Tether Makes Bold Bid To Acquire Juventus Football Club — Here’s What It Means

Stablecoin giant Tether is making a play for the beautiful game. The company behind USDT has reportedly submitted a formal bid to acquire Italian football powerhouse Juventus.

Why a crypto firm wants a football club

It's not just about sports. This is a strategic power move. Acquiring a globally recognized brand like Juventus instantly grants Tether mainstream legitimacy and a massive, built-in fanbase. Think branded stadiums, jersey sponsorships, and crypto-powered fan engagement on a scale we haven't seen. It's marketing genius with a side of real-world utility.

The numbers behind the play

While the exact bid figure remains under wraps, the move speaks to the staggering war chest Tether has built from its dominance in the stablecoin market. This isn't speculative token money—it's the cold, hard proof that crypto-native companies now have the capital to compete with traditional financial titans for premium global assets. A cynic might say it's easier to buy a football club than get a traditional banking license.

More than a game

Forget niche adoption. This is about planting a flag in the heart of global culture. If the deal goes through, it signals a new era where crypto isn't just disrupting finance—it's buying its way into the very fabric of society. Watch this space. The next trophy might be yours.

Tether Promises 1 Billion Euros For Sport Development If Bid Succeeds

In Feb 2025, Tether announced a minority stake purchase of 8.2% in Juventus FC. The stablecoin issuer described this acquisition as a strategic move to integrate stablecoins and digital assets into everyday life. Two months later, Tether WOULD boost its holdings to 10%, as the company’s CEO and lifetime Juventus supporter, Paolo Ardoino, explained the move as a commitment to long-term innovation. 

Taking this step further, the USDT operator has submitted an audacious bid to acquire the entire 65.4% controlling stake of the football club from Exor, the listed holding company of the billionaire Italian Agnelli Family. For context, Juventus FC ranks as the third-largest Italian club with a market valuation of $1.87 billion. However, the Old Lady, as it is popularly called, is the most decorated in the land, boasting 71 major honors, which include 36 Serie A championships. 

While Juventus’ momentum has slowed down in recent years, with its last league-winning campaign coming in 2020, the Italian giant has remained relevant by securing three domestic cup trophies since then. Paolo Ardoino explains that Tether’s objective is to contribute to Juventus’ growth and drive exceptional performance.

The Tether CEO said: 

Tether is in a position of strong financial health and intends to support Juventus with stable capital and a long horizon. Our goal is to make a positive contribution to the club’s future, support its sporting performance at the highest level, and help Juventus continue to grow sustainably in a rapidly evolving global sports and media landscape.

To this end, Tether has promised to invest 1 billion Euros in the club if the transaction receives approval from relevant regulatory bodies. However, footballing media The Athletic has reported that sources close to Exor state the Agnelli Family has no intent to divest their stake in Juventus, with the message being “the club is not for sale.”

Notably, Juventus represents one of Tether’s investments, which also includes the Italian media company Be Water and the Canadian video platform Rumble.

USDT Market Overview

At the time of writing, USDT’s total market cap is valued at $186.24 billion, ranking as the largest stablecoin and third-largest cryptocurrency in the world.