San Salvador / Cryptocurrency - Tether said on Thursday that Richard Heathcote will relinquish his post as chief investment officer to prioritize personal and family matters, while continuing to support the company in a non-executive advisory capacity.
In a company statement, Tether noted that during Heathcote’s time as CIO he established relationships with some of America’s largest financial institutions. The firm described his decision as a step back to focus on family and personal priorities rather than a departure from the organization entirely.
Leadership transition
Heathcote’s deputy, Zachary Lyons, has been named the new CIO. Lyons will be responsible for directing Tether’s investment activity across technologies and infrastructure areas that support the company’s stated long-term vision. The company placed emphasis on continuity by elevating Lyons from within the investment team.
Lyons has already been involved in notable investment decisions made by Tether. He played a role in the company’s purchase of a stake in the Italian football club Juventus. The firm previously submitted Lyons as one of two candidates in October 2025 to be considered for a position on the Juventus board.
Investment footprint
Tether has expanded into venture investing in recent years, building a portfolio that the company’s CEO has said contains more than 120 companies. Among disclosed investments are the stake in Juventus and the acquisition of a South American agricultural firm. Lyons’ promotion places him at the center of managing this diverse venture portfolio.
Scale and standing
Tether is headquartered in El Salvador and is the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. The company has $184 billion worth of dollar-pegged tokens in circulation, according to the figures cited in the company statement.
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