Juventus rejects Tether’s $1 billion+ takeover bid

Juventus owners, Exor, have firmly rejected a takeover bid from stablecoin issuer Tether, signalling that the club will remain under the control of the Agnelli family for now.

Tether submitted an unsolicited, all-cash proposal that valued Juventus at just over $1 billion. The approach sought Exor’s entire 65.4 per cent stake and offered to extend the same terms to other shareholders. The move prompted swift and unequivocal resistance from the club’s majority owner.

The proposal was notable for its size and its source. Tether, best known for issuing the USDT stablecoin, proposed €2.66 per share and pledged a further investment of about $1 billion into the club if the deal materialised. The bid would have represented a premium over recent market levels and marked one of the most prominent attempts by a crypto firm to take control of a major European football club.

Exor’s response was short and decisive. The holding company, controlled by the Agnelli family, said it had “no intention of selling its Juventus shares to any third party.” The board of Exor reportedly discussed the offer and rejected it unanimously, closing the immediate path for Tether to assume control. For Exor and the Agnellis, the decision underlined a long-standing emotional and historical attachment to the club.

Tether’s chief executive, Paolo Ardoino, who is Italian and a vocal Juventus supporter, led the approach. The bid followed Tether’s recent accumulation of a significant minority holding in Juventus, which the company disclosed in filings and corporate communications. 

Tether framed the offer as a constructive step to stabilise the club’s finances and to accelerate investment in sport and infrastructure. Critics, though, warned that the involvement of a crypto issuer in the governance of a century-old football institution raised fresh regulatory and reputational questions.

What this means for Juventus, Tether and the crypto market

For Juventus, the episode is a reminder of the club’s fragile position off the pitch. Years of sporting and financial difficulties have eroded its market value and left the club vulnerable to outside interest. Yet the Agnelli family’s response shows that symbolic ownership and long-term stewardship still matter in elite football. Exor’s rejection reassures supporters who fear a rapid change of identity or strategy under new owners.

For the broader industry, the bid highlights growing crypto interest in sports assets. Over the past few years, digital asset firms and funds have sought visibility and legitimacy through sponsorships, token partnerships, and minority investments. 

A full takeover of a storied club would have been unprecedented and would likely have attracted intense regulatory scrutiny across Italy and the European Union. Observers will now watch whether Tether pursues alternative routes to influence or scales back its ambitions.

Reaction among fans and analysts was mixed. Some welcomed the possibility of fresh capital after difficult seasons on the pitch. Others welcomed Exor’s stance and stressed the club’s cultural and historical continuity. 

Financial markets also digested the news, as traders priced in the low likelihood of a near-term ownership change following Exor’s public refusal.

The story is likely not over. Tether’s high-profile move, combined with its existing stake, means the company remains a player in Juventus’s shareholder register. 

Exor, for its part, has reiterated a commitment to revitalise the club under its current stewardship. What follows may be more incremental pressure, further minority purchases, or a new round of dialogue, but for now, the Agnellis have drawn a line in the sand.

This episode will be watched closely. It sits at the crossroads of sport, money and crypto. It raises questions about who should own iconic clubs and how regulators should respond when non-traditional financiers seek control. For supporters and investors alike, the message from Exor is clear: Juventus is not for sale.