- Tether diversifies beyond crypto with a $100M investment, acquiring 9.8% of Latin American farming giant Adecoagro.
- Tether expands into agriculture, green energy, and AI, signaling a strategic shift away from its crypto-only operations.
- Tether introduces gold-backed aUSDT stablecoin, choosing gold’s stability over Bitcoin for short-term collateralization.
A Latin American agro leader has been acquired by Tether, the issuer of global stablecoin through its largest holding USDT. Tether is extending its balance sheet beyond cryptocurrency; the next asset class will be acquiring interests in food and farming with a $100 million investment. For milking clowns with sugarcane, Adecoagro is a well-known brand in Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina. About 193,000 hectares are under its control for sugarcane.
Tether’s Strategic Move into Agriculture
Besides its venture into agriculture, Tether has been expanding into other sectors like green energy and artificial intelligence. This diversification move into agriculture aligns with its aim to secure its position across multiple industries. According to Tether, cash from its own working capital was used for the acquisition. Consequently, the company now holds 10,048,249 Adecoagro shares.
Another change was Tether’s launch of aUSDT, a new stablecoin guaranteed by Tether Gold (XAUT) and backed by gold. Compared to Bitcoin, an investment known for its extreme price volatility, gold is a more reliable option.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized that gold’s reliability makes it a better short-term choice for collateralizing the USDT. Additionally, the decision to choose gold over Bitcoin highlights Tether’s commitment to ensuring the stability of its new synthetic dollar amidst fluctuating crypto markets.
New Gold-Backed Stablecoin and Future Ventures
The United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) will serve as the foundation for a new stablecoin that Tether plans to present. Tether is solidifying its place in the stablecoin market with this endeavour, despite growing competition from rivals like PayPal and Ripple. Green Acorn Investments and Phoenix Group worked together on it.
With stablecoin market capitalization reaching $118 billion in August 2024, Tether’s strategic investments, including its recent acquisition in Adecoagro, signal its intent to maintain dominance in both the crypto and traditional sectors. These ventures highlight the company’s drive to innovate and diversify its business operations beyond the digital asset.
