Tether kicked off 2026 by adding 8,888.88 BTC to its treasury wallet, as stated by CEO Paolo Ardoino, to allocate profits from Q4 2025.
This transfer, valued at approximately $780 million at current prices, bolsters a strategy that has quietly established the world’s largest stablecoin issuer as one of bitcoin’s most significant corporate holders.
The acquisition follows a policy that Tether implemented in 2023, which allocates up to 15% of its realized quarterly operating profits for bitcoin purchases, effectively transitioning the company into a systematic accumulator rather than a sporadic buyer.
These acquisitions are significant because Tether’s profits are intrinsically linked to the cash-like assets that support USDT, primarily short-term U.S. Treasuries and repos. As a result, rising rates and strong demand for stablecoins can lead to greater operating profits and, consequently, more bitcoin purchases.
In contrast to corporate buyers that specifically raise capital to acquire BTC, Tether’s methodology resembles an internal treasury strategy.
The company utilizes excess earnings to diversify its reserves without affecting the funds backing its stablecoin liabilities, while predominantly maintaining its backing in highly liquid instruments.
The timing is also noteworthy. Bitcoin has had difficulty maintaining rallies toward year-end, as liquidity has diminished across various venues and risk appetite remains inconsistent.
BTC was trading near $89,000 by midday Hong Kong time.
