U.S. Judge Certifies Class Action Targeting Tether and Bitfinex Over 2017–2019 Crypto Price Manipulation Claims

On 7 March 2026, a U.S. federal judge certified a class action against Tether and Bitfinex, allowing groups of spot and futures traders to pursue claims that the firms drove up Bitcoin and Ethereum prices using unbacked USDT during the 2017 bull market. The case, which follows earlier regulatory settlements totaling $61 million, now advances to discovery, where both sides must turn over evidence on alleged antitrust and commodities law violations.