BitMEX Founder Warns Tether’s Bitcoin Bet Could Trigger USDT Collapse

Core Insights - Tether's Q3 2025 attestation shows it holds approximately $22.8 billion in gold and Bitcoin, raising concerns about potential risks associated with this diversification strategy [1] - CEO Paolo Ardoino claims Tether has a multi-billion-dollar excess reserve buffer and total Group equity nearing $30 billion, while critics argue this diversification could lead to insolvency [1][3] - Hayes warns that a 30% decline in Tether's gold and Bitcoin positions could render USDT theoretically insolvent, with significant implications for its Treasury income [2] Financial Position - Tether reported approximately $7 billion in excess equity and $23 billion in retained earnings, with total assets around $215 billion against $184.5 billion in stablecoin liabilities [3] - Gold and Bitcoin constitute only 12.6% of Tether's reserves, indicating a broader asset base [3] Criticism and Defense - Ardoino accused critics of misrepresenting Tether's financial position, highlighting that S&P Global's downgrade overlooked additional Group equity and monthly profits from U.S. Treasury yields [4] - Industry experts, including Joseph Ayoub, emphasize that Tether's disclosed assets do not encompass all corporate holdings, suggesting a more complex financial structure [5]