Tether Gold (XAU₮) is a stablecoin that provides ownership on a 1:1 basis of one fine troy ounce of gold on a physical bar of gold that meets the Good Delivery standard of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). This technology allows access to a stablecoin that provides ownership of physical gold while avoiding the drawbacks associated with physical gold, such as high storage cost and limited accessibility. Note: XAU₮ tokens can be fractionated up to six decimal places (i.e. in increments as small as 0.000001 troy fine ounce).

Tether Gold

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has warned that major AI companies are spending unsustainably on infrastructure, arguing that their current economic model puts margins under serious pressure. The comments position Ardoino as a vocal critic of the capital-intensive approach dominating the AI industry.
<h2>What Paolo Ardoino Said About AI Infrastructure Spending</h2>
Ardoino, who leads the company behind the USDT stablecoin, posted his concerns on X, stating that AI giants are pouring capital into compute infrastructure at a pace that may not be justified by returns. The warning centers on the idea that subsidizing access to AI compute creates structural risks for the companies involved. For related coverage, see <a href="https://www.tokentopnews.com/tether-launches-tether-wallet-self-custodial-wallet-bitcoin-usdt-gold/">Tether Launches tether.wallet for Bitcoin, USDT and Gold</a>.
Multiple crypto news outlets <a href="https://phemex.com/news/article/tether-ceo-warns-of-structural-risks-in-ai-giants-subsidy-model-91805" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported on the statement</a>, framing it as a business-model critique rather than a technical objection. Ardoino&#8217;s argument focuses on margin sustainability, suggesting that current spending levels require either massive future revenue growth or eventual cutbacks. For related coverage, see <a href="https://www.tokentopnews.com/500-million-usdt-transferred-binance-to-tether-treasury-2/">500M USDT Transferred From Binance to Tether Treasury</a>.
It is worth noting that the full text of Ardoino&#8217;s remarks has not been independently verified beyond what was shared on his <a href="https://x.com/paoloardoino/status/2071499309044969478" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X account</a>. The core claim, that AI infrastructure spending is outpacing viable business models, reflects a broader debate that has gained traction among technology executives in 2026. For related coverage, see <a href="https://www.tokentopnews.com/tether-turkish-authorities-freeze-crypto-assets/">Tether Helps Freeze $544M in Illegal Crypto Assets</a>.
<h2>Why Tether Is Part of the Conversation Around AI Build-Out</h2>
Ardoino&#8217;s commentary carries additional context because Tether itself has been expanding into AI-adjacent products. The company launched what it calls the <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-launches-qvac-sdk-as-the-ai-universal-building-block-that-runs-trains-and-evolves-intelligence-across-any-device-and-platform/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QVAC SDK</a>, described as a universal building block for running and training AI models across devices.
This positioning means Ardoino is not commenting as an outside observer. Tether appears to be building tools that compete with or complement centralized AI infrastructure, which gives his criticism of big-spend models a competitive dimension. The company has also made significant moves in its core stablecoin business, including a <a href="https://www.tokentopnews.com/tether-anchorage-digital-investment/">$100 million investment in Anchorage Digital</a> and the <a href="https://www.tokentopnews.com/tether-launches-self-custodial-tether-wallet-for-end-users/">launch of a self-custodial wallet</a>.
Tether&#8217;s diversification strategy suggests the company views decentralized compute as a growth area. Ardoino&#8217;s warning about centralized AI spending aligns with that strategic direction, positioning edge computing and distributed inference as alternatives to the data-center-heavy approach taken by the largest AI firms.
<h2>What the Warning Suggests About the AI Business Model Debate</h2>
The tension Ardoino identifies is straightforward: AI companies are spending heavily on GPU clusters, power infrastructure, and data centers while offering compute at rates that may not cover long-term costs. If revenue growth does not catch up, these companies face either margin compression or service price increases that could slow adoption.
The research available does not confirm any direct market reaction in crypto assets following Ardoino&#8217;s statement. Neither Bitcoin nor Ethereum showed measurable moves attributable to his comments, and USDT treasury flows continued their normal patterns.
The practical takeaway for the crypto industry is narrow but relevant. If Ardoino&#8217;s thesis gains traction among other executives, it could accelerate interest in decentralized compute networks and edge AI solutions, areas where blockchain-native companies like Tether are already positioning themselves. Whether more industry leaders echo this concern will determine if the warning becomes a turning point or remains an isolated opinion.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.

