Tether Acquires SoftBank’s Stake in XXI to Anchor Bitcoin Strategy

Tether International, the issuer behind the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, has officially announced the acquisition of SoftBank’s entire stake in Twenty One Capital (XXI). This strategic move, confirmed on May 20, 2026, establishes Tether as the primary controlling entity of the firm. The transaction marks a significant shift in XXI’s corporate structure, as the venture capital giant SoftBank exits its position to make way for Tether’s long-term vision of a Bitcoin-centric enterprise.

Shift in Governance and Corporate Structure

Following the completion of the acquisition, the board members previously appointed by SoftBank have resigned in accordance with the existing shareholders' agreement. Tether’s takeover represents a transition from early-stage institutional support to a more concentrated strategic direction. The company noted that SoftBank’s initial involvement was instrumental, providing XXI with the institutional framework and corporate governance experience necessary to navigate its foundational phase.

• Tether now holds the majority controlling interest in XXI.
• SoftBank-appointed directors have officially exited the board.
• The transition follows the successful completion of XXI's initial planning phase.

A Strategic Commitment to Bitcoin Integration

The acquisition is framed as a vote of confidence in XXI’s core mission: building a publicly listed company with Bitcoin (BTC) at the center of its operations. Tether has signaled its intent to leverage XXI’s established foundation to accelerate the next stage of development. Industry analysts suggest that this move aligns with Tether's broader diversification strategy, moving beyond stablecoin issuance into infrastructure and asset management.

This move demonstrates Tether's long-term strategic commitment and confidence in XXI's strategy of building a listed company from scratch with Bitcoin at its core.

By consolidating control, Tether aims to streamline the decision-making process as XXI moves toward a potential public listing. The acquisition highlights the growing trend of liquidity providers in the digital asset space taking direct ownership of infrastructure projects to secure the ecosystem's future growth.

Tether’s expansion into XXI underscores the increasing maturation of the blockchain industry, where established players are reinvesting profits into institutional-grade projects. As XXI enters its next developmental cycle, the focus remains on integrating Bitcoin into the traditional financial markets through a transparent, listed corporate entity. The departure of SoftBank marks the end of an era of early-stage incubation, setting the stage for Tether to drive the company’s commercial and technical evolution.