# Tether USD (USDT) — machine-readable summary

> FORTUNA SIGNAL · FORA-01 evidence dossier · Researched 2026-09-15 · https://ron-delhaye-studios.github.io/fortuna-signal-live/tokens/usdt.html

## Definition
Tether USD (USDT) is a fiat-backed stablecoin issued by Tether, designed to track the value of one US dollar. Per Tether's own terms, each token in circulation is one hundred percent backed by Tether's reserves and redeemable at face value less fees by verified customers.

## What the holder owns (FORA-01 Q1)
Each USDT represents a personal contractual right to redeem one token for one unit of the pegged fiat currency from Tether, less fees, with tokens stated as one hundred percent backed by Tether's reserves; the tokens are not legal tender, carry no deposit insurance or government backing, and holders have no claim on reserve appreciation above face value.

## Verification verdict
Class B (Class B) — FORA-01 scale: verification, not a quality ranking.
q1 VERIFIED · q2 PARTIALLY VERIFIED · q3 PARTIALLY VERIFIED · q4 VERIFIED · q5 VERIFIED

## Plain-language utility
Dollar-pegged stablecoin for payments, trading, and settlement.

## Key risks & notes
Reserve transparency rests on quarterly attestations rather than a full audit, and Tether states reserve composition is at its sole discretion; holders bear counterparty risk to Tether with no insured-deposit protections. Tether's own site now presents the original whitepaper as historical interest only, stating it creates no legal obligations.

## Primary source
- https://assets.ctfassets.net/vyse88cgwfbl/5UWgHMvz071t2Cq5yTw5vi/c9798ea8db99311bf90ebe0810938b01/TetherWhitePaper.pdf

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Machine summary generated at build time from the same fields as the human page. Free educational content — not investment advice.