Tether Gold Launches on BNB Chain, Expanding Tokenized Gold Access

• Tether Gold (XAU₮) launches on BNB Chain, giving users easy digital access to real gold.
• XAU₮ leads the $4B tokenized gold market, tradable across 12+ blockchains instantly.
• Tether boosts transparency with a Big Four audit while emphasizing strict backing standards.

Tether has launched Tether Gold (XAU₮) on BNB Chain, letting people hold digital tokens backed by real gold. The move comes after gold rose 64% in 2025, its biggest gain in 40 years. Each token represents one troy ounce of gold stored in Swiss vaults, with independent verification. 

The BNB Chain listing lets both everyday and institutional investors access physical gold through a single digital platform. Trading gold used to involve custodians, delays in settlement, and extra costs. “People understand gold. They trust it because it has held value for millennia,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. “With XAU₮, we are not changing what gold is; we are making it usable in a modern financial system.”

Bridging Gold and Digital Assets

XAU₮ now leads the tokenized gold market, holding about 60% of a $4 billion market. The token works across more than 12 blockchains through Tether’s USDt system. This setup lets users move, settle, and trade gold instantly, without middlemen. 

Nina Rong, BNB Chain’s Executive Director of Growth, said, “It gives users a trusted, gold-backed asset they can use across DeFi without friction.” The listing also strengthens BNB Chain’s real-world asset ecosystem, supporting broader DeFi use.

Tether is also boosting transparency with a full Big Four audit. The review covers Tether Gold reserves and tokenized liabilities, in addition to USDT. CFO Simon McWilliams said, “The audit will be delivered because the organization is already operating at Big Four audit standards.” This gives investors a clearer picture of how the gold is backed and managed.

Compliance and Industry Oversight

Separately, Tether and Cycle froze an Ethereum wallet linked to the Iranian exchange Wallex that held about $117,000 in stablecoins. On-chain data shows the funds have not moved, indicating a coordinated enforcement effort. The freeze also highlights the caution major stablecoin issuers are taking regarding regulatory rules.

With XAU₮ now on BNB Chain, Tether lets people trade physical gold instantly while keeping strict backing rules. The move narrows the gap between big institutional holders and everyday investors, giving more people direct access to gold through digital platforms.

Related: Tether Hires Big Four Firm for First Full USDT Reserve Audit