For years, Tether and Circle have frozen millions at the request of authorities — no trial, no charges, no due process. The latest seizure is just the latest reminder that government-compliant stablecoins are still programmable money designed for control.

Last month, Tether — the issuer of the world's largest stablecoin — froze $24 million in USDT at the request of authorities, citing compliance with anti–money laundering regulations.

The move was immediately celebrated by the pro-centralization, pro-government crowd as a win for "financial safety." But in reality, it's another warning sign that centralized stablecoins are little more than programmable money subject to instant, unilateral seizure — no court order, no due process, no presumption of innocence. Just allegations and a compliance request.

And this isn't some rare, extraordinary measure. It happens all the time.

A Pattern of Instant Seizure Without Due Process

Tether has repeatedly frozen and seized funds whenever authorities come knocking — often based solely on allegations:

November 2023: $225 million in USDT frozen linked to alleged human traffickers at the request of the U.S. DOJ.

November 2022: $46 million in USDT frozen following a law enforcement request.

January 2022: $160 million in USDT frozen on the Ethereum blockchain.

Ongoing ability to freeze or destroy USDT baked directly into Tether's smart contract functionality.

And it's not just Tether. USDC, issued by Circle, has done the same:

July 2020: $100,000 in USDC frozen after a law enforcement request.

August 2022: Tornado Cash smart contract addresses frozen following OFAC's sanctioning of the privacy protocol.

If you hold these coins, you're holding assets that can be erased from your control at the click of a button — no matter where you live, what you've done, or whether you've ever been charged with a crime.