Key Takeaways
- Tether Investments purchased 78.4 million shares of Elemental, gaining significant exposure to gold royalties.
- The company now holds over 100,000 BTC, 80 tons of gold, and the gold-backed token XAUT.
- Tether has also invested in Shiga Digital and Orionx to expand stablecoin-powered services like remittances, FX, and treasury tools.
As stablecoins mature beyond their crypto-native roots, Tether is making a clear pivot toward asset-backed infrastructure.
Its latest investment signals growing interest in blending traditional commodities with blockchain-based finance as the company deepens its exposure to gold through a significant equity deal with a Canadian royalty firm.
Tether Buys Major Stake in Gold Royalty Firm
Tether Investments, part of the Tether Group, has acquired a significant stake in Elemental Altus Royalties, a Canadian-listed gold royalty company.
This move strengthens Tether’s broader strategy of integrating durable assets like gold and Bitcoin into its ecosystem to support a more resilient, decentralized financial infrastructure.
The company, led by Paolo Ardoino, acquired 78.4 million Elemental shares—around 31.9% of its capital—from La Mancha Investments in a private offshore deal.
The investment provides Tether with direct exposure to global gold production through Elemental’s royalty-based model, which avoids the operational risks of mining.
Tether also signed an option agreement with AlphaStream and its subsidiary Alpha 1 SPV, giving it the right, though not the obligation, to purchase 34.4 million more shares.
Building the Future of Digital Finance with Gold and Bitcoin
Tether’s growing exposure to “hard” assets includes over 100,000 BTC, nearly 80 tons of physical gold, and its gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAUT).
“Tether’s growing investments in gold and Bitcoin reflect our forward-looking strategy to build a more resilient and transparent financial system,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.
“Just as Bitcoin provides the ultimate decentralized hedge against monetary inflation, gold continues to be a time-tested store of value,” he said.
“By gaining exposure to a diversified portfolio of gold royalties through Elemental, we are strengthening the backing of our ecosystem while advancing Tether Gold and future commodity-backed digital assets. This is not just about investment—it’s about building financial infrastructure for the next century,” the Tether chief explained.
Elemental’s diversified royalty model offers passive exposure to global gold projects—fitting Tether’s aim to strengthen the backbone of asset-backed digital finance.
Tether may also explore closer collaboration with Elemental’s board and management, subject to regulatory approvals.
Other Recent Investments
Tether has also made two other strategic investments to expand stablecoin adoption in emerging markets, backing Shiga Digital in Africa and Orionx in Latin America.
Shiga Digital offers blockchain-based financial services—such as virtual accounts, OTC trading, treasury, and FX solutions—tailored to African businesses.
Powered by USD₮, the platform helps address long-standing challenges in cross-border payments and financial access, especially in sectors like oil and gas.
The partnership aims to bring stable, real-world financial tools to underserved users across the continent.
Tether also led the Series A round for Orionx, a Chilean crypto exchange with operations in Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico.
Orionx provides stablecoin-powered services for remittances, payment collection, and treasury management—vital tools in a region hit hard by inflation and limited banking access.
Giuseppe Ciccomascolo began his career as an investigative journalist in Italy, where he contributed to both local and national newspapers, focusing on various financial sectors.
Upon relocating to London, he worked as an analyst for Fitch's CapitalStructure and later as a Senior Reporter for Alliance News. In 2017, Giuseppe transitioned to covering cryptocurrency-related news, producing documentaries and articles on Bitcoin and other emerging digital currencies. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the academy for a cryptocurrency exchange website. Crypto remained his primary area of interest throughout his tenure as a writer for ThirdFloor.
