Key Takeaways
- •Tether plans $200M raise for gold-backed crypto treasury.
- •Partnership with Antalpha for gold tokenization.
- •No direct market impact on major cryptos yet.
Tether, in collaboration with Antalpha, is seeking at least $200 million for a tokenized gold crypto treasury, signaling a strategic move toward real‑world asset tokenization with XAUT.
The initiative could influence institutional interest in digital assets, particularly XAUT, amid economic uncertainties. It contributes to Tether's broader goal to expand its market presence in asset‑backed tokens.
Tether is planning to raise at least $200 million for its tokenized gold crypto treasury. This initiative, in partnership with Antalpha, aims to enhance Tether's role in real‑world asset tokenization through XAUT, the gold‑backed token.
In this move, Tether, led by CEO Paolo Ardoino, seeks to capitalize on the existing market trend. Antalpha, related to Bitmain, will aid in lending, custody, and token redemption services, highlighting their collaboration in this venture.
The initiative could spur interest in tokenized real‑world assets. XAUT demand increased by 46 % in 2025, pointing to its growing allure as an inflation hedge. This move aligns with heightened institutional interest in gold‑backed digital products.
Tether's ambition includes achieving a $500 billion valuation, buoyed by this expansion. The substantial increase in XAUT demand signals a shift towards tangible asset‑backed tokens, though no direct market impact on other major cryptocurrencies is noted.
This move could lead to increased usage of DeFi protocols supporting gold‑backed tokens. While the specific liquidity flows or TVL data were not cited, Tether's collaboration strategies bolster the growing focus on tokenizing physical assets.
Historical precedents, such as MicroStrategy's BTC model, and previous efforts by Tether with major financial entities reflect evolving trends. Tokenization of hard assets like gold offers a hedge against instability, gaining traction among institutional portfolios. “We see tokenized gold as a vital inflation hedge and key pillar in expanding Tether's role as a provider of real‑world asset‑backed digital assets.” – Paolo Ardoino, CEO, Tether.