Paolo Ardoino AI Spending Warning and Tether Context

Tether has ceased issuance of aUSDT, its gold-backed stablecoin built on the Alloy by Tether platform, marking a notable shift in the company&#8217;s product strategy as it continues to expand its core Tether Gold (XAU&#8372;) offerings.
The move means Tether will no longer mint new aUSDT tokens. Existing holders may still interact with the token on secondary markets, but the halt in new issuance signals a deliberate wind-down of the product. <a href="https://cryptobriefing.com/tether-winds-down-ausd-stablecoin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crypto Briefing reported</a> on Tether&#8217;s decision to wind down the aUSDT stablecoin, confirming the cessation is a company-led decision rather than a response to external pressure.
<h2>What aUSDT Was and Why Issuance Has Stopped</h2>
aUSDT was a dollar-pegged stablecoin backed not by fiat reserves but by Tether Gold (XAU&#8372;), Tether&#8217;s tokenized gold product. It launched as part of the <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-announces-launch-of-alloy-by-tether-a-new-digital-asset-backed-by-tether-gold/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alloy by Tether platform</a>, which allowed users to create synthetic dollar-denominated assets collateralized by gold tokens.
The distinction matters. Unlike USDT, which is backed by cash, cash equivalents, and other reserves, aUSDT derived its value from the price of gold through an over-collateralization mechanism. Ceasing issuance means no new aUSDT will be created, though it does not necessarily indicate that redemption or other support functions have been terminated.
Tether has not publicly detailed its reasons for ending aUSDT issuance. Without an official statement outlining the rationale, any explanation for the timing or motivation remains speculative.
<h2>Tether Gold Continues to Grow Despite aUSDT Wind-Down</h2>
The aUSDT halt does not appear to reflect a retreat from gold-backed digital assets broadly. Tether&#8217;s core gold product, XAU&#8372;, has been on an upward trajectory. According to Tether, its gold-backed token <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-gold-accounts-for-more-than-half-the-entire-gold-backed-stablecoin-market-as-xaut-surpasses-4-billion-in-value/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accounts for more than half of the entire gold-backed stablecoin market, with XAU&#8372; surpassing $4 billion in value</a>.
That growth suggests Tether sees stronger demand for direct gold exposure through XAU&#8372; than for the synthetic dollar construct that aUSDT represented. The two products served different purposes: XAU&#8372; tracks gold prices directly, while aUSDT attempted to offer dollar stability using gold as collateral.
For holders currently using aUSDT, the key questions involve redemption timelines, collateral release procedures, and whether exchanges that listed aUSDT will establish their own wind-down schedules. None of these details have been separately confirmed at this time.
<h2>What to Watch Next</h2>
Readers tracking this development should monitor several specific items. First, any official Tether announcement clarifying the redemption process for outstanding aUSDT tokens. Second, exchange-level communications about delisting timelines or conversion options.
The broader gold-backed stablecoin market, including developments in <a href="/zama-morpho-steakhouse-defi-yield-vault-ethereum/">DeFi yield infrastructure on Ethereum</a>, may see shifts as one fewer product competes for user attention in the space. Meanwhile, <a href="/moodys-expands-token-integration-engine-solana/">institutional token integration efforts</a> across multiple chains continue to reshape how traditional assets like gold interact with blockchain infrastructure.
The regulatory environment for stablecoins is also evolving rapidly, with <a href="/congressman-nick-begich-introduces-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-bill/">legislative proposals in the U.S.</a> increasingly focused on reserve transparency and asset-backing requirements. Whether regulatory considerations played any role in Tether&#8217;s decision to end aUSDT issuance remains unconfirmed.
For now, the confirmed fact is narrow but significant: Tether has stopped issuing aUSDT. The company&#8217;s gold-backed ambitions appear intact through XAU&#8372;, but the synthetic dollar experiment built on top of that gold has ended.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.

