Bitfinex users now have the ability to directly trade Tether for fiat thanks to the addition of USDT/USD and EURT/EUR trading pairs, according to a November 27th Medium post from Bitfinex.
From today onwards, Bitfinex customers will be able to trade Tether-fiat directly on our platform through the addition of USDT/USD and EURT/EUR Tether trading pairs.
To find out more, see https://t.co/KAzPciUwqJ. pic.twitter.com/efvJBVzlgJ
— Bitfinex (@bitfinex) November 27, 2018
The exchange said the new Tether trading pairs will replace “the previous 1:1 conversion on deposits and withdrawals provided by Bitfinex.” It characterized the announcement as “continuing our heritage of providing a neutral, coin-agnostic platform.”
Exchanges Should Serve As A Neutral Actor
In the post, Bitfinex noted how it protected customers through a guarantee of the Tether/USD 1:1 peg.
It said the ability for users to take advantage of the new trading pairs is a “reflection of the evolved stablecoin market” and maintained a company ethos that “an exchange should be a neutral actor.”
The Bifinex team wrote how the change comes in tandem with a big update to the Tether.io platform which allows customers to directly redeem their USDT for USD.
CryptoGlobe reported today on Tether’s redesigned platform, which also features the ability to verify new customers.
However, only people with at least 100,000 USDT are able to redeem USDT for USD on Tether’s website. Tether said these stipulations are targeted towards its “professional investor audience.”
Coming Investigations Into Tether And Bitfinex?
About a week ago, CryptoGlobe covered allegations that the U.S. Department of Justice and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) were working on crypto-related investigations.
According to speculation, more scrutiny was being directed towards purported market manipulation involving Tether and Bifinex.
The two entities were at the receiving end of a subpoena by the CTFC in December 2017. Allegedly, the CTFC and the Department of Justice are coordinating investigations of the duo’s activities.
Tether’s reputation has been under fire of late due to issues with redemption at Bitfinex and a continued lack of attestation by an independent accounting firm.
However, Tether has affirmed a strong relationship with Deltec Bank & Trust Limited and claims it will be able to “return to its original vision” as a result.
