What Is USDT0? Tether's Omnichain USDT Explained

By Step Exchange Research · October 22, 2026 · 2 min read

What Is USDT0? Tether's Omnichain USDT Explained

USDT0 is an omnichain version of Tether’s USDT launched in January 2025 by the USDT0 consortium. It is built on LayerZero’s OFT (Omnichain Fungible Token) standard: USDT is locked on Ethereum, and USDT0 is minted on other chains. Moving USDT0 between supported chains burns it on the source chain and mints it on the destination, so there is no wrapped copy and no liquidity pool in between.

Key Takeaways

  • Backing: USDT locked on Ethereum, 1:1.
  • Mechanism: burn and mint through LayerZero messages.
  • Chains: Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Ink, Berachain, Plasma, HyperEVM and more.
  • Watch out: exchanges may treat USDT0 as a separate token; check network and contract.

USDT vs USDT0

USDTUSDT0
IssuerTether, natively on each chainUSDT0 consortium, backed by USDT on Ethereum
Cross-chain transferbridges or exchangesburn and mint (LayerZero OFT)
Slippage when bridgingdepends on poolnone from pools
WhereEthereum, Tron, Solana, TON and moreArbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Ink and more

Why USDT0 Exists

Before USDT0, USDT on a new chain usually arrived through a third-party bridge, which created several versions of “USDT” on the same chain and split liquidity. USDT0 gives these chains one USDT contract that can move between them directly. Arbitrum acts as a hub that connects USDT0 chains with USDT deployments on Ethereum, Tron and TON.

How to Move USDT0

  1. Check the network of the receiving wallet or exchange and whether it accepts USDT0 there.
  2. Pick a route: the official USDT0 app, or an aggregator that supports it. On USDT0 to USDT0 routes you receive the same amount minus gas and messaging fees.
  3. Keep gas on the source chain: ETH on Arbitrum or Optimism, POL on Polygon.

To move USDT from a non-USDT0 chain such as Tron or BNB Chain, a cross-chain swap converts and bridges in one flow: see how to bridge USDT.

Is USDT0 Safe?

USDT0 depends on Tether’s USDT reserves and on the LayerZero messaging and the contracts that lock USDT on Ethereum. That is a different risk profile from native USDT on a single chain; see crypto bridge safety for how bridge risk works.

Related: USDT networks, bridged vs native USDC, cheapest way to move USDT.

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FAQ

What is USDT0?

USDT0 is an omnichain version of Tether's USDT, managed by the USDT0 consortium and built on LayerZero's OFT standard. It moves between supported chains by burning on one chain and minting on another.

Is USDT0 the same as USDT?

It is backed 1:1 by USDT locked on Ethereum and is meant to be worth one dollar, but it is a separate token contract on each chain. Exchanges may list it separately, so check the network and contract before depositing.

Which chains use USDT0?

Among others, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Ink, Berachain, Plasma, HyperEVM, Sei, Flare and Rootstock; the list keeps growing. Check usdt0.to for the current list.

How do I bridge USDT0?

Use the USDT0 app or a bridge aggregator that supports it, such as LI.FI-based routes. Transfers between USDT0 chains burn and mint, so there is no liquidity pool slippage.

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