Crypto-asset tokens: an alternative investment option in the face of digital market volatility

Since the beginning of 2025, the gold market has experienced remarkable momentum, reaching historic highs beyond $4,000 per ounce, representing a 60% increase in just a few months. Meanwhile, digital assets like Bitcoin have shown less impressive performance with a 5% contraction over the same period. This divergence in returns raises a crucial question for investment portfolios: how to explore the potential of gold without the constraints of physical storage?

Tether Gold (XAUT): The gold-backed crypto gaining ground

This is precisely the question that Tether Gold (XAUT) answers, a tokenized instrument that bridges the blockchain world with the precious metals market. Each unit of XAUT represents one fine troy ounce of gold, securely stored and accessible via the Ethereum blockchain. This approach offers investors instant liquidity and the ability to trade gold with the ease inherent in crypto environments, without having to manage the logistical complexities of physical storage.

The market capitalization of the token has reached $2.39 billion according to the latest available data, while Tether maintains approximately 116 tons of gold in reserves. However, this architecture introduces an important dimension to consider: dependence on the issuer for maintaining reserves and guaranteeing buyback of the tokens. Investors should therefore assess the counterparty risk inherent in this model.

Gold market outlook in 2026

Market analysts converge on an optimistic outlook for gold prices in the coming year. CoinCodex anticipates a rise to $6,400 per ounce, while leading institutions like Goldman Sachs and other internationally reputable banks forecast surpassing the $5,000 mark. These forecasts are based on several catalysts: sustained demand from central banks for foreign exchange reserves and the low-interest-rate environment that makes non-yielding assets more attractive.

Crypto gold versus traditional digital assets

The rising prominence of gold-backed cryptocurrencies contrasts with the more volatile performance of purely digital assets. While Bitcoin is undergoing a consolidation phase, gold crypto tokens offer relative stability while benefiting from blockchain technology advantages. For investors seeking exposure to gold’s safe haven value combined with the flexibility of digital markets, this asset class presents a strategic avenue worth further exploration.