Crypto payments now move beyond speculation and trading hype. Real usage continues to rise across retail, creators, and online commerce. Tether has stepped forward to accelerate this transition through a targeted investment. The company led an $8 million funding round in Speed, a fast-growing payments platform.
Speed already processes over $1.5 billion in annual transaction volume. The platform blends Bitcoin’s Lightning Network with stablecoin infrastructure. This combination offers instant transfers and price stability for everyday spending. Tether’s backing confirms rising confidence in real-world blockchain utility.
Bitcoin Lightning payments now gain a stronger commercial foundation. Speed aims to remove friction that slows adoption across merchants and consumers. This funding round positions the company for aggressive expansion. The move highlights where crypto payments head next.
LATEST: Tether led an $8M funding round in Speed, a payment processor that handles over $1.5B in annual volume by combining Bitcoin's Lightning Network with USDT settlement for consumers, creators and merchants. pic.twitter.com/9HZC0SZM89
— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) December 17, 2025
Why Speed’s payment model stands out in a crowded market
Speed operates as a crypto payment processor focused on simplicity and speed. The platform allows users to pay instantly using Bitcoin Lightning payments. Merchants also receive USDT settlement to avoid volatility concerns. This hybrid model solves two persistent crypto problems.
Traditional blockchain payments often feel slow and costly. Speed leverages Lightning’s instant execution to eliminate delays. At the same time, USDT settlement ensures predictable merchant revenue. This balance encourages adoption among non-technical users.
How Tether’s involvement reshapes Speed’s growth roadmap
Tether rarely invests without strategic alignment. The company dominates stablecoin markets with USDT. Speed’s infrastructure naturally extends USDT settlement into daily commerce. This synergy explains Tether’s leadership role in the funding round.
The investment helps Speed expand merchant onboarding globally. It also strengthens technical development across Lightning integrations. Tether’s backing improves trust among enterprise partners. This trust matters in regulated and competitive markets.
Bitcoin Lightning payments gain credibility through institutional involvement. Tether’s participation sends a clear market signal. Crypto payments now evolve into dependable financial tools. Speed becomes a central player in that transformation.
Bitcoin Lightning payments drive faster and cheaper transactions
Bitcoin Lightning payments enable near-instant transfers with minimal fees. Speed builds directly on this infrastructure for scalability. The system processes high transaction volumes without congestion. This approach fits retail and micro-payment use cases.
Consumers enjoy seamless checkout experiences similar to traditional apps. Merchants receive confirmation in seconds, not minutes. These improvements remove long-standing crypto usability barriers. Speed focuses on familiarity and efficiency.
As adoption grows, Lightning becomes more commercially viable. Speed’s model proves that real-time crypto payments work at scale. The funding allows further optimization and global reach. This momentum supports broader Bitcoin payment adoption.
USDT settlement removes volatility for businesses and creators
Price volatility has always limited crypto spending. Speed solves this issue through automatic USDT settlement. Merchants receive stable value without exposure to price swings. This design encourages wider acceptance.
USDT settlement simplifies accounting and financial planning. Businesses can price products confidently in local currencies. Creators receive predictable income regardless of market movements. This stability unlocks new use cases.
Speed’s role in the future of crypto commerce
Speed positions itself as a next-generation crypto payment processor. The platform targets real usage rather than speculation. Its tools cater to consumers, creators, and merchants equally. This balanced focus drives sustainable growth.
The company plans to expand integrations with online platforms. It also aims to support more global markets. Bitcoin Lightning payments remain central to this expansion strategy. Speed wants crypto to feel invisible and intuitive.
With Tether’s backing, Speed gains financial strength and market credibility. The company now accelerates toward mainstream adoption. This funding round marks a turning point. Crypto payments continue their shift into daily commerce.
The post Tether strategic bet signals a shift in real-world crypto payments appeared first on Coinfomania.
