The post Tether Under Pressure After S&P Warns Its Bitcoin Holdings Raise Stability Risks appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Bitcoin Concerns about the composition of Tether’s reserves have resurfaced after S&P Global Ratings issued a downgrade targeting the backing of USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin. Key Takeaways S&P says Tether’s rising Bitcoin exposure increases sensitivity to market shocks. The agency now ranks the quality of USDT reserves as “weak,” not “constrained.” Tether disputes the verdict, insisting its balance sheet is overcapitalized and safer than legacy finance. Rather than questioning the peg itself, the agency highlighted the growing presence of volatile assets — particularly Bitcoin — inside the reserve mix. Why the Downgrade Happened S&P’s new assessment argues that the stablecoin issuer has moved further away from a conservative balance sheet. While Tether frequently promotes its holdings of U.S. Treasury bills, S&P says that the public reserves data paints a more complex picture that also includes corporate debt, secured loans, gold and a rapidly growing Bitcoin position. Analysts warned that if Bitcoin experiences a deep correction, the shift could meaningfully shrink the cushion protecting the peg — especially during moments of heightened redemptions. Rising Bitcoin Allocation Draws Most Scrutiny The latest transparency report from Tether revealed the biggest point of concern: the spike in Bitcoin holdings. The company now controls more than 87,700 BTC, representing 5.4% of reserves, compared to 3.6% previously. USDT’s circulating market value is around $184 billion, meaning sharp BTC drawdowns carry measurable collateral implications. S&P analysts Rebecca Mun and Mohamed Damak said that in extreme downside scenarios, USDT could temporarily become undercollateralized, not because of Treasury exposure, but because of high-volatility assets sitting beside them. Tether Rejects The Criticism Tether’s leadership does not share the agency’s view. Paolo Ardoino responded publicly, saying that the downgrade demonstrates hostility from traditional finance rather than an objective measurement of risk. He claimed that Tether’s war chest is “overcapitalized” and… The post Tether Under Pressure After S&P Warns Its Bitcoin Holdings Raise Stability Risks appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Bitcoin Concerns about the composition of Tether’s reserves have resurfaced after S&P Global Ratings issued a downgrade targeting the backing of USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin. Key Takeaways S&P says Tether’s rising Bitcoin exposure increases sensitivity to market shocks. The agency now ranks the quality of USDT reserves as “weak,” not “constrained.” Tether disputes the verdict, insisting its balance sheet is overcapitalized and safer than legacy finance. Rather than questioning the peg itself, the agency highlighted the growing presence of volatile assets — particularly Bitcoin — inside the reserve mix. Why the Downgrade Happened S&P’s new assessment argues that the stablecoin issuer has moved further away from a conservative balance sheet. While Tether frequently promotes its holdings of U.S. Treasury bills, S&P says that the public reserves data paints a more complex picture that also includes corporate debt, secured loans, gold and a rapidly growing Bitcoin position. Analysts warned that if Bitcoin experiences a deep correction, the shift could meaningfully shrink the cushion protecting the peg — especially during moments of heightened redemptions. Rising Bitcoin Allocation Draws Most Scrutiny The latest transparency report from Tether revealed the biggest point of concern: the spike in Bitcoin holdings. The company now controls more than 87,700 BTC, representing 5.4% of reserves, compared to 3.6% previously. USDT’s circulating market value is around $184 billion, meaning sharp BTC drawdowns carry measurable collateral implications. S&P analysts Rebecca Mun and Mohamed Damak said that in extreme downside scenarios, USDT could temporarily become undercollateralized, not because of Treasury exposure, but because of high-volatility assets sitting beside them. Tether Rejects The Criticism Tether’s leadership does not share the agency’s view. Paolo Ardoino responded publicly, saying that the downgrade demonstrates hostility from traditional finance rather than an objective measurement of risk. He claimed that Tether’s war chest is “overcapitalized” and…

Tether Under Pressure After S&P Warns Its Bitcoin Holdings Raise Stability Risks

For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at [email protected]
Bitcoin

Concerns about the composition of Tether’s reserves have resurfaced after S&P Global Ratings issued a downgrade targeting the backing of USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin.

