In a recent development, Paolo Ardoino, Chief Executive Officer of Tether, sought to clarify misconceptions about the company's proposed capital raising efforts. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting a $20 billion fundraising initiative, Ardoino indicated that this figure was a misinterpretation and that the stablecoin issuer is now evaluating a reduced funding round significantly lower than previously speculated.
Initially, Tether contemplated securing between $15 billion and $20 billion in fresh capital, with discussions pointing to a valuation that purportedly approached $500 billion. However, according to information obtained by the Financial Times, advisory figures are now in talks regarding a far smaller capital infusion, estimated at around $5 billion. This shift reflects a more cautious approach amidst growing investor reservations.
Ardoino emphasized that Tether’s need for an external capital injection is minimal, citing the company’s robust profitability and a lack of interest among existing stakeholders to divest their shares. He clarified that the previously reported $20 billion round was a misunderstanding rather than a concrete proposal.
The reluctance from investors stems from multiple concerns. Chief among these are skepticism about the proposed company valuation, uncertainties posed by evolving regulatory frameworks for stablecoins, and ongoing questions about the transparency of Tether’s reserves. These factors have collectively fostered hesitancy, prompting the company to reconsider the scale and timing of its fundraising efforts.
Addressing valuation concerns, Ardoino pointed to Tether’s impressive profitability, which he estimated at roughly $10 billion annually. He drew a comparison with leading artificial intelligence firms, suggesting that Tether’s earnings merit a valuation in the same range. "The AI companies are making the same amount of profits we're making, except with a minus sign in the front," he remarked, underscoring Tether's positive cash generation in contrast with losses seen elsewhere.
The stablecoin ecosystem has been under heightened scrutiny, partly due to a recent downgrade of Tether’s reserves by S&P Global Ratings. Additionally, the company continues to forgo releasing a full independent audit, a factor that contributes to uncertainty among potential investors and regulatory bodies.
Despite these challenges, Tether’s operational metrics reflect ongoing growth. The supply of its USDT stablecoin recently surpassed $185 billion, marking significant expansion. Additionally, the firm has strategically increased its holdings in U.S. Treasury securities and gold, positioning itself as a major purchaser in these asset classes.
Ardoino noted that this momentum is supported by favorable developments, such as progress on proposed U.S. stablecoin legislation and the successful public listing of Circle (NYSE: CRCL), a peer in the stablecoin market. Furthermore, Tether is actively pursuing the launch of a compliant, U.S.-based stablecoin variant, signaling an acknowledgment of regulatory demands.
However, Ardoino admitted that the precise size and conditions of any forthcoming capital raise remain undetermined and largely contingent upon broader cryptocurrency market dynamics. The company's financial performance has also been influenced by market conditions; for instance, profits reportedly declined by about 25% in the first half of 2025 compared with the prior year, a dip attributed to falling Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) prices.
Interestingly, Tether offset some of these pressures through gains realized on its gold holdings, which surged following a rally in precious metal prices. Ardoino mentioned that these gold-related gains amounted to approximately $8 billion to $10 billion, bolstering the firm’s financial position during a volatile period.
This complex environment, combining strong profitability with regulatory and market uncertainties, positions Tether at a critical crossroads as it navigates investor expectations and the evolving crypto landscape.