Tether, the powerhouse behind the USDT stablecoin, wrapped up 2025 with a blockbuster purchase of 8,888 Bitcoin on New Year’s Eve, valued at around $780 million. This move pushes their disclosed BTC stash past 96,000, making Tether’s wallet the fifth-largest globally and a top contender among corporate treasuries.
Announced by CEO Paolo Ardoino on X, the acquisition aligns with Tether’s strategy of channeling up to 15% of quarterly profits into Bitcoin, signaling confidence in the asset amid fluctuating markets.
Building a Bitcoin Empire
Tether’s Bitcoin journey has been anything but static. Starting the year with a Q1 buy that topped 100,000 BTC, holdings dipped at times due to transfers to its backed venture, Twenty One Capital—which now holds 43,514 BTC, ranking third among public companies. Ardoino firmly denied any sales, emphasizing these were strategic reallocations rather than liquidations. This latest haul not only restores but enhances their position, trailing only giants like Binance and Strategy in the Bitcoin treasury race.
Diversifying Reserves: Gold and Beyond
Beyond Bitcoin, Tether’s reserve strategy includes hefty gold investments, with a Q3 2025 addition of 26 tons bringing their total to 116 tons—placing them among the world’s top 30 gold holders. This mix of US Treasurys, BTC, and gold aims to bolster USDT’s stability, but it’s not without critics. Ratings agency S&P downgraded USDT’s credit score to “weak” over transparency and concentration risks, while former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes flagged potential vulnerabilities in the growing non-fiat share of reserves.
Market Ripples and Future Outlook
Tether’s accumulation mirrors a 2025 corporate Bitcoin frenzy, with players like Metaplanet adding 4,279 BTC to reach 35,102 and Strategy amassing over 670,000. As Bitcoin hovers around $87,817, these buys fuel optimism but spark debates on market concentration. For Tether, this could strengthen USDT’s backing amid scrutiny, potentially influencing stablecoin adoption and broader crypto liquidity in 2026.