Tether, the issuer of the largest stablecoin USDT, revealed detailed insights into its reserve holdings at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. CEO Paolo Ardoino announced that Tether holds more than 100,000 Bitcoin, valued over $10 billion, along with over 50 tons of physical gold.
This strategic disclosure underscores Tether's approach to backing USDT with a diversified and robust combination of digital and traditional assets. The substantial Bitcoin holdings reflect Tether’s confidence in cryptocurrency as a store of value and key asset class, while the sizeable gold reserves indicate a diversification towards safe-haven, tangible assets.
Transparency regarding these large reserve components aims to increase user trust and confidence in USDT’s 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar. Strong reserves help maintain the peg by enabling the issuer to manage supply and demand effectively, facilitate redemptions, and build market trust.
Market reactions were quick, with increased confidence observed in both Bitcoin and Tether ecosystems. Analysts note that Tether’s sizeable Bitcoin reserves position it as one of the largest institutional holders, potentially influencing Bitcoin liquidity and market dynamics.
Including physical gold offers broader appeal to traditional investors and adds a conservative balance to the reserve portfolio. Tether’s asset disclosure is viewed as a major step towards greater transparency in the stablecoin sector and enhances the perceived stability of USDT.
Overall, Tether’s reserve strategy, combining significant Bitcoin and gold holdings, expands its role beyond stablecoins to substantial steward of key crypto and traditional assets, fostering stronger market trust and resilience.