Tether CEO Reveals 150,000 Bitcoin Holdings Worth Over $11.5 Billion
Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, has expanded its Bitcoin holdings to approximately 150,000 BTC. CEO Paolo Ardoino disclosed the figure during a keynote at the Plan ₿ Forum in Lugano, Switzerland.
The Bitcoin holdings are worth more than $11.5 billion, according to Ardoino. The announcement highlights Tether’s growing position as a major corporate Bitcoin holder and reinforces its long-term cryptocurrency investment strategy.
Tether Expands Bitcoin Holdings Significantly in 2026
Tether’s latest disclosure represents a substantial increase from its Bitcoin holdings earlier this year. Previous figures placed the company’s holdings between 96,000 and 100,000 BTC.
The increase suggests Tether has accumulated roughly 50,000 additional Bitcoin during 2026. However, the company has not publicly detailed every transaction behind the reported expansion.
Tether began regularly purchasing Bitcoin in May 2023. Under its investment strategy, the company allocates up to 15% of quarterly net realized operating profits toward Bitcoin acquisitions.
The approach allows Tether to build long-term cryptocurrency exposure while maintaining substantial investments in traditional financial assets. However, Bitcoin’s price volatility introduces additional risks to its overall financial position.
US Treasury Holdings Remain Central to Tether’s Reserves
Despite its expanding Bitcoin portfolio, Tether continues to maintain significant exposure to US government securities.
According to its third-quarter 2026 reserve attestation, the company held approximately $132.4 billion in direct and indirect US Treasury investments. These holdings include Treasury bills and related repurchase agreements.
The company also reported excess reserves of approximately $7.95 billion at the end of September. That represents a substantial increase from the $4.1 billion reported during the second quarter.
Furthermore, Tether generated approximately $1.5 billion in net operating profit during the third quarter. Its total reserve assets reached approximately $191.5 billion.
Bitcoin Strategy Strengthens Tether’s Crypto Market Position
Tether’s growing Bitcoin holdings demonstrate how the stablecoin issuer continues expanding beyond its core USDT business.
Ardoino also highlighted the company’s expanding global reach, claiming more than 730 million users worldwide. He said approximately 30 million new wallets join its ecosystem each quarter.
Meanwhile, the reported Bitcoin holdings place Tether among the cryptocurrency industry’s largest corporate investors. However, the latest 150,000 BTC figure remains based on Ardoino’s disclosure rather than independently verified wallet balances.
The company’s continued accumulation could strengthen its exposure to Bitcoin’s long-term performance. Nevertheless, future price fluctuations will influence the value of its cryptocurrency investments.
