Tether takes larger stake in Juventus, triggering fan token surge

Stablecoin issuer Tether has raised its stake in Juventus Football Club to 10.12% of issued shares, which gives it 6.18% of the club’s voting rights.

Following the news, Juventus’s crypto fan token, JUV, jumped over 10% to a two-month high of $1.08, according to CryptoSlate’s data.

Meanwhile, other fan tokens also benefited from the momentum. The Trabzonspor token surged 14%, while tokens linked to Napoli, Galatasaray, and Barcelona posted gains of around 3%.

Tether eyes long-term partnership with Juventus

Tether said the move tightened its ties with the Turin-based team, one of Italy’s most storied football clubs.

According to the firm, the move builds on its 8.2% stake in the Turin-based football powerhouse.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino described the investment as a long-term bet on innovation and collaboration. He emphasized Juventus’s potential to lead both in sport and digital transformation.

According to him:

“This investment is not just financial—it’s a commitment to innovation and long-term collaboration. We believe Juventus is uniquely positioned to lead both on the field and in embracing technology that can elevate fan engagement, digital experiences, and financial resilience.”

Meanwhile, Tether has expressed interest in participating in future equity rounds to avoid dilution and strengthen the club’s financial position.

The company also aims to work closely with Juventus leadership to shape the club’s future, including the possible creation of an integrated board of directors.

Diversifying investments

Tether’s growing interest in sports reflects a broader pivot toward sectors outside the crypto space. Over the past year, the company has made several moves into traditional industries.

Tether acquired a 30% stake in media startup Be Water in March through an $11 million investment. Earlier, the firm submitted a bid to take full ownership of Adecoagro, a major agricultural business in South America.

However, even as it expands beyond digital assets, Tether remains firmly rooted in crypto.

The company recently backed Fizen, a crypto payments app, and joined a heavyweight consortium, including Cantor Fitzgerald, Bitfinex, and SoftBank, to launch 21 Capital, a $3 billion Bitcoin-focused investment fund.

Meanwhile, Tether’s flagship USDT stablecoin continues to dominate the market. It now serves over 400 million users and boasts a market cap exceeding $145 billion.

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