Tether Buys 8,888 Bitcoin to Close 2025, Becomes Fifth-Largest BTC Wallet

Tether Ends 2025 With Another Major Bitcoin Purchase

Stablecoin issuer Tether added 8,888 Bitcoin to its balance sheet on New Year’s Eve, pushing its disclosed BTC holdings to more than 96,000 BTC, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino.

At the time of purchase, the latest allocation was valued at approximately $780 million, continuing the company’s steady accumulation strategy as it closed out 2025.

Tether Now Ranks Among the Largest Bitcoin Holders

With the new purchase, Tether has emerged as one of the most significant active holders of Bitcoin globally. On-chain data places the company’s primary Bitcoin address as the fifth-largest Bitcoin wallet, trailing only major custodial platforms such as Binance,

Robinhood, and Bitfinex.

Among privately held corporate Bitcoin treasuries, Tether now ranks second, underscoring the scale of its long-term BTC exposure.

Publicly available wallet rankings can be tracked via BitInfoCharts

Quarterly Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy Continues

Tether’s latest purchase follows a consistent pattern. The company has committed to allocating up to 15% of its quarterly profits into Bitcoin, turning excess earnings into long-term hard-asset exposure.

This disciplined approach has steadily increased Tether’s BTC holdings throughout the year, even as prices fluctuated and market sentiment shifted.

Bitcoin Is Only Part of Tether’s Reserve Strategy

Bitcoin is not Tether’s only non-cash reserve asset. In Q3 2025, the company acquired 26 metric tons of gold, marking a larger quarterly gold purchase than any reporting central bank during the same period.

That acquisition brought Tether’s total gold holdings to 116 tons, placing it among the top 30 gold holders globally.

Tether’s reserves now span a mix of US Treasurys, Bitcoin, and gold, a structure that has attracted increased scrutiny from analysts and ratings agencies.

Reserve Composition Draws Scrutiny

Concerns over reserve concentration and transparency recently led S&P to downgrade USDT’s assessment from “constrained” to “weak.” Critics, including former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes, have raised questions about the growing share of Bitcoin and gold within Tether’s reserves.

Tether’s Bitcoin balance has also fluctuated at times during the year. After a large first-quarter purchase, holdings briefly exceeded 100,000 BTC, later declining and prompting speculation that the company had sold part of its position.

Ardoino Denies Bitcoin Sell-Off Claims

CEO Paolo Ardoino has repeatedly denied claims that Tether reduced its Bitcoin exposure. He clarified that part of the movement reflected contributions to Twenty One Capital, a Tether-backed entity.

As of New Year’s Day, Twenty One Capital held 43,514 BTC, making it the third-largest Bitcoin holder among public companies, behind MARA Holdings and Strategy.

Corporate Bitcoin Accumulation Accelerates

Tether’s year-end purchase comes amid a broader surge in corporate Bitcoin accumulation.

• Metaplanet, a Japan-listed firm, added 4,279 BTC, lifting its total treasury to 35,102 BTC.

• Strategy continued raising capital through equity and debt offerings, pushing its Bitcoin holdings above 670,000 BTC, the largest corporate stash globally.

The trend reflects growing confidence among corporations that Bitcoin represents a long-term strategic asset rather than a speculative trade.

Outlook: Bitcoin’s Role in Corporate Treasuries Expands

Tether’s continued accumulation reinforces Bitcoin’s evolving role as a core treasury reserve asset for large institutions. As more companies convert excess cash into BTC, competition for supply may continue to intensify — particularly during periods of limited issuance.

With over 96,000 BTC now on its balance sheet, Tether remains a central player in the ongoing institutional Bitcoin land grab.

Related: CFTC Official Who Paved the Way for Bitcoin Futures Returns as Chief of Staff