TL;DR
- Tether raised its stake in Juventus to 10.7%, but its relationship with the club and Exor remains stalled with no meetings scheduled.
- The crypto firm is seeking a seat on the board and aims to take part in future capital raises, though Juventus has postponed any decisions for now.
- Tether believes it can contribute technology and digital management expertise to the club but first wants to confirm if there’s genuine interest in collaboration.
Tether strengthened its position as Juventus’ second-largest shareholder after increasing its stake to 10.7% of the club’s share capital.
The move made the crypto company an influential figure within the historic Italian institution. However, instead of forging a productive relationship, ties with Juventus and its majority owner, Exor, remain frozen with no effective dialogue.
Since announcing its investment, Tether has been trying to secure a seat on the board and get involved in upcoming capital raises. According to its CEO, Paolo Ardoino, the lack of communication makes any attempt at collaboration difficult. The company proposed formal meetings, but Juventus postponed any engagement until after the Club World Cup, which ends in July. Ardoino made it clear that his intention is to contribute to the club’s institutional and commercial growth, though he first needs to know whether there’s a real willingness to sit down and talk.
Tether Believes It Can Offer Valuable Contributions to the Club’s Management
Tether’s arrival in Juventus’ shareholder base marks an unprecedented move in Europe. Until 2025, no major football club on the continent had taken on a crypto company as a significant shareholder. While Exor holds over 65% of the capital, Tether now surpasses 10% and controls about 6% of the voting rights. The firm believes its experience in fields like artificial intelligence, media, and digital distribution could bring tangible value to the club’s management.
Meanwhile, Juventus is navigating a difficult period. It has gone five seasons without a Serie A title and is expected to close the fiscal year with a loss of around €18 million. The club has already flagged the possibility of raising between €15 million and €100 million, partly to fund new signings. Exor committed to providing an initial €15 million and warned it would support future rounds to prevent its control from being diluted.
Tether has the financial capacity to participate. It manages a $150 billion portfolio of assets, including $115 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds, and reported $13 billion in annual profits, though it has yet to publish a full public audit. The company has already invested in Italian media outlets and sees football as a suitable sector for integrating technology and new monetization strategies, but it’s still waiting for an official response from Juventus before moving forward.
