Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, has acquired nearly 8,889 bitcoin today, adding over $1 billion worth of the asset to its balance sheet, according to on-chain data.
The on-chain transfer brings the firm’s total treasury holdings to over 86,000 BTC, solidifying Tether’s position as one of the largest corporate bitcoin holders globally.
This acquisition appears to be part of a strategic effort to diversify Tether’s reserves into “hard assets” such as bitcoin, gold, and even agriculture.
Earlier this year, the company revealed it possessed over 100,000 BTC along with 50 tons of gold, while also investing in XXI, a bitcoin treasury firm, through transfers exceeding 15,000 BTC in June and July.
Tether has yet to make any official announcement regarding this transaction. While it’s presumed to be a purchase, it could also be a transfer for another purpose.
In addition to digital assets, Tether has acquired a 70 percent stake in Adecoagro, a Latin American agribusiness with over 210,000 hectares of farmland across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
By anchoring its balance sheet in non-sovereign assets, Tether is positioning itself as more than just a stablecoin issuer. The company is betting that bitcoin will serve as a long-term reserve asset—providing a hedge against inflation and sovereign debt markets.
Echoing this sentiment, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan noted in a memo that Tether’s rapid expansion could lead it to become the most profitable company in history, potentially surpassing Saudi Aramco due to its access to global currency and money markets.
Tether’s $20 Billion Fundraising Gambit
The billion-dollar bitcoin addition coincides with Tether’s pursuit of one of the most ambitious fundraising rounds in corporate history. The company is reportedly seeking $15–20 billion in new equity capital in exchange for roughly 3 percent of its shares, which would value Tether near $500 billion.
This move would position it among the world’s most valuable private firms, comparable to SpaceX and OpenAI.
Cantor Fitzgerald is believed to be advising on the transaction, which will involve new shares rather than existing investors cashing out.
Tether’s Pivot Toward US Regulation
Simultaneously, Tether is preparing to launch USAT, a fully U.S.-compliant stablecoin crafted specifically for the American market.
The initiative will be led by former White House adviser Bo Hines and aims to comply with the GENIUS Act, the U.S. regulatory framework for dollar-backed stablecoins.
Unlike USDT, which has typically operated outside the U.S. due to regulatory challenges, USAT will be issued under U.S. oversight, with reserves held by Anchorage Digital Bank and managed partially by Cantor Fitzgerald. The anticipated launch at year-end represents Tether’s most direct competition yet against Circle’s USDC, the leading U.S.-regulated stablecoin.
Earlier this year, Tether announced that USDT is re-entering Bitcoin via Taproot Assets, with initial issuance on Bitfinex and interoperability with the Lightning Network.
