Tether has strategically invested in Bitcoin-backed lending platform Ledn to enhance access to credit without selling digital assets. Ledn, which has issued over $1 billion in Bitcoin-secured loans in 2025, operates a secure custodial and risk management system. In Q3 alone, it issued $392 million in loans, nearly matching its 2024 total. The partnership aims to promote wealth preservation and financial resilience by allowing Bitcoin to be used as collateral. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted the benefits of self-custody and real-world applications, though the investment size remains undisclosed. The crypto-backed lending market is projected to grow from $7.8 billion in 2024 to over $60 billion by 2033.