Tether Nets Record Profit as US Debt Hoard Hits $141 Billion

Core Insights - Tether reported a net profit of $10 billion for 2025, highlighting aggressive expansion and positioning as a major holder of US government debt [1] - The profit is attributed to a $50 billion liquidity injection into the crypto ecosystem, raising total USDT circulation above $186 billion, marking the second-largest annual expansion in Tether's history [2][3] Expansion and Demand - USDT's expansion of $50 billion was driven by increasing global demand for dollars outside traditional banking systems, particularly in regions with slow or fragmented financial systems [3] - Tether's CEO emphasized that USDT has become the most widely adopted monetary social network in history due to its network effect and growth [3] Financial Position - Tether's total reserve assets reached a record $193 billion, with $141 billion exposure to US Treasuries, positioning the company among the top global creditors to the US government [4][5] - The profit was primarily a result of the "higher-for-longer" interest rate environment rather than high-risk investments in sectors like AI and biotech [4] Systemic Risk and Scrutiny - Despite significant growth, Tether faces scrutiny regarding the true liquidity of its $17.4 billion in gold and $8.4 billion in Bitcoin holdings, especially during market downturns [5][6] - The company claims to have over $6.3 billion in excess reserves, but the lack of an audit from a "Big Four" accounting firm raises concerns about transparency [5][6]