Tether Acquires 8,888 Bitcoin in Q4, CEO Announces

Summary: Tether has increased its Bitcoin holdings significantly towards the end of 2025, purchasing around 8,888 Bitcoin, adding to its long-term reserves. CEO Paolo Ardoino announced this on X, with blockchain data suggesting even more acquisitions than reported.

Key Takeaways

Tether purchased an estimated 8,888.9 BTC in Q4 2025, with total acquisitions nearing 9,850 BTC.
The purchases were valued at approximately $876 million at market rates.
Tether's Bitcoin reserves have now reached 96,185 BTC, placing them among the largest Bitcoin wallet holders worldwide.
The company's strategy focuses on long-term value preservation through Bitcoin and physical gold.
Tether is believed to hold about 116 metric tons of gold, positioning it as a major player in the global gold market.

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Tether's Bitcoin Purchase Strategy

At the end of 2025, Tether significantly increased its Bitcoin holdings to secure value over the long term. CEO Paolo Ardoino disclosed in a post on X that the company bought about 8,888.9 BTC during the fourth quarter. However, on-chain data indicates that their buying activity might be more extensive, estimating total acquisitions close to 9,850 BTC. At current market rates, these acquisitions are valued at around $876 million.

Incremental Acquisitions Signal Strategic Timing

Tether did not make these purchases all at once; instead, the company gradually accumulated Bitcoin over time. The first notable purchase occurred on November 7, 2025, when records show that Tether withdrew 961 BTC from Bitfinex, valued at approximately $97.18 million. The accumulation continued into the following year, peaking on January 1, 2026, with a transfer of 8,888.8 BTC into Tether’s main reserve wallet, which was worth almost $778 million according to on-chain data.

Reaching Global Bitcoin Rankings

After completing these transactions, Tether’s primary Bitcoin address saw significant growth, now holding 96,185 BTC, valued at about $8.42 billion. This positions Tether's wallet within the top five largest Bitcoin wallets globally. The company emphasizes that Bitcoin is not merely a trading asset but is intended as a long-term treasury reserve. Tether regularly channels excess operational profits into Bitcoin, showcasing its long-term confidence in the cryptocurrency as a hedge rather than engaging in speculative investment.

Gold Holdings Boost Reserve Strategy

Bitcoin is not the only asset that defines Tether's reserve strategy; the company is also increasing its stake in physical gold, diversifying its stores of value. A recent research note from Jefferies estimates that Tether possesses around 116 metric tons of gold, matching the reserves of countries like South Korea, Hungary, and Greece. They further note that no private entity is believed to hold more gold than Tether. The research indicates that Tether represented roughly 2% of global gold demand in the last quarter, with nearly 12% of central bank gold purchases attributed to the company.

In summary, Tether's strategy of expanding both Bitcoin and gold reserves indicates a purposeful approach, focused on building a robust balance sheet grounded in long-term value rather than seeking short-term profits.

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