Core Insights - The global financial system is witnessing a shift where non-state entities are competing with central banks in building gold reserves, with Tether emerging as one of the largest gold buyers [2][3][4] - In Q3 2025, Tether increased its gold holdings by 26 tons, surpassing the gold purchases of many central banks during the same period, making it the largest single buyer of gold for that quarter [3][4] - Tether's total gold holdings reached approximately 116 tons by the end of September 2025, positioning it among the top 30 gold holders globally, ahead of countries like Greece, Qatar, and Australia [2][4] Tether's Gold Purchases - Tether's gold purchases are funded by profits rather than reserves meant to back Tether's stablecoin, indicating a strategy of diversifying assets to enhance long-term resilience [3][4] - The company emphasizes that its gold accumulation does not signify liquidity issues or bankruptcy risks, as independent audits confirm the relationship between its assets and liabilities [10] Market Trends - The rise of private participants, including stablecoin issuers, sovereign wealth funds, and multinational corporations, is reshaping the gold market, which was traditionally dominated by central banks [3][4][7] - The World Gold Council reports an increase in demand for gold from non-sovereign entities, reflecting a structural shift in the market dynamics [3][4][7] Central Bank Activity - In Q3 2025, central banks collectively added 220 tons of gold, a 28% increase from the previous quarter, indicating that despite high prices, they continue to strategically increase their gold reserves [4][6][9] - Notable central bank purchases included Kazakhstan's increase of 18 tons, Brazil's first purchase since July 2021 with an addition of 15 tons, and Turkey's ongoing accumulation of 7 tons [9] Tether's Reserve Composition - As of September 30, 2025, gold and precious metals accounted for approximately 7% of Tether's total consolidated reserves, which includes gold supporting Tether's stablecoin and other investments [8] - The market capitalization of Tether's tokenized gold product, XAUT, is around $1.6 billion, corresponding to less than 12 tons of gold, while over 100 tons of gold are part of Tether's broader corporate reserves [8]