Where to store USDT while waiting for a Bear market
Where to store USDT while waiting for a bear market: comparison of platforms with returns of up to 14%
In 2025, Bitcoin rose above $120,000. Some investors started buying altcoins, while more conservative ones thought about locking in profits in stablecoins.
However, by simply storing fiat and “stable coins,” users are missing out on additional profits. Modern services offer returns of 2% to 14% per annum in anticipation of the next bear market.
We analyzed three categories of platforms for generating passive income: centralized exchanges with conservative rates, specialized Earn services with higher returns, and DeFi protocols for experienced crypto investors. Let's figure out which solution is best for each category of users.
And while you’re weighing strategies for serious capital, some traders also like to keep things lighthearted by testing their luck in simple crypto-themed games — for example, Plinko rush.
Exchanges
CEX exchanges remain the first choice for most investors due to their ease of use and high liquidity. As of July 2025, they offer returns of 5% and temporary bonus campaigns for new users. Among the most popular in the CIS and Eastern Europe are:
Binance. Offers up to 13% on flexible deposits for USDT. The high rate is only valid for deposits up to 200 USDT, after which the yield drops to 5%. The advantage of the product is high liquidity with instant withdrawal of funds from flexible deposits.
MEXC. 11% on flexible deposits. The exchange gives new users a bonus rate of 600% for two days;
OKX. Flexible deposits in USDT with a yield of 5% and 10% for new users for 180 days, as well as the opportunity to earn yields in the Aave and Compound DeFi protocols by delegating funds to the exchange;
Kraken. 5.5% APY on USDT with no minimum deposit. Payouts are made weekly.
DeFi protocols
In decentralized finance, experienced users can find higher returns compared to CEX. But the main advantage is non-custodiality and the absence of KYC procedures.
User funds are managed by smart contracts rather than a centralized organization.
At the same time, it is important to consider the risks: even proven projects can contain vulnerabilities. A recent study showed that scammers also use old domains of inactive dapps that are still mentioned on platforms such as DeFi Llama and DappRadar.
Among the top projects in terms of total value locked (TVL) are:
Aave — a lending protocol that operates on 17 blockchains. In July 2025, the yield on USDT ranged from 3% to 10%, depending on the pool. When large players withdraw liquidity, rates can rise sharply. The protocol has been tested by the market for many years;
Morpho — adds a P2P layer on top of Aave and Compound, directly connecting lenders and borrowers. This allows you to earn between 4% and 10% thanks to more efficient capital allocation. In June 2025, Morpho V2 was launched with support for fixed rates;
Sky Protocol (formerly MakerDAO) is one of the oldest DeFi protocols, launched in 2017. After rebranding, it offers rates of 4.5% through Sky Savings Rate (SSR);
Ethena offers a yield of around 10% on the synthetic stablecoin USDe. With high market activity, the yield can reach 15–25%.