सीनेटर ने ईरान प्रतिबंध के दावों पर Cantor Fitzgerald की $10B Tether हिस्सेदारी की जांच की
Senator Richard Blumenthal has requested documentation from Cantor Fitzgerald regarding its $10 billion Tether stake, probing business relationships, compliance protocols, and potential connections to Iran sanctions.
Senator Richard Blumenthal has asked Cantor Fitzgerald for documentation regarding its business relationships with Tether, seeking details on reported holdings of $10 billion in Tether alongside questions concerning connections to Iran.
In an October 8 letter addressed to Brandon Lutnick, who leads the Lutnick family, the senior Senate Democrat on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations sought further details regarding the family’s financial assets and additional payments related to company sanctions. Cantor is expected to reply by October 23. The correspondence does not accuse the firms of any wrongdoing.
Cantor Fitzgerald’s Tether Stake Draws Senate Scrutiny
Back in 2021, Cantor Holdings acquired a stake in U.S. government securities that support the USDT stablecoin issued by Tether. By 2024, the firm held a 5% stake in Tether. Howard Lutnick served as Cantor’s CEO both prior to and throughout the investment period.
According to Blumenthal, the investment was valued at $600 million prior to Donald Trump’s reelection and reached $10 billion afterward. These figures match reports from other outlets, though they remain unverified independently. Furthermore, Blumenthal asserted that Cantor generates tens of millions of dollars each year by offering security services to Tether.
The lawmaker inquired about custody arrangements, trading operations, as well as revenue and audit data tied to the partnership. Additional points of interest include financial advantages received by the Lutnick family and Tether’s role in funding Howard Lutnick’s purchases of business interests for his children.
और पढ़ें: ईरान से जुड़े वॉलेट्स द्वारा यूएसडीटी की जांच के दायरे में आने पर टीथर को सीनेट की जांच का सामना करना पड़ रहा है
Following his nomination as Secretary of Commerce, Lutnick stepped down as chairman of Cantor in February 2025. Brandon Lutnick subsequently assumed the role of chairman, while Kyle Lutnick became vice chairman. Blumenthal referenced payments made to Howard Lutnick totaling more than $250 million—which included $192 million originating from Cantor—though he did not clarify whether every payment stemmed directly from Tether.
Iran-Linked USDT Allegations Prompt Compliance Questions
Democratic committee investigators released a report on September 28 analyzing 846 wallets linked to the United States and Iran. The findings revealed that 84%—or virtually all—of those wallets utilized USDT. The September 28 document criticized Tether for failing to stop these wallets from participating in money laundering operations.
Tether disputes assertions that it fails to cooperate with law enforcement. In official statements, the stablecoin issuer pointed out that it blocked roughly $550 million in Iranian USDT transfers during 2026 and aided authorities in more than 2,900 global investigations.
Blumenthal requested records and details concerning Cantor’s anti-money-laundering protocols, alongside any correspondence with government officials regarding sanctions against Iran and Russia. He also asked for communications between Cantor, government-designated official Howard Lutnick, and other parties concerning fundraising and regulatory matters.
और पढ़ें: सीनेट की रिपोर्ट में नए सवाल उठने के बाद टेदर ने ईरान से जुड़े $550 मिलियन के USDT किए फ्रीज
The formal inquiry covers events dating back to January 2023 alongside past collaborative activities. As of October 9, Cantor had not released a public response to the letter.
The senator also posed questions regarding whether Tether is required to verify its reserves, and under what conditions the bank might sever ties with the digital currency firm.
The senator requested internal files and other documentation. Congressional probes do not imply that either organization has breached banking regulations, laws, or sanctions.
