Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, has denied speculation that it sold off part of its Bitcoin reserves. Instead, the company confirmed it continues to allocate profits into Bitcoin, gold, and land, reinforcing its long-term diversification strategy.
Tether Responds to Market Speculation
Rumors of a Tether Bitcoin sell-off emerged after YouTuber Clive Thompson claimed the company’s holdings dropped from 92,650 BTC in Q1 to 83,274 BTC in Q2 2025, citing BDO’s attestation data. This led to speculation that Tether liquidated part of its crypto portfolio to acquire gold.
However, CEO Paolo Ardoino swiftly dismissed these claims, stating:
- “We didn’t sell any Bitcoin.”
- Tether’s strategy remains focused on accumulating BTC, gold, and real estate as long-term stores of value.
Bitcoin Holdings Shifted, Not Sold
Industry experts clarified that the decline in recorded Bitcoin holdings was due to transfers, not sales.
- Jan3 CEO Samson Mow revealed that Tether moved 19,800 BTC to Twenty One Capital (XXI), a Bitcoin-native financial platform.
- This included 14,000 BTC in June and 5,800 BTC in July, with the total supporting a new initiative led by Strike CEO Jack Mallers.
If the transfer is accounted for, Tether’s holdings would have actually increased by 4,624 BTC since Q1.
Tether’s Growing Bitcoin Reserve
Currently, Tether holds over 100,521 BTC, valued at more than $11.17 billion, according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET. This positions the company as one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin globally, reinforcing its commitment to the asset despite short-term rumors.
Ardoino reiterated that while global uncertainty rises, Tether will continue to channel profits into “safe, scarce, and hard assets.”
El Salvador Joins the Gold Rush
The Tether update coincides with a major diversification move from El Salvador, which announced the purchase of 13,999 troy ounces of gold worth $50 million.
- This marks the country’s first gold acquisition since 1990.
- El Salvador’s gold reserves now total 58,105 troy ounces, valued at around $207.4 million.
Before pivoting to gold, the nation built a Bitcoin reserve of 6,292 BTC, worth nearly $700 million. However, the IMF reported that no new BTC purchases have been made since February 2025.
Why It Matters
Both Tether and El Salvador are showcasing a similar strategy—hedging against economic uncertainty by accumulating hard assets like Bitcoin and gold.
- For Tether, this strengthens trust in the backing of USDT, the world’s most traded stablecoin.
- For El Salvador, it reflects a push to diversify away from overreliance on the U.S. dollar, balancing reserves between Bitcoin, gold, and fiat assets.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.