Tether Ceases Issuance of Gold-Backed Stablecoin aUSDT

Dubai, UAE, June 9th, 2026, Chainwire

<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.bybit.com/en/press">Bybit</a>, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has launched a new season of its <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://bybit.com/daily-treasure-hunt">Daily Treasure Hunt</a> campaign, introducing football match tickets and XAUT rewards while offering eligible participants the opportunity to earn a share of 300,000 USDT in daily rewards through trading and platform engagement activities.
As the latest edition of Bybit&#8217;s ongoing Daily Treasure Hunt rewards program, the campaign encourages users to earn points through everyday activities across the platform, including trading, exploring products and participating in special missions. This season features an expanded rewards pool, with football match tickets and XAUT airdrop rewards worth up to 100 USDT added to the Scratch Card prize pool. XAUT airdrop rewards have also been introduced to the redemption pool, providing participants with additional opportunities to earn rewards throughout the campaign.
Participants can accumulate points by completing daily trading tasks, engagement activities and limited-time missions. Trading tasks begin with as little as 10 USDT in trading volume, while additional points can be earned through interactions with Bybit products, events and features. Users may also accelerate their point accumulation by completing special missions tied to new product offerings.
Points can be redeemed for scratch cards at a rate of 50 points per draw. The campaign will make up to 1 million scratch cards available, giving participants opportunities to win a variety of rewards, including football match tickets, USDT rewards and XAUT airdrops. Individual scratch cards may award prizes worth up to 1,000 USDT, subject to availability.
In addition to scratch card prizes, participants can redeem points for rewards including Boost Coupons, VIP Trial Passes, USDT airdrops and XAUT airdrop rewards worth up to 100 USDT. Reward redemptions begin at 300 points.
The campaign&#8217;s pre-registration period will run from June 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. UTC to June 9, 2026, at 9:59 a.m. UTC. The event period will take place from June 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. UTC to July 14, 2026, at 9:59 a.m. UTC, followed by a redemption period from July 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. UTC to July 17, 2026, at 9:59 a.m. UTC.
Logged-in users who visit the event page during the registration period will be automatically enrolled in the campaign. Points earned throughout the event will continue to accumulate and will not reset. Any unused points remaining after the redemption period ends will expire.
Participation is open to users who have completed Individual Identity Verification Level 1 or Business Verification and who reside in eligible jurisdictions. Subaccounts, market makers, institutional users, VIP users and Pro users are not eligible to participate. The campaign is also unavailable to users residing in the European Economic Area.
#Bybit / #NewFinancialPlatform  
About Bybit
<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.bybit.com/en/press">Bybit</a> is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://bybit.com/">Bybit.com</a>.
For more details about Bybit, please visit <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.bybit.com/en/press">Bybit Press</a>
For media inquiries, please contact: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="mailto:media@bybit.com">media@bybit.com</a>
For updates, please follow: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.bybit.com/en-us/promo/global/communities/">Bybit&#8217;s Communities and Social Media</a> 
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<h5>Contact</h5>
Head of PR Tony Au Bybit media@bybit.com 
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Disclaimer: The material in this press release is published as submitted and is not an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any asset.

What is Tether Gold?

TokenTopNews coverage for Tether Gold

Paolo Ardoino AI Spending Warning and Tether Context

Tether Ceases Issuance of Gold-Backed Stablecoin aUSDT

Bybit Launches New Daily Treasure Hunt Season Featuring Football Match Tickets and XAUT Rewards