SoftBank, Ark Bet Big on Tether’s $500B Mainstream Push

SoftBank Group Corp. and Ark Investment Management LLC are in early-stage discussions to participate in a major funding round for Tether Holdings SA, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, which seeks to raise $15–$20 billion through a private placement offering roughly 3% of its equity. If completed, the deal would value Tether at approximately $500 billion, positioning it among the most valuable private companies globally, alongside peers like SpaceX and OpenAI SoftBank, Ark in Talks to Invest in Tether’s Major Funding Round^[1]. The fundraising, facilitated by Cantor Fitzgerald LP as financial advisor, aims to bolster Tether’s expansion beyond its core stablecoin business and strengthen its political and financial legitimacy, particularly in the U.S., where it has faced regulatory scrutiny SoftBank and Ark Eye Stake in Tether at $500B Valuation: …^[2].

Tether’s USDT, with a market capitalization of $173.5 billion, dominates the stablecoin sector, outpacing its closest rival, Circle Internet Group Inc.’s USDC, which holds $74 billion. The proposed valuation would place Giancarlo Devasini, Tether’s chairman and largest shareholder, in the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with his stake estimated at $224 billion SoftBank, Ark in Talks to Invest in Tether’s Major Funding Round^[1]. The firm’s leadership, including CEO Paolo Ardoino, has leveraged its reserves—backed by U.S. Treasuries and cash-like assets—to generate interest income, a strategy that has contributed to its profitability. The new capital could accelerate Tether’s push for mainstream adoption in traditional finance and technology sectors SoftBank and ARK Invest in discussions to join Tether's ...^[3].

Both SoftBank and Ark have established track records in high-impact technology investments. SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, has previously backed ventures in data centers, self-driving cars, and OpenAI, while Ark, managed by Cathie Wood, already holds a stake in Circle. The potential participation of these firms underscores growing institutional confidence in stablecoin infrastructure and its role in the evolving financial ecosystem SoftBank and Ark Eye Stake in Tether at $500B Valuation: …^[2]. A $500 billion valuation would mark a significant milestone for Tether, which has navigated regulatory challenges and market volatility to maintain its dominance in the stablecoin space.

The fundraising reflects broader trends in private capital markets, where high-profile tech and crypto firms are attracting unprecedented valuations. Tether’s market position, combined with its strategic partnerships and reserves, positions it to compete with publicly traded fintech players. However, the deal’s success hinges on regulatory clarity and continued demand for stablecoin-based liquidity, particularly in cross-border transactions and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications SoftBank and ARK in talks to participate in Tether's major …^[4]. Analysts note that the valuation would also require robust transparency measures to address lingering concerns about Tether’s reserve composition and governance practices.

Tether’s expansion ambitions align with its recent efforts to diversify revenue streams and enhance operational resilience. The firm has explored partnerships with traditional financial institutions and regulatory bodies to legitimize its operations, a move that could mitigate risks associated with its opaque reserve structure. While the proposed funding round remains speculative, it highlights the growing intersection of institutional capital and crypto-native assets, a trend that could reshape the global financial landscape in the coming years SoftBank and ARK Invest in discussions to join Tether's ...^[3].