Tether

Stablecoin giant Tether has quietly built an $8 billion gold vault in Switzerland as part of a bold strategy to diversify its reserves and cut long-term custody costs, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino in an interview with Bloomberg.
The massive stash, amounting to roughly 80 tons of gold, is stored in what Ardoino calls “the most secure vault in the world.” While exact coordinates remain undisclosed for security reasons, the move marks a significant pivot away from Tether’s traditional reliance on fiat-backed assets.
“We have our own vault. I believe it’s the most secure vault in the world,” Ardoino told Bloomberg, highlighting that directly owning physical gold allows Tether to bypass hefty storage fees charged by third-party vault operators.
Gold: A Buffer Against Fiat Turbulence
Tether’s March attestation shows that precious metals now make up 5% of the company’s $112 billion reserves. Its flagship stablecoin USDT recently hit a market cap of $159 billion, commanding over 62% of the entire stablecoin market worth $255 billion.
Ardoino argues that gold offers a vital safe-haven hedge amid growing concerns about rising US debt and potential regulatory headwinds for fiat-based reserves.
“Eventually, if people start to get concerned about the potential increase of the debt of the US, they might look at alternatives,” he explained, pointing to gold’s historical status as a store of value when fiat currencies weaken.
This shift mirrors broader trends, with central banks worldwide, especially in BRICS nations, ramping up gold purchases to shore up reserves. A recent J.P. Morgan report notes renewed investor interest in gold ETFs, while prices continue to climb.
Cost-Cutting and Long-Term Strategy
Tether’s gold push is not entirely new. The firm launched Tether Gold (XAUT), a tokenized gold product, which has quietly gained adoption alongside USDT. However, Ardoino says the real savings come from moving custody in-house.
“If Tether Gold were to grow to $100 billion in circulation, it’s a lot of money to pay 50 basis points,” Ardoino said, referencing the costly fees charged by external custodians.“If you have your own vault, eventually with the size, it gets much cheaper to do custody.”
Tether’s strategy mirrors traditional financial institutions like UBS Group, whose gold and commodity exposure matches Tether’s new precious metals holdings.
The latest revelation adds a fresh dimension to Tether’s positioning in an industry long scrutinized for reserve transparency. With gold now in the mix, the company aims to reassure investors that its stablecoins remain resilient even in times of fiat volatility.
The post appeared first on CryptosNewss.com

#Tether #TetherUSD $USDT

The #stablecoin market, a cornerstone of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, faces a potential earthquake. The subject of this seismic shift? #Tether (USDT), the largest stablecoin by market capitalization. For years, #USDT has been the go-to stablecoin for traders seeking to hedge against the volatility of other cryptocurrencies. But what if the United States, a global financial superpower, were to ban it?

This article explores the potential consequences of a US ban on $USDT , examining the ripple effects across the #crypto market and the broader financial landscape.

The Immediate Shockwaves
A US ban on USDT would trigger immediate and far-reaching shockwaves. Here's what we could expect:
Massive Sell-Off and De-Pegging: A ban would almost certainly lead to a massive sell-off of USDT by US-based investors and traders. This could cause USDT to lose its peg to the US dollar, sending shockwaves of panic throughout the market.Liquidity Crisis: USDT accounts for a huge chunk of trading volume. A ban would create a severe liquidity crisis, making it difficult for traders to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. This would lead to wider price gaps and higher costs for everyone involved.Flight to Alternatives: Investors would rush to convert their USDT into other stablecoins, such as USDC, BUSD, and DAI. This could lead to a significant re-shuffling of the stablecoin market and a rise in the prominence of regulated stablecoins.
Long-Term Consequences
The long-term consequences of a US ban on USDT could be even more profound:
Increased Regulatory Scrutiny: A ban on USDT would undoubtedly lead to increased regulatory scrutiny of other stablecoins. This could result in stricter regulations that stifle innovation and growth in the stablecoin market. However, it could also lead to clearer rules and a more stable market in the long run.Shift in Global Power Dynamics: A US ban could push the center of gravity of the crypto market away from the United States and towards more crypto-friendly jurisdictions. This could have significant implications for the global financial landscape.Rise of Decentralized Stablecoins: A ban on centralized stablecoins like USDT could accelerate the adoption of decentralized stablecoins, which are not controlled by any single entity. This would be a significant shift in the market and could lead to a more resilient and censorship-resistant financial system.Impact on DeFi: #defi platforms could see reduced functionality and user participation. Lower liquidity means fewer opportunities for everyone.
What This Means for You
If you hold USDT, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
Diversify your stablecoin holdings: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your holdings across a variety of stablecoins to mitigate your risk. Consider MICA-compliant stablecoins if you are in the EU.Stay informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest news and developments in the stablecoin market.Consider using a hardware wallet: A hardware wallet is the most secure way to store your cryptocurrencies.
The Bottom Line
A US ban on USDT would be a black swan event for the cryptocurrency market. It would have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences, not all of which are predictable. While a ban is not a certainty, it's a risk that every crypto investor should be aware of. The EU's MiCA regulation has already led to some exchanges delisting USDT for European users, which could be a sign of things to come in other jurisdictions.

This is my own opinion and it's not financial advice or anything like that.

Останнім часом у ЗМІ криптовалюту Tether ($USDT ) охрестили "валютою мрії" для відмивачів грошей. Цей стейблкоїн, прив’язаний до долара США, став популярним завдяки своїй стабільності та широкому використанню на крипторинку. Проте саме ці якості привертають увагу злочинців. За даними аналітичних компаній, Tether часто використовується в незаконних операціях через високу ліквідність і можливість швидких транзакцій без посередників.
Звіти показують, що значна частина транзакцій USDT пов’язана з підозрілими фінансовими потоками, включно з відмиванням грошей і фінансуванням незаконної діяльності. Анонімність, яку забезпечують деякі криптобіржі, та недостатня регуляція в окремих юрисдикціях лише посилюють проблему. Водночас Tether Limited стверджує, що співпрацює з правоохоронними органами та вдосконалює механізми моніторингу.
Експерти наголошують: без посилення глобального регулювання криптовалют, таких як Tether, боротьба з відмиванням грошей залишатиметься складною. Це викликає занепокоєння в регуляторів, які закликають до прозорості в криптосфері.
Чи справді Tether є інструментом злочинців, чи це лише побічний ефект його популярності? Дізнавайтеся більше про криптовалюти та їх вплив на світову економіку! Підписуйтесь на #MiningUpdates для актуальних новин.
#Tether #CryptoNews #MoneyLaundering #blockchain #Cryptocurrency #Finance #Regulation #USDT #MiningUpdates