Tether Goes Stateside: Gold Giant Invests $100M in Anchorage Digital
On February 5, 2026, the stablecoin issuer Tether, which has emerged as one of the world's most aggressive gold buyers, announced a $100 million investment in Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered crypto bank in the United States.
This strategic move marks Tether's deeper entry into the regulated U.S. financial system following the passage of the GENIUS Act into law last year. The investment values Anchorage Digital at $4.2 billion.
Tether's Role as a Major Gold Buyer
Tether has transitioned into a "sovereign-scale" gold holder, accumulating physical bullion at a pace that rivals or exceeds many national central banks.
Gold Reserves: Tether has amassed approximately 140 tons of gold (valued at roughly $23 billion) stored in a former Cold War bunker in Switzerland.
Buying Pace: The company reportedly purchases 1 to 2 tons of gold weekly using profits generated from its $187 billion USDT stablecoin reserves.
Market Impact: In 2025, Tether outpaced nearly every central bank in gold acquisition, except for Poland.
Investment Details & Strategic Impact
Target Entity: Anchorage Digital, the only U.S. crypto bank with a national banking charter, providing custody, staking, and settlement services.
Purpose: The investment provides Tether a foothold in regulated U.S. stablecoin infrastructure, specifically supporting USAT, Tether's U.S.-compliant stablecoin.
Secondary Market: Alongside the primary investment, Anchorage announced its first-ever tender offer, allowing employees to sell equity at the new $4.2 billion valuation.
Key Insights
De-dollarization: Tether's massive pivot to gold reflects a broader trend of large institutions and central banks diversifying away from U.S. Treasuries toward hard assets.
Institutional Legitimacy: By investing in a federally chartered bank like Anchorage, Tether aims to transition from an offshore operator to a regulated participant in the U.S. digital asset market.
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