Tether announced it will discontinue support for its USDT stablecoin on five “legacy” blockchains, including Omni Layer, Bitcoin Cash SLP, Kusama, EOS, and Algorand.

According to the July 11 announcement, the move will become effective Sept. 1, ending redemptions and freezing remaining tokens on those networks.

The decision comes as part of what the company called an “infrastructure optimization” strategy, aiming to align with shifting community usage trends and refocus resources toward more active and scalable blockchains.

The move finalizes a phased withdrawal that began over the past two years. In 2023, Tether halted minting on Bitcoin Cash, Kusama, and Omni Layer and ended minting on Algorand and EOS (recently rebranded as Vaulta) last June.

Until now, however, it had continued to redeem tokens on these networks.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said:

“As the digital asset ecosystem evolves, Tether remains committed to adapting alongside it. Sunsetting support for these legacy chains allows us to focus on platforms that offer greater scalability, developer activity, and community engagement, all key components for driving the next wave of stablecoin adoption.”

Tether emphasized that the five blockchains were instrumental in its early expansion but have seen a steep decline in USDT usage and trading volume in recent years. USDT remains the largest stablecoin in crypto with a market capitalization nearing $160 billion.

The company said it will prioritize emerging Layer 2 networks, such as the Lightning Network, and other high-utility chains to enhance interoperability, transaction speed, and ecosystem growth.

Tether advised customers to redeem their USDT holdings on the affected blockchains or request issuance on supported networks before the September cutoff. Holders not directly served by Tether can migrate through third-party service providers.

The stablecoin issuer added that it will continue exploring new integrations to broaden USDT accessibility globally and strengthen its infrastructure to meet evolving market demands.

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Popular web3 digital horse racing platform ZED RUN will officially close on February 28.

After several years of offering players the opportunity to race, breed, and trade digital horses using NFTs, the platform will hold its final event, the Sunset Stakes, to mark the end of its operations.

This event, taking place from February 24 to February 26, 2025, will offer a $100,000 ZED token prize pool in an Open Class 1 tournament, giving players one last chance to compete before the platform transitions to its successor, ZED Champions.

What is Sunset Stakes?

The Sunset Stakes will be the last major event hosted by ZED RUN, taking place over three days from February 24 to February 26.

This tournament will feature an Open Class 1 format, with a $100,000 ZED token prize pool up for grabs. Players will have the opportunity to compete against the top horses in the game, with the event serving as the final showcase of ZED RUN’s capabilities. Leading up to the Sunset Stakes, players can participate in weekly seasons of tournaments, with XP multipliers designed to help horses level up for the event.

In the weeks preceding the Sunset Stakes, ZED RUN will host a series of weekly Maidens and Sit & Go races, designed to increase player engagement and help horses rise through the ranks. These events will offer both paid and free options, and participants will be able to accumulate valuable engagement points and experience boosts, giving them an edge in the final tournament.

What’s next to ZED RUN?

Following ZED RUN’s closure on February 28, the platform will transition to ZED Champions, promising a new digital horse racing experience.

Players will have the opportunity to claim rewards and trade assets through a dedicated claims site, which will remain open for about one month after ZED RUN’s shutdown. During this time, players can also access the open beta of ZED Champions, where they can race with a test stable and participate in early testing of the new game.

Once the claim site closes, ZED Champions will officially launch, and the horses and assets held by players in ZED RUN will be transferred to the new platform allowing players to continue participating in the digital racing ecosystem under the new ZED Champions brand. As the transition happens, players will be able to engage with new features and improvements, with the promise of continued development in 2025.