Key Takeaways
  • S&P says Tether’s rising Bitcoin exposure increases sensitivity to market shocks.
  • The agency now ranks the quality of USDT reserves as “weak,” not “constrained.”
  • Tether disputes the verdict, insisting its balance sheet is overcapitalized and safer than legacy finance.

Rather than questioning the peg itself, the agency highlighted the growing presence of volatile assets — particularly Bitcoin — inside the reserve mix.

Why the Downgrade Happened

S&P’s new assessment argues that the stablecoin issuer has moved further away from a conservative balance sheet. While Tether frequently promotes its holdings of U.S. Treasury bills, S&P says that the public reserves data paints a more complex picture that also includes corporate debt, secured loans, gold and a rapidly growing Bitcoin position.

Analysts warned that if Bitcoin experiences a deep correction, the shift could meaningfully shrink the cushion protecting the peg — especially during moments of heightened redemptions.

Rising Bitcoin Allocation Draws Most Scrutiny

The latest transparency report from Tether revealed the biggest point of concern: the spike in Bitcoin holdings. The company now controls more than 87,700 BTC, representing 5.4% of reserves, compared to 3.6% previously. USDT’s circulating market value is around $184 billion, meaning sharp BTC drawdowns carry measurable collateral implications.

S&P analysts Rebecca Mun and Mohamed Damak said that in extreme downside scenarios, USDT could temporarily become undercollateralized, not because of Treasury exposure, but because of high-volatility assets sitting beside them.

Tether Rejects The Criticism

Tether’s leadership does not share the agency’s view. Paolo Ardoino responded publicly, saying that the downgrade demonstrates hostility from traditional finance rather than an objective measurement of risk. He claimed that Tether’s war chest is “overcapitalized” and free from the toxic debt typical of many legacy institutions that historically received high ratings before collapsing.

According to Ardoino, Tether remains one of the most profitable entities in the digital-asset industry and should be seen as proof that alternative financial structures can work without relying on legacy banking.

What Happens Next?

The downgrade does not force Tether to change its reserve structure, but it will likely intensify the push for full independent audits — something the company has not yet provided. Whether or not USDT faces redemption pressure will depend less on ratings and more on how Bitcoin performs during periods of macro turbulence.


The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Author

Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.

Related stories

Next article

Source: https://coindoo.com/tether-under-pressure-after-sp-warns-its-bitcoin-holdings-raise-stability-risks/

Market Opportunity
Notcoin Logo
Notcoin Price(NOT)
$0.0003724
$0.0003724$0.0003724
-2.43%
USD
Notcoin (NOT) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Supported by hike speculation and PMIs – Danske Bank

Supported by hike speculation and PMIs – Danske Bank

The post Supported by hike speculation and PMIs – Danske Bank appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Danske Research Team points out that the Euro was the second-
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/03/23 15:59
The geopolitics of anti-corruption as global advisory firms face debarment in the Horn of Africa

The geopolitics of anti-corruption as global advisory firms face debarment in the Horn of Africa

The World Bank’s debarment of PwC and EY for fraud in Ethiopia and Somalia has lifted the veil on the fragility of the Western development model, creating a strategic
Share
Theexchange2026/03/23 16:33
BitGo wins BaFIN nod to offer regulated crypto trading in Europe

BitGo wins BaFIN nod to offer regulated crypto trading in Europe

                                                                               BitGo’s move creates further competition in a burgeoning European crypto market that is expected to generate $26 billion revenue this year, according to one estimate.                     BitGo, a digital asset infrastructure company with more than $100 billion in assets under custody, has received an extension of its license from Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), enabling it to offer crypto services to European investors. The company said its local subsidiary, BitGo Europe, can now provide custody, staking, transfer, and trading services. Institutional clients will also have access to an over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk and multiple liquidity venues.The extension builds on BitGo’s previous Markets-in-Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license, also issued by BaFIN, and adds trading to the existing custody, transfer and staking services. BitGo acquired its initial MiCA license in May 2025, which allowed it to offer certain services to traditional institutions and crypto native companies in the European Union.Read more
Share
Coinstats2025/09/18 06:02