Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a thorough, six-page decision on August 4, dismissing the class action lawsuit filed against Tether and Bitfinex by plaintiffs Matthew Anderson and Shawn Dolifka. The lawsuit revolved around allegations that the defendants’ claims concerning the one-to-one backing of Tether’s USDT stablecoin by the U.S. dollar were unfounded.
The crux of the court’s dismissal lies in the finding that the plaintiffs failed to provide “plausible allegations of injury.” This translates into the lack of factual evidence showing that the value of USDT had depreciated. However, the comprehensive dismissal of the entire lawsuit at this initial stage of the proceedings underscores the lack of legal merit in the plaintiffs’ claims.
Tether and Bitfinex, following this legal victory, reiterated their dedication to preserving the interests of their customers and community. Also, the companies expressed their commitment to delivering on their promises and ensuring customer protection.
The path leading to the dismissal
The legal proceedings began in December 2021, when Anderson and Dolifka brought forth allegations based on findings from the New York Attorney General (NYAG), the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and Tether’s statements about its reserve makeup. The case rested on the question of the USDT’s backing and whether it was as robust as Tether had claimed.
Tether defended its position by asserting that for the plaintiffs to establish an injury, they needed to demonstrate a decrease in the value of USDT. Considering USDT is a stablecoin and has consistently maintained its price peg close to $1.00, this formed a substantial part of Tether’s defense. In response, the plaintiffs argued that their decision to purchase USDT would have been different had they been aware of the true nature of Tether’s reserves.
The plaintiffs had sought financial compensation and injunctions compelling Tether to issue a disclosure stating that USDT reserves are not fully backed by the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio, and cease misrepresenting its reserve makeup. These demands were not met, as the court found the lawsuit devoid of substantial legal claims.
Tether’s triumph, in this case, arrives on the heels of the firm reporting a net profit of $850 million in the second quarter, reinforcing its position in the crypto industry. The company’s Chief Technical Officer, Paolo Ardoino, shared the news, highlighting the significance of this development as a “good Friday” for Tether and Bitfinex.
