Tether Gold is launched on the BNB Chain, expanding access to tokenized gold

Tether has launched Tether Gold (XAU₮) on the BNB blockchain, allowing individuals to hold digital tokens backed by real gold. This move comes after gold prices increased by 64% in 2025, the largest increase in 40 years. Each token represents one ounce of pure gold stored in vaults in Switzerland, with independent verification.
The listing on BNB Chain allows both individual and institutional investors to access physical gold through a single digital platform. Trading gold previously often involved custodians, payment delays, and additional costs. “People understand gold. They trust it because it has retained value for millennia,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. “With XAU₮, we are not changing the nature of gold; we are making it usable in a modern financial system.”
Connecting Gold and Digital Assets
XAU₮ is currently leading the tokenized gold market, holding about 60% of the $4 billion market. This token operates on over 12 blockchains through Tether’s USDt system. This setup allows users to transfer, pay, and trade gold instantly, without intermediaries.
Nina Rong, Growth Executive at BNB Chain, stated, “This provides users with a reliable asset, backed by gold that they can use across DeFi without obstacles.” The listing also strengthens the real asset ecosystem of BNB Chain, supporting broader DeFi usage.
Tether is also enhancing transparency with a comprehensive audit by a Big Four firm. The audit includes Tether Gold reserves and liabilities beyond USDT. CFO Simon McWilliams said, “The audit will be conducted as the organization has operated under the auditing standards of a Big Four firm.” This provides investors with clearer insights into how gold is secured and managed.
Compliance and Industry Oversight
Additionally, Tether and Cycle have frozen an Ethereum wallet linked to Iran’s Wallex exchange, containing approximately $117,000 in stablecoin. On-chain data shows that these funds have not been moved, indicating a coordinated enforcement effort. This freeze also highlights the caution that major stablecoin issuers are taking regarding regulatory compliance.
With XAU₮ now available on the BNB chain, Tether enables individuals to trade physical gold instantly while maintaining strict collateral rules. This move bridges the gap between large institutional investors and individual investors, allowing more people direct access to gold through digital platforms.