by Vincent Muthee
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has pointed to three assets he believes can withstand turbulence. Among them, he named Bitcoin, gold, and land. His message stands out as it arrives at a time when investor optimism in traditional markets is fading.
In fact, investors are now waiting for next week’s Fed meeting, where the agency will decide between a 0.25% or 0.5% rate cut. The decision underscores just how divided the economic outlook has become. Against that backdrop, Ardoino’s warning about “incoming darker times” has gained traction.
Ardoino Puts Bitcoin on Level with Gold
In a post published Tuesday, Ardoino wrote: “Bitcoin, Gold and Land are the hedge against incoming darker times.” For Tether’s CEO, this is more than a passing remark. By grouping Bitcoin with assets traditionally associated with safety, Ardoino is pushing the narrative that crypto, especially BTC, is no longer speculative but part of a defensive toolkit.
Bitcoin, Gold and Land are the hedge against incoming darker times.
— Paolo Ardoino
(@paoloardoino) September 9, 2025
Ardoino’s framing is timely as global uncertainty rises. Gold, which reached a new all-time high (ATH) above $3,650 earlier today, has been a store of value. Land, on the other hand, has always been a symbol of wealth conservation. Thus, the fact that Bitcoin has finally found its place in the same category is a strong indication that it is no longer viewed as an experimental asset.
Inclusion of Land ‘Land’ Spark Debate
Ardoino’s inclusion of land stirred immediate debate online. Users questioned what kind of land would qualify as a true hedge. One user by the handle IamCaesar asked: “ Paolo, when you say land do you mean ONLY farming/agricultural land?”
Another user, going by the pseudonym ‘Jared not Jerry’, countered with a different view, writing: “revenue generating land… let’s not think owning the house you live in will protect you.”
The discussion reflects a broader question about how investors should interpret Ardoino’s remark. Unlike gold and Bitcoin, which are liquid and easily tradable, land comes in many forms – agricultural, residential, or commercial. Each category has different risks, liquidity challenges, and potential returns. For many, the ambiguity in Ardoino’s statement raises as many questions as it answers.
But Where Does Tether Stand?
While Ardoino’s message was directed at investors broadly, Tether itself has already taken steps that align with his “hedge” playbook. By June 30, 2025, the issuer of USDT, reported total assets of $162.57 billion. The U.S Treasuries had a high share of $105.5 billion. Tether also reported that it spent $8.72 billion on precious metals and $8.93 on Bitcoin.
Tether just released its quarterly attestation for Q2 2025.
Highlights as of 30th June 2025:
* 157.1B total issued USDt, end of Q2 2025.
* 162.5B total assets/reserves, end of Q2 2025.
* 5.47B excess reserves, on top of the 100% reserves in liquid assets that back all issued… https://t.co/bejhVFkMYt pic.twitter.com/XYVmueWZ0G— Paolo Ardoino
This composition shows a move to stop depending on cash or cash equivalents only. By diversifying to gold and Bitcoin, Tether has adopted an approach consistent with Ardoino’s statements. The fact that the firm added Bitcoin to its balance sheet highlights the belief in the functionality of crypto as a store of value in times of uncertainty.
Tether’s actions reveal that what Ardoino is saying is not mere rhetoric. The firm has invested physical resources into the same assets he emphasized as being able to shield against “dark times”.
#blockchain #crypto, #decentralized, #distributed, #ledger
