- Tether is seeking $15–20 billion in funding at a $500 billion valuation, with SoftBank and Ark in talks.
- A $500 billion valuation could place Tether among the world’s largest private companies.
- Support from SoftBank and Ark could strengthen Tether’s drive toward mainstream legitimacy.
Tether Holdings SA, issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, is in early discussions with major investors, including SoftBank Group Corp. and Ark Investment Management LLC, about a multibillion-dollar fundraising round that could rank the company among the most valuable private firms globally, Bloomberg reports.
The proposed fundraising could value Tether at $500 billion.
The company is reportedly seeking $15 to $20 billion in exchange for roughly 3% equity via a private placement.
Potential $500 Billion Valuation
If successful, this fundraising would mark Tether’s largest effort to attract outside capital and could put it alongside the most highly valued private companies in the world.
At a $500 billion valuation, Tether would exceed many global blue-chip firms in size, reflecting both the scale of its token issuance and the financial gains derived from its reserves.
Tether’s USD-pegged stablecoin, USDT, is widely used to move value across cryptocurrency markets and beyond, providing investors with a means of transacting outside traditional banking systems.
Backed by cash-like assets—primarily U.S. Treasury securities—the company has earned significant interest income from these reserves.
CEO Paolo Ardoino leads the company, while co-founder Giancarlo Devasini serves as chairman and remains its largest shareholder.
Bloomberg estimates that a $500 billion valuation would value Devasini’s personal stake at nearly $224 billion.
Strategic Backing from SoftBank and Ark
Tokyo-based SoftBank, led by founder Masayoshi Son, has a long history of placing ambitious bets on technology, ranging from autonomous vehicles to semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
Potential investment in Tether would align with SoftBank’s strategy of pursuing breakthrough opportunities, similar to its planned investments such as a $30 billion commitment to OpenAI.
Ark Investment Management, led by Cathie Wood, has also shown strong interest in digital assets.
Ark previously invested in Circle Internet Financial, a major competitor to Tether in the stablecoin space.
Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) currently has a market capitalization of about $74 billion, compared with roughly $173.5 billion of tokens issued by Tether.
Potential participation by SoftBank and Ark could bolster Tether’s efforts to expand its presence in mainstream finance and enhance its political legitimacy—particularly in the U.S., where the company has faced heightened scrutiny over its role in facilitating illicit transactions.
Advisory Role and Industry Impact
Cantor Fitzgerald LP, the New York investment bank long led by current U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is advising Tether on the fundraising.
The firm also provides custody services for Tether’s assets, underscoring its central role in the company’s financial operations.
The fundraising comes as stablecoins increasingly draw attention from investors, regulators, and governments.
With U.S. authorities preparing stricter oversight of digital assets, securing high-profile financial backers could be crucial for positioning Tether in global markets.
If talks progress and funding is secured, Tether’s valuation would mark a milestone not only for the company but for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem, signaling continued integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.