Tether’s €1B Juventus Takeover Bid Fails After Exor Rejection

Stablecoin giant Tether‘s ambitious €1 billion attempt to acquire Italian football powerhouse Juventus Football Club has ended in failure. The club’s century-long owner, Exor, unanimously rejected the unsolicited takeover proposal on Saturday.

🚨 Exor has released a statement:

EXOR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY REJECTS TETHER'S PROPOSAL TO ACQUIRE CONTROLLING STAKE IN JUVENTUS.

Exor reaffirms its previous, consistent statements that it has no intention of selling any of its shares in Juventus to a third party, including El… pic.twitter.com/0HfoXXSK7h

— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) December 13, 2025

The Agnelli family’s holding company made clear its position in a firm public statement. Exor’s board emphasized it has no intention of selling any Juventus shares to third parties, specifically naming El Salvador-based Tether.

Tether had submitted a binding all-cash offer on Friday for Exor’s 65.4% controlling stake in the Serie A club. The company pledged to extend a public offer for remaining shares at the same price if accepted.

According to Reuters, Tether offered €2.66 per share, valuing Juventus at just over €1 billion. The club’s market capitalization stood at €944.49 million after Friday’s trading close at €2.19 per share.

Exor Slams Door on Tether Takeover

Exor CEO John Elkann delivered a personal and emotional response to the takeover attempt. In a video posted on Juventus’ official website, he invoked more than a century of family ownership.

Juventus has been a part of my family for 102 years, Juventus, our history and our values are not for sale.

Elkann stated.

The holding company reinforced its commitment to the club’s future direction. Exor and the Agnelli family pledged full support for Juventus’ new management team and its strategic vision.

The statement emphasized confidence in delivering strong results both on and off the field. This decisive rejection leaves no room for continued negotiations between the parties.

Tether’s Growing Football Ambitions

Despite the rejection, Tether has been steadily building its presence in the Italian football landscape. The stablecoin issuer first purchased a stake in Juventus in February 2025.

By April, the company had increased its holdings to over 10% of the club’s shares. This gradual accumulation signaled serious intent from the crypto firm.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino expressed deep personal attachment to the club in his proposal. “For me, Juventus has always been part of my life. I grew up with this team,” he said.

Tether Submits Proposal to Acquire Juventus Football Club 🦓

Read more: https://t.co/CDv8OosqFU

— Tether (@Tether_to) December 12, 2025

The company had promised to invest an additional €1 billion to support Juventus’ development if the deal closed. Ardoino emphasized Tether’s strong financial position and commitment to providing stable, long-term capital.

Recent weeks saw Tether gain some boardroom influence at the Turin-based club. Juventus shareholders approved the nomination of Francesco Garino, a Tether candidate, to the board of directors last month.

However, the company faced limits to its influence even before the takeover rejection. Shareholders declined to approve Tether’s deputy investment chief, Zachary Lyons, for a board position.

Tether framed its interest as rooted in shared values between the company and the football club. The proposal cited “discipline, ambition, and the quiet strength of those who rebuild” as common principles.

The company positioned itself as a patient, long-term investor capable of supporting Juventus’ growth. Tether highlighted its strong balance sheet and focus on building “resilient, globally relevant institutions.”

Tether has not responded publicly to the rejection. The company’s existing 10% stake in Juventus remains intact following the failed takeover attempt.

The Agnelli family’s decision puts a pause on cryptocurrency’s push into European football ownership. For the time being, Juventus stays in the hands of its longtime family custodians.