Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino Says $20 Billion Fundraise Was ‘Misconception,’ Flags Regulatory Risks
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino on Wednesday said reports of a $20 billion fundraising plan were misunderstood, as investor concerns over valuation and regulation prompt the stablecoin giant to scale back discussions.
Funding Round Narrowed Threefold
Tether initially explored raising $15 billion to $20 billion at a valuation reportedly near $500 billion, but advisers are now discussing a significantly smaller round of roughly $5 billion, according to the Financial Times.
Ardoino said the larger figure was a misconception and stressed that Tether does not require external capital, citing strong profitability and a lack of interest among insiders in selling shares.
Investor hesitation has centred on the proposed valuation, regulatory uncertainty, and ongoing concerns over reserve transparency.
While Ardoino argues Tether’s roughly $10 billion in …