Tether launches grants for local-first AI and payments

Tether launches a grants program for open-source tools, wallets, and local-first AI, offering $1,500–$4,000 per deliverable in USDT or BTC, with no total cap and a focus on on-device AI and decentralized payments.

Tether has introduced a developer grants program to support the creation of open-source tools, wallets, and decentralized infrastructure. The initiative places a strong emphasis on local-first artificial intelligence (AI) and payment systems, aiming to reduce reliance on cloud-based solutions and external APIs. Developers can apply for grants paid in USDT or Bitcoin, with individual payouts ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 per completed task. There is no fixed cap on total funding, as grants are awarded based on specific technical deliverables. The program encourages the development of on-device AI through platforms like QVAC, promoting privacy and autonomy by enabling tools to run directly on users’ devices. Target areas include wallet infrastructure, browser extensions, e-commerce integrations, core library development, documentation, new applications, and research into decentralization and edge AI. Tether’s initiative aims to foster a more secure, efficient, and decentralized technology ecosystem.