Tether has put a big bet on bullion. Reports say the stablecoin issuer bought a roughly $150 million stake in Gold.com, taking about 12% of the shares at a price that undercuts recent trading. That move follows signals that both firms want to tie physical gold markets to digital tokens more closely. Investors reacted with a mix of curiosity and caution. Tether Takes A Stake Reports note the deal gives Tether the right to name a board member at Gold.com. That matters because it means more than money changes hands; it opens a direct line between a major crypto issuer and a major bullion distributor. The firms plan to explore a gold leasing facility of at least $100 million, a step that could help move metal without always shifting cash around. Gold.com will also accept Tether’s stablecoins, including USDT and USAT, as part of the collaboration. Tether Makes $150 Million Strategic Investment in https://t.co/wkdntYlIFB , Expanding Global Access to Tokenized and Physical Gold Read more: https://t.co/ttkmDcS369 — Tether (@tether) February 5, 2026 What The Deal Could Do This partnership aims to speed how people buy, sell, and hold gold using crypto rails. Part of the cash will be put toward Tether’s gold-backed token, XAU₮. That could make XAU₮ more usable in everyday trades, and it might give buyers a clearer path from a crypto wallet to physical bullion. Some traders think this helps gold tokens gain credibility. Others worry a big crypto player stepping into metal markets will raise fresh questions about custody, audit practices, and how price moves will be reported. Market Reaction And Risk Equity traders noticed the shares were bought at close to 12% discount to recent levels, which suggests a negotiated, strategic purchase rather than a public market run. Buyers in the bullion trade care about storage, insurance, and counterparty trust. Reports have disclosed that linking stablecoins and physical assets raises both promise and regulatory scrutiny. Regulators in several regions are already watching how tokenized assets are structured. That scrutiny could shape how fast this partnership scales. Distribution And Token Plans Gold.com and Tether appear set to build new on-ramps. Imagine buying bullion and immediately receiving a token that represents the metal, or using USDT to pay for vault storage without fiat rails. The plan to put a portion of funds into XAU₮ suggests token holders might see more liquidity and more places to spend or move their gold exposure. That could cut friction for buyers who prefer digital settlement. Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
