Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has addressed concerns about USDT's potential insolvency, emphasizing a $30 billion equity cushion as a safeguard. This response follows claims that USDT could face financial stress if Bitcoin or gold prices fall by 40%. According to Tether's Q3 2025 attestation, the company holds $215 billion in assets against $184.5 billion in stablecoin liabilities. Ardoino criticized detractors, including Arthur Hayes, for ignoring Tether's robust financial structure. Despite S&P's recent downgrade of USDT to a 'vulnerable' status due to increased exposure to Bitcoin, gold, loans, and corporate bonds, analyst Joseph Ayoub highlighted Tether's strong income and asset position as a counterbalance to these risks.