Tether Gold has been recognized as an Accepted Spot Commodity in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), opening a regulated route for eligible financial firms to offer services involving the gold-backed token.
Tether said firms operating in ADGM can offer services involving XAUT only after securing the required regulatory permissions and approval to deal in Accepted Spot Commodities, meaning the recognition does not automatically allow every company in the financial center to provide access to the token.
Tether expands its position in the UAE
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the move would expand regulated access to gold-backed tokens and support tokenized assets in the Middle East, while ADGM said it would widen product choice in Abu Dhabi’s digital asset market.
The move builds on ADGM’s earlier recognition of USDT and broadens its regulated digital asset framework beyond fiat-backed tokens, giving authorized firms another route to connect traditional assets with blockchain-based financial services.
XAUT extends its role beyond gold exposure
XAUT places ownership of physical gold on the blockchain, allowing the asset to be transferred digitally without removing its link to the underlying metal.
Each full token represents one troy fine ounce of gold held on a London Good Delivery bar, combining exposure to the precious metal with the speed and portability of blockchain-based transactions.
XAUT has gradually expanded its presence in the digital asset market, with that growth gathering pace in early 2026. Tether said its physical gold reserves rose 36% in the first quarter to 707,747 fine troy ounces, or about 22 metric tons, while the token’s total value climbed above $3.3 billion by March 31.
The asset has also moved into new areas of finance. In February, Elemental Royalty became the first publicly listed gold company to offer shareholders the option of receiving dividends in XAUT, while the token expanded to BNB Chain the following month.
Tether and Fasset later launched a Visa-linked card that allows users to convert XAUT for everyday spending and earn cashback in the gold-backed token.
The Abu Dhabi recognition adds another regulated market to XAUT’s expansion and strengthens its position in the Middle East’s digital asset sector.
