Tether, the entity behind the widely-used USDT stablecoin, has significantly increased its Bitcoin investment, purchasing 8,888 BTC valued at $618 million on March 31. This strategic acquisition escalates Tether’s Bitcoin reserves to more than 75,000 BTC, equivalent to around $5.2 billion, positioning Tether as the seventh largest Bitcoin holder globally. This move underscores Tether’s commitment to diversifying the assets backing its stablecoin amidst a growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, especially with the impending Bitcoin halving event.
Binance holds the top spot as the largest Bitcoin holder, with its cold wallet containing 248,597 BTC worth approximately $17.31 billion. Tether’s latest purchase, at an average cost of $30,305 per Bitcoin, reflects its strategy to bolster the sustainability and reliability of USDT by allocating 15% of its net income towards Bitcoin investments.
The cryptocurrency market has witnessed considerable volatility, yet Bitcoin has shown resilience, maintaining a steady position above the $69,000 mark for over two months. The upcoming halving event, which historically impacts Bitcoin’s price, adds to the market’s dynamics, with analysts divided on its full implications. Basile Maire, co-founder of D8X and a former executive at UBS, highlighted the halving’s significance, suggesting that its effects on Bitcoin’s value are yet to be fully realized.
Tether’s decision to increase its Bitcoin holdings not only demonstrates its confidence in the cryptocurrency’s value but also aligns with broader market trends of institutional adoption following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States.