Tether's Hypothetical IPO Valuation Could Eclipse Coca-Cola & Costco — Here’s What It Means for Crypto
Tether's CEO says a public valuation could top $515B, making it bigger than Coca-Cola and Costco. Explore the implications for stablecoins, Bitcoin, and market perception.
🏦 If Tether Went Public Today, It Would Be the 19th Largest Company on Earth
According to recent remarks by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, if the company behind the largest stablecoin by market cap went public, it could be valued at an eye-watering $515 billion.
To put that in perspective, that’s more than the current market valuations of:
🥤 Coca-Cola
🛒 Costco
🎮 Netflix
✈️ Boeing
It would rank Tether as the 19th largest company in the world.
💬 What Did Tether’s CEO Say?
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Paolo Ardoino emphasized:
> “Our valuation estimates may even be conservative — especially considering our reserves in Bitcoin and gold, which continue to grow.”
Despite the bold projections, Ardoino stressed that Tether remains humble but optimistic about its next growth phase, especially as a hedging tool during times of global instability.
📈 Why This Matters for Crypto
Tether ($USDT) is more than just a top stablecoin — it’s one of crypto’s most crucial infrastructure layers. Its massive liquidity underpins trading on thousands of pairs across virtually every major exchange.
If Tether were to list publicly with a valuation in the half-trillion-dollar range, here’s what it could mean:
🌍 Mainstream validation for stablecoins as serious financial players
🏦 Increased scrutiny from regulators
🪙 Greater trust in USDT's backing and reserves (especially BTC and gold)
📉 Potential volatility for competitors like $USDC or $DAI if dominance shifts
💼 Entry point for institutional investors into crypto’s "cash layer"
🪙 Tether's Assets: Bitcoin, Gold & Stable Liquidity
Tether has quietly accumulated billions in Bitcoin, positioning itself as one of the largest holders. Pair that with increasing gold reserves, and Tether is evolving from just a dollar-pegged token into a multi-asset reserve-backed financial instrument.
This moves $USDT closer to becoming a global hedge asset, especially useful in economies dealing with:
Inflation
Currency devaluation
Capital controls
