Tether Taps Big Four Auditor for First Full Financial Audit, Targeting Institutional-Grade Transparency

Tether said it has hired a Big Four accounting firm to conduct its first full financial audit, a step the company described as the largest inaugural audit in financial history. The review will cover more than $184 billion in USDT in circulation and a reserve structure spanning digital assets, traditional holdings, and tokenized liabilities. The company framed the move as a shift beyond industry-standard attestations toward comprehensive, institutional-grade disclosure. Tether said the audit will provide detailed verification that USDT is fully backed, highly liquid, and governed by rigorous risk management controls. The engagement follows a competitive selection process in which audit firms assessed Tether’s systems, controls, and reporting over recent weeks. CEO Paolo Ardoino called the audit a "defining moment" for Tether and for the broader digital asset industry. Tether added it plans to reposition listed securities in the coming days as part of reserve optimization, with full visibility expected through the audit process. With more than 550 million users worldwide, the company said it aims to set a new benchmark for transparency and accountability in digital finance.