Tether Eyes $500B Valuation, Bigger Than Warren Buffett?

Tether is drawing global attention after reports suggested it could be valued at half a trillion dollars. Such a number would put the crypto giant in the same league as SpaceX and OpenAI, and even raise the possibility that its chairman, Giancarlo Devasini, could surpass Warren Buffett in personal wealth. 

For a firm born out of crypto’s turbulent early days, the idea of a $500 billion valuation is both bold and controversial.

A Private Funding Round That Could Rewrite Records

According to Bloomberg, Tether Holdings SA is in talks with investors to raise between $15 billion and $20 billion through a private funding round. The plan involves selling roughly 3% of the company, a deal that could push its valuation to around $500 billion. 

At the high end, estimates even touch $600 billion, making this one of the largest valuation jumps in financial history for a crypto company.

Cantor Fitzgerald, a major Wall Street player, is reportedly advising the deal. The firm also manages part of Tether’s reserves and owns a stake in the company. If the deal goes through, Cantor’s 5% holding could be worth $25 billion.

Read also: Tether’s $1B USDT Minting Could Trigger Massive Crypto Market Rally

Why $500 Billion Matters in the Crypto Market

A Tether $500 billion valuation would dwarf its competitors. Circle, the closest rival behind the USDC stablecoin, was valued at just $30 billion earlier this year. 

Analysts point out that Tether’s dominance in the stablecoin market, its USDT token has a market capitalization of more than $172 billion, directly drives its profits. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, Tether reported $4.9 billion in net income and distributed $7.4 billion in dividends in the first half of the year.

This financial strength underpins the Tether funding round report and gives credibility to its market valuation prediction. However, some insiders caution that the final fundraising amount could fall short of the $20 billion target.

Read also: Tether Gold (XAUt) Price Analysis August 2025

Devasini’s Net Worth and the Buffett Comparison

If the Tether private funding round values the firm at $500 billion, Chairman Giancarlo Devasini’s net worth could soar to $224 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. That would place him ahead of Warren Buffett and leave him just behind tech titans such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and other key shareholders would also see their fortunes skyrocket. Ardoino and former CEO Jean-Louis van der Velde could each be worth around $95 billion, while general counsel Stuart Hoegner’s stake might reach over $60 billion. 

Such numbers would instantly elevate Tether’s leadership above every other crypto billionaire, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

Read also: Tether Gold Market Cap: 2025 Growth, Trends, and Institutional Impact

Tether’s Strategy and Global Expansion

Beyond numbers, Tether continues to expand its global presence. The company recently revealed plans for USAT, a regulated stablecoin designed for U.S. businesses and institutions under the new GENIUS Act. 

This move signals Tether’s intent to re-enter the U.S. market after years of avoiding it due to regulatory disputes, including a $41 million settlement in 2021 over reserve disclosures.

Meanwhile, adoption of USDT is spreading rapidly. Automakers in Bolivia announced they would accept payments in USDT, and a stablecoin network in New York has raised millions to integrate Tether into international trade. 

These developments strengthen Tether’s position as the most widely used digital dollar and support its long-term Tether market valuation prediction.

Read also: Tether Freezes $1.6M USDT Tied to Gaza Network, U.S. Authorities Acknowledge

The Origins of a Crypto Giant

Tether’s story adds a human angle to its staggering numbers. Giancarlo Devasini, now 61, was once a plastic surgeon in Italy before leaving medicine to pursue business ventures in electronics. 

His path eventually led to crypto, where he became a major figure at Bitfinex and later helped launch Tether in 2014. What began as a niche idea to bridge fiat and digital currencies has grown into a cornerstone of the global crypto market.

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FAQ

What is a Tether?

The word "tether" generally means a line or chain used to fasten something (like an animal or a sailor) to restrict movement or provide security. In the context of finance, Tether (USDT) acts as a digital line that ties its value to the US dollar.

What is Tether used for?

Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin used for several purposes. You can exchange it for goods, trade it for other cryptocurrencies, lend it out to earn interest, use it to buy NFTs, or participate in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

Why is Tether only $1?

Tether is a stablecoin that is "pegged" to the US Dollar, which means 1 USDT is almost always worth $1. The company that issues Tether achieves this stable price by holding an equivalent amount of US dollars or other reserves for every USDT token they create.

Is Tether the same as USDT?

Yes, they are the same. Tether is the name of the stablecoin, and USDT (along with USD₮) is its currency code. It was launched in 2014 by the company Tether Limited Inc.