Stablecoin issuer Tether announced on Wednesday its plans to pursue a new investment strategy centered around the world’s largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC). The company has decided to allocate up to 15% of its realized earnings from investments for the acquisition of BTC, which will then be added to its reserve surplus. However, this calculation does not take into account any unrealized price appreciation of Tether’s reserve assets.
While some may argue this move strengthens and diversifies Tether’s reserves, others might be skeptical about the crypto giant’s decision to self-custody its Bitcoin holdings. According to the firm, Tether believes in the philosophy “Not your keys, not your bitcoin,” and will take possession of the private keys associated with its holdings.
This announcement follows Tether’s recent report of a net profit of $1.5 billion for the first quarter, which amounted to approximately 2% of its reserves. The majority of this profit (about 85%) was kept in cash, cash equivalents, and other short-term deposits, mainly in the form of Treasury bills. Assuming the net profit remains consistent, the company is expected to purchase an estimated 2775 BTC—or roughly 74 million USD—each month going forward.
Tether has already committed to making regular Bitcoin purchases in order to further enhance its holdings, with the acquisition process set to commence this month. However, the issuer anticipates their current and future BTC holdings won’t exceed the Shareholder Capital Cushion, which is an encouraging indicator for Tether supporters.
Additionally, Tether considers Bitcoin an excellent investment opportunity due to its remarkable returns over the past decade and its proven reputation as a long-term store of value. Having increased in value by approximately 22,000% over the past ten years, the price of Bitcoin is currently hovering around $26,681, representing a 1.14% drop during the past 24 hours.
While Tether’s bold move to invest in the cryptocurrency market is undoubtedly drawing attention, questions remain over the wisdom of self-custody for such a large organization. As with any investment strategy, only time will tell if Tether’s actions will prove fruitful or if unforeseen circumstances will impact their newfound approach.
In conclusion, Tether’s decision to regularly purchase Bitcoin and enhance its holdings demonstrates the company’s confidence in the cryptocurrency’s ongoing success and growth. As the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology continues to evolve, interested parties should remember the importance of staying well-informed about market developments and performing market research before investing.
Source: Coingape
