USDT to Return to Bitcoin via Utexo’s Private RGB Protocol

USDT on Bitcoin — Utexo, a Dubai-based blockchain startup, is preparing to launch Tether’s USDT stablecoin on the Bitcoin network in late November, aiming to offer private and fast transactions through the RGB protocol and Lightning Network.

The public launch is scheduled for November 28, with Lightning Network support planned for the first quarter of 2027. The integration uses the RGB protocol, which keeps asset transaction data off-chain while using Bitcoin as a settlement layer. Utexo CEO Viktor Ihnatiuk argues this combination enables private transfers and payment speeds that can rival other blockchains.

This marks a return for USDT to its original home, as the stablecoin first launched on Bitcoin via the Omni protocol in 2014 before Tether halted issuance in 2023 due to declining usage. The new effort is backed by a $7.5 million seed round led by Tether in March 2026 and utilizes Tether’s USDT0 protocol.

Utexo opened early access for professional operators to test the system on a Bitcoin test network on October 22. The company positions the offering not as a direct competitor to Ethereum or Tron for retail volume or DeFi, but as a solution for businesses seeking confidential, Bitcoin-secured transactions.