Tether Gold debuts on Ledn: a new era for loans backed by digital gold

Tether, one of the largest private holders of gold in the world, is taking a historic step: its 23 billion dollars in gold bars now become collateral for loans on the Ledn platform. This development marks the beginning of a new era, in which physical gold, through the tokenized version Tether Gold (XAU₮), fully enters the world of digital financial services, alongside bitcoin and the stablecoins USD₮ and USA₮.

Ledn: security and transparency since 2018

Founded in 2018, Ledn has established itself as a leading platform for loans backed by bitcoin, with over 10 billion dollars in loans issued and a presence in more than 100 countries. Its operating model is based on a key principle: all client collateral is held on a one-to-one basis, is never lent to third parties, and is not used to generate yields. This discipline has allowed Ledn to weather the crises that have hit other players in the sector, ensuring maximum security for users.

XAU₮: physical gold goes digital

Tether Gold (XAU₮) represents a true innovation: each token corresponds to one troy ounce of physical gold stored in Swiss vaults. The token is divisible, transferable in a few seconds, and maintains all the security and transparency features required by investors. Thanks to XAU₮, gold – long considered the ultimate safe-haven asset – is finally integrated into the digital infrastructures that have already revolutionized the lending sector with bitcoin.

A twenty-trillion-dollar asset

Gold, with a global value estimated at twenty trillion dollars, is the oldest tool for preserving value. However, until now, the possibility of obtaining liquidity without selling gold has remained a privilege reserved for financial institutions, such as central banks and specialized desks. For most private investors, the only option was to sell. Now, thanks to XAU₮ on Ledn, even small holders can obtain loans backed by their gold, without giving up ownership of the asset.

How loans with XAU₮ work

The loan model on Ledn does not change with the introduction of XAU₮: users can deposit digital gold as collateral and receive a loan disbursed in USD₮ or USA₮, Tether’s stablecoins. Repayment is flexible: no mandatory monthly installments and the possibility to repay the loan at any time. The collateral always remains in secure custody, without ever being lent out or used for other purposes.

Equal treatment with bitcoin

As Adam Reeds, co-founder of Ledn, emphasizes, “bitcoin remains at the center of our clients’ growth strategies. Gold stands alongside it as an additional solid asset, applying the same logic of value preservation.” The addition of XAU₮, USD₮ and USA₮ was only possible after a rigorous selection process, which ensures compliance with the platform’s high standards of security and transparency.

Security and transparency: the pillars of Ledn

Ledn stands out for its prudent and transparent approach: client assets are never used to generate interest or to finance business activities. The “held, not lent” model was crucial in overcoming the 2022 crises that overwhelmed other operators in the sector. In addition, Ledn’s products are subject to external evaluations: the platform’s bitcoin-backed note has received a BBB- rating from S&P Global, attesting to the reliability of its operating model.

Expansion of services: where they are available

The new products with XAU₮ are available immediately in many of the jurisdictions where Ledn operates, with the current exception of Canada and the European Union. The company is working to extend availability to an ever-growing number of countries, responding to the increasing demand for solutions that combine financial flexibility with wealth protection.

The growing role of digital assets

As Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, emphasizes, “With the growing importance of digital assets in the global economy, demand is also increasing for solutions that combine long-term ownership with financial flexibility. The addition of XAU₮, USD₮ and USA₮ expands these opportunities and reflects the increasingly central role of digital assets in modern financial markets.”

Ledn: a benchmark for loans backed by digital assets

Since 2018, Ledn has established itself as a reference platform for those who want to access liquidity without selling bitcoin. The introduction of Tether Gold represents a natural evolution, bringing gold as well – the ultimate safe-haven asset – onto the same digital infrastructures that have already revolutionized the lending sector. With a transparent, secure, and disciplined operating model, Ledn continues to innovate, offering clients new opportunities to enhance the value of their assets without compromise.

For more information on the new products and how to access them, you can visit the official ledn.io website.