Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino: ‘Bitcoin and Gold Will Outlast Any Other Currency’

Paolo Ardoino, Chief Technology Officer of Tether, published a brief statement on X declaring that “Bitcoin and Gold will outlast any other currency,” a concise affirmation aligning with the issuer’s reserve diversification strategy. This comment underscores Tether’s commitment to long-term store-of-value assets alongside its flagship stablecoin, USDT.

In May 2023, Tether announced a policy to allocate up to 15% of net realized operating profits toward purchasing bitcoin, directing those purchases into surplus reserves rather than backing USDT on a one-for-one basis. The move was designed to strengthen balance sheet resilience and introduce non-fiat assets into Tether’s treasury mix.

Alongside bitcoin accumulation, Tether has expanded its gold exposure through the tokenized XAUt product, backed by allocated physical bars. As of June 30, 2025, Tether reported over 7.66 tons of gold backing outstanding XAUt tokens, reflecting a significant increase in precious metal holdings.

Ardoino’s recent statement reiterates themes voiced in a September 2025 Financial Times report, which detailed Tether’s exploratory talks across the gold supply chain, including mining and refining partnerships. Such upstream investments aim to secure long-term access to gold and to integrate tokenization efforts with traditional bullion markets.

This minimalist eight-word proclamation should not be interpreted as a policy shift but rather as a reinforcement of existing allocations: liquid instruments such as U.S. Treasurys remain the primary reserve, with bitcoin and gold serving as complementary hedges against fiat debasement.

Market participants now anticipate Tether’s upcoming attestation report, expected later this month, to confirm whether allocations to bitcoin and gold have increased further. The outcome will clarify Tether’s asset mix and may influence market perceptions of stablecoin reserve quality.

Bitcoin’s year-to-date performance, up approximately 22.8%, and gold’s rise of nearly 52.9% highlight the rationale behind Tether’s dual-asset hedge approach amid macroeconomic uncertainties and potential currency debasement risks.

By reaffirming bitcoin and gold as strategic pillars, Tether seeks to balance liquidity with longer-term value preservation while maintaining trust in its digital fiat equivalent. Investors and regulators alike will scrutinize future attestations for transparency and adherence to stated reserve policies.

Tether’s gold token, XAUt, offers token holders direct exposure to allocated physical gold, bridging on-chain assets with traditional commodity markets. The synergy between digital and physical assets exemplifies evolving approaches to treasury management in the crypto industry.

Looking ahead, shifts in asset allocations may impact USDT’s perceived stability, with increased bitcoin and gold reserves potentially enhancing confidence but also introducing volatility considerations. Tether’s balance between yield-bearing instruments and store-of-value assets will remain central to its risk management framework.

As stablecoin ecosystems expand, Tether’s reserve structure may set benchmarks for industry peers, prompting competitive reserve diversification strategies and influencing regulatory dialogues around stablecoin backing standards.

The interplay between macroeconomic policies, currency depreciation concerns and digital asset adoption underpins Tether’s rationale for dual hedges. This approach aims to safeguard liquidity while preserving purchasing power for token holders.

Tether’s next attestation will be pivotal in validating the company’s reserve commitments, offering greater clarity on the proportion of bitcoin and gold in its treasury and reinforcing market confidence in USDT.

Investors should monitor reserve updates closely, as shifts in allocations may signal evolving risk appetites and strategic positioning within Tether’s treasury operations.

Ultimately, Ardoino’s succinct post highlights Tether’s vision of bitcoin and gold as durable stores of value, reflecting broader industry trends toward diversified, transparent reserve management practices in digital asset issuance.