Tether Acquires 30% Stake in Italian Media Company Be Water for €10 Million

Tether, the issuer of the widely used stablecoin USDT, has announced its plans to acquire a 30% stake in Be Water, an Italian media company based in Rome. This strategic move marks Tether's continued expansion into traditional industries, diversifying its operations beyond the realm of cryptocurrency. The deal, valued at approximately €10 million, was confirmed by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, who emphasized that the investment would help Be Water maintain its stability, independence, and forward-looking approach.

Be Water operates several media ventures, including the podcast studio Chora Media, the social-first brand Will Media, and the production company Be Water Film. These entities focus on news, media, podcasts, and content creation for the Italian market. Tether's investment in Be Water is part of a broader strategy to explore traditional content and media distribution models, aligning with its four-tier investment structure announced in April 2024. This structure includes divisions such as Tether Finance, Tether Power, Tether Data, and Tether Edu, each focusing on different sectors including financial products, Bitcoin mining, strategic tech and AI ventures, and education initiatives in emerging markets.

This acquisition is not Tether's first foray into traditional media. In December 2024, Tether invested $775 million into Rumble, a video-sharing platform known for its free speech advocacy and as an alternative to YouTube. Following this investment, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski announced the development of Rumble Wallet, a creator-focused payment tool powered by Tether’s stablecoin infrastructure. This tool aims to support direct revenue generation, bypassing traditional banking and third-party processors.

Tether's expansion strategy also includes investments in other sectors. Late last year, the company made an offer to acquire a controlling stake in Adecoagro SA, a large-scale agribusiness in South America. Additionally, Tether has invested $18.75 million in Taiwanese crypto exchange XREX and $150 million into Bitdeer, a Nasdaq-listed Bitcoin mining firm. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Guinea’s government to collaborate on blockchain-based public systems and purchased a minority stake in Juventus Football Club, integrating AI, biotech, and digital assets into sports.

Despite its expanding portfolio, Tether continues to face regulatory pressure, particularly in relation to its flagship stablecoin, USDT. CEO Paolo Ardoino has pushed back against critics who leverage regulatory influence to curtail USDT’s reach, arguing that USDT remains a lifeline for many underserved communities worldwide. However, regulatory shifts in Europe, such as the introduction of MiCA—the EU’s crypto regulatory framework—have led major exchanges like Binance and Crypto.com to delist USDT, impacting its market share.

With the potential acquisition of Be Water, Tether appears committed to a long-term diversification strategy. Whether in media, agriculture, or AI, the company is steadily expanding its presence in areas far beyond its crypto roots. This move not only diversifies Tether's income channels but also integrates financial services with content production, opening new earnings paths and shifting focus from digital assets toward a multi-industry operational model. The investment in Be Water suggests a blend between classic media and digital finance, potentially restructuring revenue streams and forging stronger cross-industry ties, reshaping market dynamics while opening fresh avenues for growth.