A screenshot has been circulating online showing that OKX plans to delist the popular stablecoin USDT for European users as of March 31, 2025. The move appears to be in response to new MiCA regulations coming into effect across the European Economic Area.
Warning From OKX
According to the screenshot, OKX Europe users will no longer be able to deposit USDT into their accounts starting January 31, 2025. However, until March 31, 2025, customers can still use USDT for trading other assets or for withdrawals. After that date, the stablecoin will be fully removed from the platform.
OKX explains that its decision aligns with the need to comply with the new MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) framework governing digital assets in Europe.
The exchange previously became the first crypto platform to receive preliminary MiCA licensing, paving the way for expansion in Europe through its Malta hub. A full license under MiCA would enable OKX to offer users over 240 cryptocurrency tokens and 60 trading pairs involving the euro.
OKX states that having a MiCA license will let it offer regulated products such as OTC trading, spot trading, and trading bots. Additionally, the company plans to localize its services, offering local-language support and enhanced functionalities for European customers.
Regulatory Problems for USDT
OKX is not the only exchange reexamining its approach to stablecoins. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently announced that the platform would be ready to delist USDT should authorities require it or if Tether fails to meet new U.S. laws.
Armstrong also emphasized that while USDT remains popular among users, the company may have to adapt in order to follow evolving regulations.
Tether Under Pressure
New EU regulations mandate stablecoin issuers like Tether to secure proper licenses for operating digital assets and to hold a portion of their reserves in banks. In the U.S., proposed legislation would require stablecoin issuers to maintain reserves primarily in Treasury bonds, which could force Tether to liquidate certain assets such as gold and secured loans — together valued at $20 billion.
Meanwhile, Tether reported a record $2.5 billion profit for Q3 2024, with $105 billion in reserves, including a substantial portion in U.S. Treasury bonds. However, uncertainty persists due to a lack of progress on new laws, casting doubt over the future of this stablecoin.
Community Reaction
A USDT delisting on European platforms like OKX could signal broader moves to reassess the status of this popular stablecoin worldwide. Under mounting regulatory pressure, USDT’s future hinges on Tether’s ability to meet new requirements.
Analysts note that exchanges and crypto firms now must balance user convenience with strict legal compliance.
Previously: Binance Delists WazirX, Bluzelle, and Akropolis: Token Prices Plunge by 60%
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