Tether has reportedly rolled back plans to raise as much as $20 billion in a funding round that would have positioned the stablecoin issuer as one of the most valuable private companies in the world.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino downplayed the size of the reported raise, which would have placed the company’s valuation near $500 billion, calling it a “misconception,” the Financial Times reported on Feb. 4.

“That number is not our goal. It’s our maximum we were ready to sell,” Ardoino said during an interview appearance.

However, people familiar with the matter told FT that Tether’s advisers, which include industry heavyweights like Cantor Fitzgerald, have floated the possibility of raising a mere $5 billion after encountering reluctance from prospective investors.

Reports that the USDT issuer was considering a multibillion-dollar fundraising round first surfaced in September last year. At the time, it was reported that the company was in early discussions with a select group of high-profile investors and would issue new equity rather than sell existing shares.

According to FT, Ardoino said that Tether has received “a lot of interest” at the $500 billion valuation, but the company remains undecided on how much equity it would ultimately sell, as some insiders remain reluctant to part with their stakes.

Much of the momentum behind the raise was supported by recent progress in terms of regulatory clarity, especially after stablecoin legislation was passed in the United States and Circle, Tether’s direct competitor, completed a successful public debut.

Sources cited in the report said that talks are still ongoing and that investor sentiment may shift if the broader crypto market, which has struggled in recent months, begins to recover.

They also noted that some investors remain cautious about the regulatory risks still surrounding Tether.

According to Ardoino, Tether has demonstrated “the depth” of its compliance infrastructure and its ability to collaborate with various law enforcement agencies, the report noted.

Tether Navigates Headwinds in 2025

Tether’s profits declined in 2025 when compared to the previous year, which Ardoino attributed to Bitcoin’s underperformance throughout the last quarter. Further, S&P Global Ratings downgraded Tether’s reserves to its weakest tier due to increased exposure to high-risk assets such as Bitcoin and gold.

Nevertheless, Tether’s flagship product, USDT, continues to dominate the stablecoin market and commands a market cap of over $185 billion as of last check.

In the meantime, Tether has continued to strengthen its gold holdings, which, according to Ardoino, netted the stablecoin issuer between $8 billion and $10 billion during the precious metal rally that unfolded over the past months.