Tether, the issuer of the world's largest stablecoin USDT, is reportedly considering a €1 billion (approximately $1.15 billion) investment in Neura Robotics, a German AI robotics startup. This potential deal signals a major move for Tether as it diversifies beyond digital assets and into the high-growth technology sector.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the investment could value Neura Robotics between €8 billion and €10 billion. If realized, this would represent a significant increase from the company's valuation in January 2025, when it raised €120 million in a Series B funding round.
Neura Robotics, founded in 2019, specializes in developing "cognitive" robots designed to work alongside humans in various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. The company's robots are equipped with advanced sensors, AI-powered software, and machine learning capabilities, enabling them to perceive their environment, adapt to new situations, and perform complex tasks. Neura Robotics is preparing to launch its third-generation 4NE-1 humanoid robot, initially targeting industrial customers with plans to eventually enter the home market. The company aims to produce 5 million robots by 2030.
Tether's interest in Neura Robotics reflects a broader trend of the stablecoin issuer investing in "frontier tech" companies. Tether has been using its substantial cash reserves, generated from income on its holdings, to invest in approximately 140 companies across various sectors, including finance, communication, and now, AI and robotics. In the past year, Neura has announced a series of high-profile industrial and supply chain partnerships, including an "Embodied AI" push with enterprise software giant SAP and NVIDIA. Tether's CEO, Paolo Ardoino, has publicly expressed his belief in the future of AI and robotics, stating that he envisions a future with trillions of AI agents and billions of robots.
The potential investment from Tether would provide Neura Robotics with significant capital to scale production and compete in the increasingly competitive humanoid robotics market. Neura Robotics faces competition from other companies in the field, including Tesla's Optimus, Figure, and Unitree. In January 2025, Neura Robotics reportedly had an order book valued at €1 billion.
Tether's move into AI and robotics aligns with its strategy of diversifying its investments and expanding its reach beyond the cryptocurrency market. The company has also made investments in AI infrastructure, energy, and data infrastructure. In early 2025, Tether secured access to a 20,000-GPU compute network to build its AI research environment. These investments reflect Tether's ambition to build a sustainable digital economy and capitalize on the growth potential of emerging technologies.
The AI robotics market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by advancements in AI, labor shortages, and the increasing demand for automation. The global AI robotics market was valued at $15.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $111.9 billion by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 22.1%. AI-powered robots are being used in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and security, to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety.
While the deal between Tether and Neura Robotics is still under discussion and not yet finalized, it highlights the growing interest in the AI robotics sector and the potential for unconventional sources of capital, such as the crypto industry, to fund the development and scaling of advanced robotics technologies.
