Tether Barred From Juventus Capital Raise Despite Increased Investment

Tether, the issuer of the widely used stablecoin USDT, has been barred from participating in Juventus Football Club’s latest capital raise, despite its increased investment in the club. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino disclosed this development in a June 2 post, addressing inquiries from Juventus supporters who had hoped for Tether’s financial support to bolster the team’s player acquisitions and competitive edge.

Ardoino revealed that Juventus has not granted Tether the necessary approval to participate in the capital increase process, which commenced in April 2025. Without this formal consent, Tether is unable to inject new funds into the club, regardless of its willingness and financial capacity. Ardoino expressed Tether’s eagerness to contribute to Juventus’ growth but highlighted the club’s reluctance to allow the stablecoin issuer to participate in the capital raise.

Tether initially invested in Juventus in February 2025, securing an 8.2% stake. By April, it had increased its holdings to 10.12% of issued shares, equating to 6.18% of the club’s voting rights. Despite this increased involvement, Tether is excluded from the capital raise expected to generate between €15 million and €110 million. The club’s funding push follows a fourth-place finish in the 2024/25 Serie A season and the recent appointment of Damien Gomolli as General Manager to lead its commercial and marketing efforts.

Tether’s push into football aligns with the broader momentum of its flagship stablecoin, USDT. According to Ardoino, USDT gained over $5 billion in market capitalization in the last 30 days, outpacing its main rival, Circle’s USDC. The surge has pushed USDT’s total market cap above $153 billion, while USDC trails at $60.9 billion. The growth reflects broader tailwinds, including Bitcoin’s climb to an all-time high in May and emerging regulatory clarity from the US and Hong Kong.

This development underscores the complexities and challenges faced by stablecoin issuers seeking to engage in high-profile investments, particularly in the sports industry. Despite Tether’s significant financial resources and growing market influence, Juventus’ decision to exclude the stablecoin issuer from its capital raise highlights the club’s strategic priorities and potential concerns regarding the source of investment funds. As Tether continues to expand its footprint in the sports sector, it will need to navigate similar hurdles and demonstrate its commitment to responsible and transparent investment practices.