Earlier in the session, crypto prices had been on the rise, with bitcoin (BTC) nearing the $69,000 level and perhaps readying for a late-day or weekend challenge of topping $70,000 for the first time in three months. In the minutes following the news on Tether, bitcoin had tumbled to as low $66,500, down nearly 2% over the past 24 hours, before modestly bouncing back to $66,800. The broader market gauge CoinDesk 20 Index was lower by 2.3% over the same time frame.

Taking to X shortly following the story, Tether Chief Technology Office Paolo Ardoino said the WSJ is "regurgitating old noise." There is no indication, said Ardoino, that Tether is under investigation.

Earlier in the session, crypto prices had been on the rise, with bitcoin (BTC) nearing the $69,000 level and perhaps readying for a late-day or weekend challenge of topping $70,000 for the first time in three months. In the minutes following the news on Tether, bitcoin had tumbled to as low $66,500, down nearly 2% over the past 24 hours, before modestly bouncing back to $66,800. The broader market gauge CoinDesk 20 Index was lower by 2.3% over the same time frame.

Taking to X shortly following the story, Tether Chief Technology Office Paolo Ardoino said the WSJ is "regurgitating old noise." There is no indication, said Ardoino, that Tether is under investigation.