Tether’s Gold Hoard Surges to 116 Tons, Rivals Small Central Banks

Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in gold prices is attributed to Tether's significant accumulation of gold, which has tightened supply and contributed to the price rally, rather than traditional market drivers [1]. Group 1: Tether's Gold Accumulation - Tether has reportedly aimed to purchase around 100 tons of gold in 2023, following meetings with miners and royalty firms [2]. - Analysts estimate Tether held at least 116 tons of gold by the end of Q3 2023, with 12 tons backing its XAUt token and approximately 104 tons backing USDT, making it the largest non-sovereign holder of gold [3]. - The pace of Tether's gold accumulation was notable, with around 26 tons acquired in Q3 2023, representing about 2% of global demand [4]. Group 2: Future Projections and Strategies - Tether is expected to continue its gold accumulation as USDT grows, maintaining gold at about 7% of its reserves, with potential annual additions of nearly 60 tons based on projected profits [5]. - Tether has invested over $300 million into royalty and streaming companies in the gold sector, indicating a broader strategy in the metals market [6]. - The hiring of two top metals traders from HSBC suggests an acceleration in Tether's gold investment strategy [6].