Italy's sovereign lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) announced it will lift its Nexi holding from 19.1% to just under 30%, crossing the trigger for a mandatory offer under Italian law. The move, executed via derivatives and market purchases, stops private‑equity group CVC from pursuing a take‑private and makes CDP the largest shareholder.

CVC had floated a third bid to carve out Nexi's banking‑infrastructure unit, a segment Rome deems vital for national security. Hellman & Friedman, currently at about 23%, signaled willingness to sell if a credible offer appeared. Nexi's stock jumped more than 5% on the news, reflecting investor relief that a foreign PE firm will not gain control amid a sector under pressure from fintech rivals and fee‑cut demands.

CDP frames Nexi as a cornerstone of Italy's financial infrastructure, citing its €1.8 trn of processed digital transactions across 25 countries. The lender aims to shape Nexi into a European champion, leveraging the expanded stake to steer strategic growth. With CDP now the dominant owner, Nexi will pursue a broader European role under state‑aligned guidance.