Drift Taps Tether For $150M Reboot, Signaling A Stablecoin Power Shift

Markets 2026-04-17 14:18

Drift Taps Tether For 0M Reboot, Signaling A Stablecoin Power Shift

Tether (USDT) has gained ground on Solana (SOL) after bankrolling a $150 million relaunch of Drift Protocol, a move analysts say reshuffles the stablecoin pecking order following April's $285 million exploit.

Drift Rescue Package

Drift said Thursday it secured nearly $150 million from Tether and other partners to reopen trading and repay users. The package includes a $100 million revenue-linked credit facility, an ecosystem grant, and loans to market makers.

Proceeds will seed a dedicated user recovery pool covering losses from the April 1 breach.

Attackers drained roughly $285 million from Drift vaults in about 12 minutes, an incident security firms TRM Labs and Elliptic attributed to North Korean threat actors.

The DRIFT token fell more than 40% during the attack, and total value locked slid from $550 million to under $250 million.

Also Read: Bitcoin Inflows To Binance Hit 2020 Lows, Signaling Tighter Supply Ahead

Stablecoin Shift On Solana

Analyst Seggzy wrote that Drift's move reflects where traders already sit, noting USDT offers deeper books and tighter spreads on Solana.

Commentator CryptoScoping framed the switch as a contest between two models, arguing that Circle moved slowly while Tether intervened quickly during the crisis.

TRM Labs flagged timelocks and oracle defense as the central lessons from the breach, analysts said.

Drift's pivot extends a rough stretch for Solana DeFi. The network has absorbed several high-profile exploits over the past year, and USDC (USDC) had long been the preferred stablecoin there before Tether's rescue package reshuffled the pecking order.

Read Next: Why Is America's Next Fed Chair Being Forced To Sell All His Crypto Before Tuesday

Share to:

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

Curated Series

SuperEx Popular Science Articles Column

SuperEx Popular Science Articles Column

This collection features informative articles about SuperEx, aiming to simplify complex cryptocurrency concepts for a wider audience. It covers the basics of trading, blockchain technology, and the features of the SuperEx platform. Through easy-to-understand content, it helps users navigate the world of digital assets with confidence and clarity.

Unstaked related news and market dynamics research

Unstaked related news and market dynamics research

Unstaked (UNSD) is a blockchain platform integrating AI agents for automated community engagement and social media interactions. Its native token supports governance, staking, and ecosystem features. This special feature explores Unstaked’s market updates, token dynamics, and platform development.

XRP News and Research

XRP News and Research

This series focuses on XRP, covering the latest news, market dynamics, and in-depth research. Featured analysis includes price trends, regulatory developments, and ecosystem growth, providing a clear overview of XRP's position and potential in the cryptocurrency market.

How do beginners trade options?How does option trading work?

How do beginners trade options?How does option trading work?

This special feature introduces the fundamentals of options trading for beginners, explaining how options work, their main types, and the mechanics behind trading them. It also explores key strategies, potential risks, and practical tips, helping readers build a clear foundation to approach the options market with confidence.

What are the risks of investing in cryptocurrency?

What are the risks of investing in cryptocurrency?

This special feature covers the risks of investing in cryptocurrency, explaining common challenges such as market volatility, security vulnerabilities, regulatory uncertainties, and potential scams. It also provides analysis of risk management strategies and mitigation techniques, helping readers gain a clear understanding of how to navigate the crypto market safely.