Log in

News

Bitfinex, Tether reach an $18.5 million settlement with New York’s Attorney General

Updated: Jul 25, 2024
Published: Feb 23, 2021
0
Share:

After more than 2 years and over 2 million information pages, sister companies Bitfinex and Tether have finally settled with New York Attorney General’s Office.

Post Feature Image

Tether, which has denied any wrongdoing, said that an $18.5 million settlement fee will be paid to resolve the matter.

$18.5 million settlement with no admission of wrongdoing

Tether’s agreement to pay the $18.5 million settlement fee is “a measure of our desire to put this matter behind us and focus on our business,” the stablecoin issuer said.

The settlement resolves allegations that iFinex - the parent company of crypto exchange Bitfinex and Tether - lied about the Tether (USDT) stablecoin and the hundreds of millions of dollars that exchanged hands to cover up Bitfinex’s massive losses.

The New York Attorney General’s Office alleges that Bitfinex and Tether failed to disclose losses amounting to $850 million and deceived clients and markets by overstating reserves.

The matter unfolded when Tether made a loan to Bitfinex after the latter failed to access approximately $850 million in funds held by a payment processor in 2018.

Tether claims to have opened a $900 million line of credit to Bitfinex in 2018. The exchange announced early this month that it repaid an outstanding $550 million loan balance it owed Tether.

However, New York Attorney General Letitia James sees the matter in a different light.

“Bitfinex and Tether recklessly and unlawfully covered-up massive financial losses to keep their scheme going and protect their bottom lines,” said the Attorney General.

New York out of bounds

Apart from the $18.5 million settlement, the two companies have been barred from operating in New York.

“Today’s agreement requires Bitfinex and Tether to discontinue any trading activity with New Yorkers. In addition, these companies must submit regular reports to the OAG to ensure compliance with this prohibition,” said the Attorney General’s Office.

A backed stablecoin

The New York Attorney General’s Office maintains that Tether stablecoin was not always fully backed by cash reserves on a 1:1 pegging against the US dollar.

In its post, Tether pointed out that there was no finding after 2.5 years that the company “issued tethers without backing” or manipulated crypto prices.

Tether is the market leader in the stablecoin market segment and has a market capitalization of $34.7 billion. 

100% Success Money Back Guarantee

If our approach doesn’t outperform the overall crypto market during your subscription, we’ll give you a full refund of your membership. No questions asked. For quarterly and monthly subscribers this is applicable once your subscription runs for 6 consecutive months.

Terms & Conditions apply

Star

Trusted by 300,000+ traders

Take your next step towards crypto success

Save 50%

$799/year

Get everything you need to actively manage your portfolio and stay ahead. Ideal for investors seeking regular guidance and access to tools that help make informed decisions.

VisaCardImageMsCardImageCoinbaseCardImageSolanaCardImage

For your security, all orders are processed on a secured server.

What’s included in Pro:

  • Success Guarantee, if we don’t outperform the market, you get 100% back, no questions asked

  • 24/7 access to experts with 50+ years’ experience

  • All of our top token picks for 2025

  • Our latest memecoins pick with 50X potential

  • On hand technical analysis on any token of your choice

  • Weekly livestreams & ask us anything with the team

  • Daily insights on Macro, Mechanics, and On-chain

  • Curated list of top upcoming airdrops (free money)

Our track record speaks for itself

With over 2.4M tokens and widespread misinformation in crypto, we cut
through the noise and consistently find winning assets.

/images/advertorial/corpcomm3.webp
/images/advertorial/corpcomm4.webp
/images/advertorial/corpcomm5.webp

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We've consistently identified winners across multiple cycles. Bitcoin under $1,000, Ethereum under $70, Solana under $10, WIF from $0.003 to $5, PopCat from $0.004 to $2, SPX blasting past $1.70, and our latest pick has already 200X'd since June 2025. Everything is timestamped and public record.

No. When we founded Cryptonary in 2017 the market was new to everyone. We intentionally created content that was easy to understand and actionable. That foundational principle is the crux of Cryptonary. Taking complex ideas and opportunities and presenting them in a way a 10 year old could understand.

Signal vs noise. We filter out 99.9% of garbage projects, provide data backed analysis, and have a proven track record of finding winners. Not to mention since Cryptonary's inception in 2017 we have never taken investment, sponsorship or partnership. Compare this to pretty much everyone else, no track record, and a long list of partnerships that cloud judgements.

We share highly sensitive, time-critical research. Once it's out, it can't be "returned." That's why membership is annual only. Crypto success takes time and commitment. If someone is not willing to invest 12 months into their future, there is no place for them at Cryptonary.

Yes. You will have 24/7 to the team that bought you BTC at $1,000, ETH at $70, and SOL at $10. Through our community chats, live Q&As, and member only channels, you can ask questions and interact directly with the team. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience which you can tap into every single day.

Daily. We provide real-time updates, weekly reports, emergency alerts, and live Q&As when the markets move fast. In crypto, the market moves fast, in Cryptonary, we move faster.

If our approach to the market doesn’t beat the overall crypto market during your subscription, we’ll give you a full refund of your membership fee. No questions asked. For quarterly and monthly subscribers this is applicable once your subscription runs for 6 consecutive months.

Recommended from Cryptonary
Time Sensitive: The 4x Market-Neutral Trade Everyone’s Missing
PRO
Research Report
Time Sensitive: The 4x Market-Neutr...Opportunities like this are rare in crypto. Most launches are driven by hype or speculation with no ...
11 min read
Oct 27, 2025
BTC, ETH and More: Breakouts Loom on Pennants, Key Levels Ahead
PRO
Market Direction
BTC, ETH and More: Breakouts Loom o...The market is coiling in pennants after the inflation beat. All eyes on major resistance and breakdo...
6 min read
Oct 24, 2025
Update: The Latest on Our Top Meme Pick
PRO
Research Report
Update: The Latest on Our Top Meme ...This coin started as a meme but now it’s a movement. The diamond-hand community continues to grow, c...
12 min read
Oct 24, 2025