Tether Launches Scudo for Simplified Gold Transactions on Blockchain

Tether has unveiled Scudo, a novel unit of account for its Tether Gold (XAU₮) token, as announced on January 6, 2026. This initiative aims to reinstate gold as a practical means of payment, making it more accessible amid soaring global interest and record-high prices, according to Tether.

Gold’s Rising Prominence

In 2025, gold prices surged to unprecedented levels due to inflation concerns, interest-rate uncertainties, and increased demand for safe-haven assets. This trend has been further fueled by substantial central bank purchases, prompting many investors to turn to gold for preserving purchasing power.

Tether Gold (XAU₮) has already digitized physical gold, offering a groundbreaking solution in today’s fast-paced digital economy. Complementing this, Tether has introduced the WDK technology layer, enabling developers and companies to create self-custodial wallets that support XAU₮, various stablecoins, and Bitcoin across multiple platforms.

Introducing Scudo

Scudo addresses the challenge of using gold for everyday transactions by introducing a simpler unit of account. This unit, akin to Bitcoin’s “Satoshi,” is defined as one-thousandth of a troy ounce of gold. This simplification facilitates clearer pricing and easier transactions, allowing users to engage in everyday commerce with gold-backed value.

The introduction of Scudo enhances the usability of gold, transforming it from a mere store of value to a practical medium of exchange. Goods and services can now be priced in Scudo, making gold more accessible in daily economic activities.

Strategic Implications

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, highlighted that Scudo lowers the entry barrier for owning and transacting with gold, making it easier for users to manage even small fractions of this historically trusted asset. Tether Gold remains fully backed by physical gold, with ownership verifiable on-chain.

This move aligns with Tether’s broader strategy to modernize access to traditional assets via blockchain infrastructure, making gold more inclusive and usable in the digital economy. The introduction of Scudo does not alter the backing of XAU₮ but simplifies the way gold value is measured and transacted.

As of December 2025, Tether Gold has seen a significant increase in adoption among individuals seeking long-term wealth preservation and portfolio diversification, with its market cap doubling in a short span. This reflects a growing trend of investors seeking exposure to gold without traditional storage and custodial complexities.

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