Bitcoin News Today: Tether Clarifies: Bitcoin Holdings Rose, Not Sold—Gold and Land Remain Key Bets

Tether, the issuer of the USDt (USDT) stablecoin, has denied recent claims that it is selling Bitcoin to invest in gold, a move that had sparked speculation and debate within the crypto community. The firm’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, clarified in a post on X that Tether “didn’t sell any Bitcoin” and reiterated its ongoing strategy of allocating profits into Bitcoin, gold, and land. This statement came in direct response to claims by content creator Clive Thompson, who cited Tether’s attestation data from BDO to argue that the firm had reduced its Bitcoin holdings from 92,650 BTC in Q1 to 83,274 BTC in Q2 2025.

However, Jan3 CEO Samson Mow clarified that the reduction in Bitcoin holdings was due to a transfer of 19,800 BTC to Twenty One Capital (XXI), a Bitcoin-native financial platform led by Strike CEO Jack Mallers. This transfer, which included 14,000 BTC in June and 5,800 BTC in July, was not a sell-off but rather a strategic reallocation of assets. Mow emphasized that Tether would have had 4,624 BTC more than at the end of Q1 if the transfer had not occurred, meaning the company actually increased its net Bitcoin holdings.

In early June, Tether moved over 37,000 BTC—worth approximately $3.9 billion—to support XXI. Ardoino confirmed that the Bitcoin was transferred, not sold, and reiterated Tether’s commitment to investing in safe assets. “While the world continues to get darker, Tether will continue to invest part of its profits into safe assets,” he wrote, reinforcing the company’s long-term investment strategy.

According to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET, Tether holds over 100,521 BTC, valued at around $11.17 billion, making it one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin. The firm’s allocation of assets, including a reported interest in the gold supply chain, underscores its diversification strategy amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty and evolving regulatory environments.

The timing of these claims coincided with El Salvador’s announcement that it had added $50 million worth of gold—13,999 troy ounces—to its foreign reserves, marking its first gold acquisition since 1990. This move by El Salvador was framed as a strategic effort to reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar. Prior to this, the country had built a Bitcoin reserve of $700 million, holding 6,292 BTC. However, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report noted that El Salvador had not made any new Bitcoin purchases since February 2025, highlighting the shifting dynamics of its cryptocurrency policy.

Tether’s Bitcoin sell-off rumors also coincided with broader volatility in the crypto market. Bitcoin’s price movements, regulatory developments, and the growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies have created a complex landscape for stablecoin issuers like Tether. The firm’s recent actions, including its reported allocation into gold and land, reflect a cautious approach amid these uncertainties.

In response to the controversy, Tether has taken additional steps to reassure the market. Ardoino shared the public address where the majority of Tether’s Bitcoin is directly held, signaling transparency in the firm’s asset management. This move aligns with broader industry trends where crypto firms are increasingly disclosing their holdings to build trust and comply with regulatory expectations.

The discussion around Tether’s asset allocation also underscores the growing intersection between cryptocurrencies and traditional financial assets. As Bitcoin continues to be viewed as a strategic reserve asset by some governments and institutions, the inclusion of gold and real estate in investment strategies reflects a broader trend of diversification. Tether’s public statements and actions indicate its intent to remain a key player in this evolving market, balancing innovation with stability.

Source:

[1] Tether denies Bitcoin sell-off rumors, confirms buying BTC, gold and land (https://cointelegraph.com/news/tether-denies-bitcoin-sell-off-invests-btc-gold-land)

[2] Tether CEO reveals the company's main Bitcoin holdings (https://m.odaily.news/en/newsflash/446940)

[3] Crypto Short News – Latest Real-Time Updates (https://coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/)