Tether Makes €1 Billion Play for Juventus as Crypto Expands Into Elite Football

Tether Targets Full Takeover of Juventus FC

Stablecoin issuer Tether has revealed that it has submitted a binding all-cash offer to acquire Juventus Football Club, one of Italy’s most storied football teams, marking one of the boldest moves yet by a crypto-native company into global sports ownership.

According to Tether, the proposal was delivered to Exor, the Agnelli family’s holding company, which has controlled Juventus for more than a century through its 65.4% majority stake.

If accepted, Tether says it intends to launch a public offer for all remaining Juventus shares at the same valuation, effectively seeking full ownership of the club.

Juventus Valuation Nears €1.1 Billion

Juventus is publicly listed and currently carries a market capitalization of approximately €944.49 million ($1.1 billion). Shares closed 2.3% higher at €2.23 ($2.62) following news of the bid.

However, the deal appears far from certain.

According to a report from AFP, a source close to Exor stated that the proposal has already been rejected, saying bluntly that “Juventus is not for sale.” Neither Exor nor Tether provided immediate comment in response to media inquiries.

Tether Pledges €1 Billion in Long-Term Investment

Tether has said it is prepared to commit €1 billion ($1.1 billion) toward Juventus’ long-term development should the transaction move forward.

“Tether is in a position of strong financial health and intends to support Juventus with stable capital and a long horizon,”

said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino.

Source

Ardoino also framed the bid as a personal commitment rather than a purely financial one.

“For me, Juventus has always been part of my life,” he said. “I grew up with this team. As a boy, I learned what commitment, resilience, and responsibility meant by watching Juventus face success and adversity with dignity.”

Tether Deepens Its Influence at Juventus

Tether’s takeover attempt follows a steady increase in its involvement with the club:

• February: Tether acquired an initial minority stake in Juventus

• April: Its holdings increased to over 10%

• October: Tether nominated Zachary Lyons, its deputy investment chief, and Francesco Garino to Juventus’ board

Last month, Juventus shareholders approved Garino’s appointment to the board, giving Tether a formal presence in club governance.

Crypto Giant Expands Beyond Stablecoins

Best known for issuing USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin by circulation, Tether has increasingly diversified beyond digital assets.

In recent years, the company has invested in:

• Artificial intelligence initiatives

• Robotics ventures

• A healthcare and wellness platform

The Juventus bid reflects Tether’s broader strategy of deploying its balance sheet into real-world, globally recognized brands, aligning crypto capital with traditional institutions.

Conclusion: A Signal of Crypto’s Growing Reach

While Exor may have rebuffed the offer for now, Tether’s €1 billion bid underscores how far crypto firms have moved beyond exchanges and tokens.

Whether or not the deal proceeds, the attempt highlights:

• The growing financial power of stablecoin issuers

• Crypto’s expanding footprint in global sports

• A shift toward long-term, real-asset investments

Even if Juventus remains off the table, Tether has made one thing clear: crypto capital is no longer content staying on-chain.

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