Stablecoin Issuer Tether Bitcoin Holdings in 2026 Hit 96,185 BTC; Details

TLDR

• Tether added 8,888.8888888 BTC to its reserve on January 1, 2026.
• Total Q4 2025 Bitcoin purchases estimated at 9,850 BTC by EmberCN.
• Tether’s BTC reserve stands at 96,185 BTC valued at $8.42 billion.
• Average purchase price of Tether’s BTC holdings is around $51,117.

Tether has confirmed the addition of nearly 9,000 Bitcoin to its reserve during the fourth quarter of 2025. This latest move takes the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 96,185 BTC, making it one of the largest known holders of the digital asset globally.

Confirmed Transfer and Estimated Q4 Accumulation

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino publicly confirmed that the company moved 8,888.8888888 BTC from Bitfinex to its reserve address. The transfer took place on January 1, 2026, with the coins worth about $778.7 million at the time of execution. Blockchain data linked to Tether’s known reserve address confirms this movement.

Data from blockchain analytics firm EmberCN estimated that Tether acquired approximately 9,850 BTC during the fourth quarter of 2025.

The firm indicated that this accumulation pattern was structured and not based on short-term market reactions. EmberCN also tracked a 961 BTC withdrawal by Tether from Bitfinex on November 7, valued at nearly $97.18 million.

Purchases During Market Downturn

Tether made these purchases as Bitcoin prices declined throughout Q4 2025. During the quarter, Bitcoin dropped below $90,000 and ended the year down about 22% from the previous quarter. This price movement occurred alongside global financial tightening and uncertainty across the crypto market.

While many investors reduced exposure, Tether increased its reserves. The Q4 acquisition marked the third quarter in 2025 in which Tether moved around 8,888 BTC into its reserves. The repeated amounts suggest a quarterly strategy rather than reactive decisions.

Bitcoin Reserve Total and Market Position

Following the latest transactions, Tether’s Bitcoin reserve stands at 96,185 BTC. At current market rates, the value is estimated to be around $8.42 billion. The company’s average acquisition cost for its Bitcoin holdings is about $51,117. This gives Tether over $3.5 billion in unrealized profit based on current prices.

This reserve makes Tether the fifth-largest known holder of Bitcoin. Its reserve is larger than that of MARA Holdings, which holds about 53,250 BTC. However, Tether still holds less than Strategy, which reported 672,497 BTC as of the end of 2025.

Long-Term Strategy and Investment Approach

Tether began building its Bitcoin reserve in 2023 by allocating 15% of its net realized operating profits to the asset. The company has followed this approach consistently throughout 2025. Tether earned over $10 billion in net profits in the first three quarters of the year, mainly from the U.S. Treasury investments.

Public statements from the company describe Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset. Tether has positioned the accumulation as a hedge against broader systemic risks. Its strategy aligns more closely with traditional balance sheet management than speculative trading activity.

Tether’s continued Bitcoin purchases show a trend of infrastructure-focused players increasing exposure despite ongoing market volatility. While short-term price effects remain uncertain, the steady accumulation reflects a defined capital management plan.

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