transferring payments, Due is a faster, cheaper, and safer way of moving money using USDT.

How USDT Moves Across Wallets, Exchanges, and Networks

USDT is a flexible, decentralized token, you’re not stuck in any one app or platform. As long as you're using the same blockchain (like TRON, Ethereum, or Solana), you can send USDT from an exchange, your mobile wallet, or a hardware device, without restriction.

1. From Fiat to USDT via an Exchange

Most people start here:

• Sign up on a centralized exchange (like Binance or Kraken).
• Complete KYC to verify your identity.
• Deposit fiat currency.
• Buy USDT and optionally withdraw it to your wallet.

At this point, you're in full control, you just need to ensure you pick the same network when sending USDT out.

2. Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Wallets: What’s the Difference?

• Custodial wallets (like on exchanges or apps) mean the provider controls your private keys, convenient, but comes with risk.
• Non-custodial wallets (like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Ledger) put you in full control, you hold your keys and your funds. Great for security, but you’re solely responsible for keeping them safe.

Choosing the Right Payment Method

When it's time to actually spend your USDT, you've got several solid routes depending on who you're paying:

• Direct Wallet Transfer: The easiest option - simply send USDT directly from your wallet to whoever is receiving it. Due makes it even better with their global checkout system, allowing payment from anyone, anywhere via bank transfers, mobile money, digital wallets, and more in 80+ markets. Receive stablecoins immediately or settle in your preferred local currency with low fees.
• Crypto Debit Cards: They allow you to spend USDT at any store that accepts Visa or Mastercard, as it converts your crypto into traditional money the second you swipe. The best crypto debit cards are: Crypto.com Card, Binance Card, and Coinbase Card. Other options to consider are the Bybit Card, a prepaid Mastercard that provides access to USDT and other cryptocurrencies, and the Nexo Card that supports a range of cryptocurrencies, including USD.

Choose what works for you. Crypto users are generally big fans of direct transfers for their simplicity. If you're shopping online or if you're dealing with international payments, global solutions mean you can deal with any border without depending on the local bankers.

How to Use USDT Online

Using USDT for payments is pretty easy on the majority of these websites that accept it. Here is the usual process:

• Select USDT at Checkout - When you are ready to pay, find the options for payment using crypto at checkout and select Tether (USDT) from the options.
• Confirm Your Payment Information - The website will create a wallet address (usually also there is a QR code as an option) and tell you the exact amount to send. Double-check the blockchain network being used for your transaction - this is important since it can be used on multiple networks like Ethereum, Tron, etc.
• Send Your USDT - Open your crypto wallet (or whichever exchange app you are using) and send the requested amount to the newly generated wallet address from the previous step. To avoid mistakes, copy and paste the wallet address instead of typing it. Be sure to double-check everything before clicking send.

Merchants That Accept USDT

Readers often ask which businesses accept Tether. According to recent guides, a number of well‑known merchants already support USDT as payment:

• SurfShark – a popular VPN service that lets you buy subscriptions with USDT.
• Shopify – the e‑commerce giant supports USDT as a payment method for its merchants, enabling seamless local and international transactions with lower fees.
• Travala – you can book over two million hotels in more than 230 countries using USDT.
• Alternative Airlines – this flight booking platform partners with over 600 carriers and accepts USDT.
• Snel.com – an independent Dutch server‑hosting provider where you can pay for web, VPS, or dedicated servers with USDT.
• Crypto Emporium – an online marketplace where you can buy electronics, motorcycles, artwork, and even a Rolex with cryptocurrencies, including USDT.

Using USDT to Pay in Store

Using USDT to pay for goods or services in brick-and-mortar stores is not very common, but it does happen in some cases:

• Paying Friends Back -This one is very practical. Let's say at a restaurant, splitting the dinner with friends, or having a friend who owes you money. You can send the person USDT as opposed to cash or a bank app payment. As long as you both have crypto wallets, it is an easy way to transact.
• The Easier Option -  Really, the easiest option for everyday shopping is to just get a crypto debit card. Cards like Nexo Card and Bybit Card let you spend your USDT wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, which is everywhere. The store doesn't need to know you are using crypto - it all just looks like a regular card payment.

Safe and Secure Transactions

USDT allows for rapid money transfers, and Due makes those transfers way more secure.  Here's what you're provided when using Due to transfer money:

• No More Worries About Fraud - Funds sent through Due cannot be reversed or forged like credit cards. You will not be hit with chargebacks or lose money to scammers.
• Works on Different Networks - Due accepts the entire blockchain headache (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon), so you do not have to deal with figuring out which network to use.
• Automatic Conversion - Your customers can pay with all different cryptos, and Due will convert it to USDC for you. You do not have to worry about the price changing while the payment is processing.
• Compliance - The platform also includes automated risk monitoring that will scan transactions and flag all potential fraud patterns, velocity limits, and identified risks associated with the blockchain. KYC and KYB occur at the same time and in real-time, so merchants won't have to delay transactions while ensuring they remain compliant.
• Easy Wallet Connections for Your Customers - Customers can pay using MetaMask, Coinbase, or any wallets they want. Due connects to all wallets securely.
• Get Paid Immediately - Your money arrives in your wallet instantly through USDC or same-day settlement into regular currency if you prefer.

If you adhere to the above warnings, you'll be able to use it safely and with confidence. Just make sure to handle your USDT just as you would traditional funds: send it only to the intended party, don't share your credentials with unauthorized parties, and conduct due diligence.

Paying with USDT in 2025 is not only possible but also simple. With the appropriate wallet in your possession, some Tether owned, and the directives above, you can use it to pay for purchases, send funds internationally, or ease business cashflows in a modern and efficient manner.