Over the course of 2025, Tether has notably increased its physical gold holdings, acquiring 26 metric tons in the third quarter alone. This amount surpasses the volume of gold purchased by any central bank within that timeframe, underscoring Tether's aggressive accumulation strategy. As of the end of September 2025, the company's entire gold inventory stood at roughly 116 tons, with a market valuation near $14 billion. The predominant portion of these reserves is allocated to support UST, the firm's primary stablecoin that is collateralized by a mix of underlying assets, including gold. Additionally, approximately 12 tons of the total holdings are set aside specifically to back another digital token issued by Tether: the cryptocurrency known as Tether Gold, or XAUT.
Tether Gold functions as a stablecoin granting investors digital access to physical gold ownership. Each XAUT token corresponds to one troy ounce of gold securely stored in vaults located in Switzerland. The valuation of XAUT typically mirrors the market price of gold closely, reflecting fluctuations inherent to the precious metal's trading value. An advantage for holders of XAUT is the ability to redeem tokens for physical gold; however, redemption requires a minimum amount equivalent to one gold bullion bar, which translates to at least 430 XAUT tokens according to Tether's policies. Redemption of the physical gold must occur within Switzerland, as this is the designated storage location for the secured bullion.
By being directly pegged to physical gold, Tether Gold presents itself as a robust hedge against fluctuations in the U.S. dollar. In fact, gold prices have surged substantially in 2025, marking the best year since 1979 with an increase of approximately 67% as measured by December 21, 2025. This appreciation in gold’s value has been mirrored closely by XAUT, which has experienced a similar percentage gain over the same period.
Beyond its price link to the precious metal, it is critical to recognize that as a cryptocurrency, XAUT carries inherent risks. It operates in an unregulated market space, which introduces uncertainties for investors. In 2017, the parent organization Tether faced allegations concerning the misuse of reserves backing another stablecoin, USDT. Since then, the company has taken steps toward transparency and maintaining reserves properly. Despite these efforts, XAUT, like many cryptocurrencies, can occasionally disconnect or “de-peg” from the actual price of gold. Such divergence may result from market conditions, liquidity constraints, or shifting regulatory environments. These factors can produce sudden increases or decreases in XAUT's trading price relative to gold itself.
For investors who are mindful of these vulnerabilities and understand the dynamics of the crypto space, Tether Gold offers a relatively lower-risk entry point into digital asset investment backed by a tangible commodity. With a $100 investment, individuals gain exposure to the movements of a physical asset through a digital token, combining ease of access with the potential for value retention offered by gold. Nonetheless, potential buyers must weigh the benefits of digital convenience against the suite of risks inherent to cryptocurrency markets and physical asset redemption constraints.
Tether Gold functions as a stablecoin granting investors digital access to physical gold ownership. Each XAUT token corresponds to one troy ounce of gold securely stored in vaults located in Switzerland. The valuation of XAUT typically mirrors the market price of gold closely, reflecting fluctuations inherent to the precious metal's trading value. An advantage for holders of XAUT is the ability to redeem tokens for physical gold; however, redemption requires a minimum amount equivalent to one gold bullion bar, which translates to at least 430 XAUT tokens according to Tether's policies. Redemption of the physical gold must occur within Switzerland, as this is the designated storage location for the secured bullion.
By being directly pegged to physical gold, Tether Gold presents itself as a robust hedge against fluctuations in the U.S. dollar. In fact, gold prices have surged substantially in 2025, marking the best year since 1979 with an increase of approximately 67% as measured by December 21, 2025. This appreciation in gold’s value has been mirrored closely by XAUT, which has experienced a similar percentage gain over the same period.
Beyond its price link to the precious metal, it is critical to recognize that as a cryptocurrency, XAUT carries inherent risks. It operates in an unregulated market space, which introduces uncertainties for investors. In 2017, the parent organization Tether faced allegations concerning the misuse of reserves backing another stablecoin, USDT. Since then, the company has taken steps toward transparency and maintaining reserves properly. Despite these efforts, XAUT, like many cryptocurrencies, can occasionally disconnect or “de-peg” from the actual price of gold. Such divergence may result from market conditions, liquidity constraints, or shifting regulatory environments. These factors can produce sudden increases or decreases in XAUT's trading price relative to gold itself.
For investors who are mindful of these vulnerabilities and understand the dynamics of the crypto space, Tether Gold offers a relatively lower-risk entry point into digital asset investment backed by a tangible commodity. With a $100 investment, individuals gain exposure to the movements of a physical asset through a digital token, combining ease of access with the potential for value retention offered by gold. Nonetheless, potential buyers must weigh the benefits of digital convenience against the suite of risks inherent to cryptocurrency markets and physical asset redemption constraints.