Tether, the company behind the widely used USDT stablecoin, is said to be in talks for one of the biggest private fundraisings in crypto history.
The plan, as reported, would involve new shares rather than existing owners selling down their holdings. The raise size under discussion — $15–$20 billion — would make this one of the largest private placements seen in the crypto sector.
Tether’s Major Funding Round May Include SoftBank Group and Ark Investment Management
The company has expanded its activities beyond issuing stablecoins and is said to be moving into areas such as cloud services, telecom and real estate investments.
Cantor Fitzgerald is named as an adviser on the process. None of the interested firms, including Tether, has confirmed a final agreement publicly, and those discussions are described as early-stage.
Why would big investors consider this? For one, Tether generates revenue from interest on its reserves, largely held in US Treasuries. One report said Tether made about $13.4 billion in profit last year from such returns.
The company also serves roughly 500 million users worldwide, and USDT remains a major on-ramp between fiat currency and crypto assets such as Bitcoin and Ether.
Past scrutiny over reserve disclosures and other controversies means any major investment will draw extra attention from regulators.
Observers note that a lofty private valuation could amplify those concerns, especially as Tether moves toward broader business lines and prepares a US-focused stablecoin product reportedly called USAT.
Cantor Fitzgerald’s role and the involvement of big-name investors would likely intensify the public and regulatory spotlight.
Talks could still fall apart or change shape. Based on reports, the numbers are ambitious and represent the top end of what Tether is said to be seeking. Investors and regulators are watching closely as details emerge.
Featured image from Stake, chart from TradingView
