Key Highlights
- XAUT launches on BNB Chain, expanding access to tokenized gold trading.
- Each token remains backed 1:1 by physical gold stored in Swiss vaults.
- The integration focuses on liquidity, interoperability, and DeFi usability.
Tether, the issuer of USDT, has extended its gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAUT), to BNB Chain, adding another access point for trading tokenized commodities within crypto markets.
The move, announced on Thursday, places a physically backed gold asset directly within a widely used blockchain ecosystem, allowing users to gain exposure without relying on traditional commodity infrastructure.
Bridging physical gold and digital markets
Each XAUT token represents one troy ounce of physical gold stored in Swiss vaults, meeting London Good Delivery standards. The structure allows users to hold and transfer gold exposure digitally, without dealing with custody, logistics, or settlement delays tied to physical markets.
By integrating with BNB Chain, the token becomes accessible through wallets and decentralized applications commonly used for crypto trading, narrowing the gap between traditional safe-haven assets and onchain liquidity.
Growth of tokenized gold market
Tokenized gold has expanded rapidly alongside broader interest in real-world assets on blockchain. Market size grew significantly in 2025, with XAUT accounting for a large share of supply.
The addition of another blockchain network is aimed at improving accessibility and liquidity, particularly as more users interact with tokenized assets through decentralized finance platforms rather than traditional brokers.
Focus on liquidity and interoperability
The rollout also connects XAUT to a broader cross-chain infrastructure designed to move assets between multiple networks. This setup is intended to support smoother transfers, settlement, and trading activity across different platforms.
Rather than introducing a new asset, the update focuses on distribution, placing an existing product into more active trading environments. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino commented on the development, stating, “With XAU₮, we are not changing what gold is; we are making it usable in a modern financial system. You still have direct exposure to physical gold, but now it can move instantly, settle globally, and integrate seamlessly with digital markets.”
He added, “Listing on BNB Chain expands that access to hundreds of millions of users, bringing gold into a system where it can actually be used, not just held.”
Audit move signals broader transparency push
Alongside expanding tokenized gold access, Tether has also taken steps to strengthen financial disclosure. The company confirmed it has engaged a Big Four accounting firm to conduct its first full independent audit.
The review is expected to go beyond the reserve attestations typically used in the stablecoin sector, covering financial statements, internal controls, and reporting systems. Unlike attestations, which provide point-in-time snapshots, a full audit examines financial reporting more comprehensively.
Gold as a digital trading asset
Gold has historically been viewed as a store of value, especially during periods of market uncertainty. Bringing it onchain allows it to function not just as a passive holding, but as an asset that can be transferred, traded, or used within digital financial systems.
The expansion reflects a broader shift where traditional assets are increasingly being adapted for blockchain-based markets.
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