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Tether Buys Out SoftBank’s Stake in Joint Crypto Investment Firm

Reported by Pymnts
May 20, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Tether acquires full control: Tether has bought out SoftBank Group's ownership stake in Twenty One Capital Inc., a digital-asset treasury company focused on Bitcoin accumulation, consolidating Tether's control over the firm.
  • • Strategic consolidation play: The buyout is part of Tether's broader plan to merge Twenty One Capital with two other businesses, signaling a major restructuring of its Bitcoin investment vehicle.
  • • Twenty One Capital background: The company, valued at $3.6 billion, was initially backed by both SoftBank (which held approximately 25% ownership) and Tether through a reverse merger structure with special-purpose acquisition vehicle Cantor Equity Partners (Nasdaq: CEP).
  • • Tether's Bitcoin strategy: The move demonstrates Tether's commitment to scaling its Bitcoin accumulation activities, positioning itself as a competing vehicle to similar strategies employed by other major holders in the digital asset space.
Summary
Tether has acquired SoftBank Group's ownership stake in Twenty One Capital Inc., the digital-asset treasury company established to accumulate Bitcoin. This buyout strengthens Tether's control over the Bitcoin-focused firm and represents a significant consolidation of ownership within the joint venture structure that had previously divided control between the stablecoin issuer and the Japanese conglomerate.

Twenty One Capital was established through a collaboration between Tether International, SoftBank, and an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, with the company valued at approximately $3.6 billion. SoftBank's original stake was approximately 25% ownership in the business. The firm's stated mission centered on systematic Bitcoin accumulation, positioning it as a direct competitor to similar strategies employed by institutional investors in the digital asset space.

Tether's acquisition of SoftBank's stake is not an isolated transaction but rather a component of a larger strategic initiative. According to the primary source, Tether is simultaneously pursuing a merger of Twenty One Capital with two additional businesses, indicating a substantial reorganization of its cryptocurrency investment operations. This consolidation suggests Tether is moving toward a more unified structure for its digital asset treasury activities.

The timing of this transaction reflects intensifying competition in the Bitcoin accumulation space, where major institutions and crypto-native entities are increasingly positioning themselves as long-term holders of the world's largest cryptocurrency. By eliminating an external stakeholder and consolidating control, Tether is streamlining decision-making and operational efficiency within the vehicle—critical factors as it scales its Bitcoin acquisition and management strategies.

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Sources

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Pymnts Tether Buys Out SoftBank’s Stake in Joint Crypto Investment Firm