Tether has extended the reach of its gold-backed token, XAUt, by launching it on BNB Chain. This move comes alongside spot trading support on the Binance exchange, allowing users to trade XAUt against pairs including USDT, BTC, USDC, TRY, and U. The integration connects tokenized physical gold with one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency trading ecosystems, as gold trading increasingly blends with decentralized markets.
XAUt Launches On BNB Chain And Binance
XAUt represents digital tokens fully backed by vaulted gold, with every XAUt unit corresponding to one troy ounce of physical bullion held in Swiss facilities. Tether, the company behind the largest U.S. dollar stablecoin, created XAUt to provide direct blockchain exposure to gold. Following the BNB Chain deployment, Binance, a leading global crypto exchange, enabled spot trading of XAUt across several major crypto and fiat pairs, broadening access for a diverse trader base.
The listing synchronizes with increased demand for alternative stores of value, as both retail and institutional participants explore tokenized commodities within their portfolios. This launch is designed to streamline the process for users seeking diversification through onchain gold assets, without leaving widely used trading environments.
Tokenized Gold Market Grows As Volatility Lingers
With a market capitalization close to $3.2 billion, XAUt is linked to approximately 1,800 gold bars stored in Swiss vaults. The token commands about 60% share of the gold-backed stablecoin sector. BNB Chain, which now supports XAUt, is recognized as a leading blockchain in the rapidly expanding real-world asset (RWA) segment, second only to Ethereum in terms of distributed RWA value.
Recent market turbulence has refocused attention on gold assets. Spot prices for the metal reached $5,595 per ounce in January, propelled by increased geopolitical risk. However, prices reversed rapidly, falling to around $4,450 by March 26—a 15% decline since escalations between Iran and other forces began on February 28. Growing oil prices, persistent inflation, and currency strength pressured gold further.
Major crypto exchanges have responded by broadening offerings tied to gold. Crypto.com, another prominent trading platform, confirmed availability of perpetual contracts for tokenized gold alongside spot trading for XAUt and PAXG tokens. These products provide leveraged exposure and allow users to engage with bullion price swings directly through digital assets.
Such developments highlight ongoing convergence between traditional commodities and decentralized blockchain products. The ability to switch between gold and cryptocurrencies inside a unified trading environment appeals to both speculative traders and those seeking real-world asset exposure with faster settlement times.
Tether Chief Executive Officer Paolo Ardoino emphasized the practical application of bringing XAUt to BNB Chain, describing the rollout as a measure aimed at making gold a more dynamic asset in digital finance. Both the chain launch and Binance’s spot trading activation occurred simultaneously, maximizing the immediate impact for the trading community.
