Tether Plans $1B Investment in German Robotics Startup Neura
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Tether, the stablecoin giant, is reportedly in discussions to lead a one billion dollar funding round for Neura Robotics, a German startup specializing in AI-powered humanoid robots. This potential deal, as reported by the Financial Times, could value Neura between eight billion and ten billion dollars.
If finalized, this investment would mark a significant increase from Neura's last funding round in January, when the company raised 120 million dollars. Neura's main product focuses on humanoid robots designed for industrial applications, with aspirations to extend their use into home environments.
The company has set an ambitious goal to produce five million robots by the year 2030 and is positioning its technology as a potential breakthrough in robotics, akin to an iPhone moment for the industry.
According to their statement from January, Neura has already secured one billion dollars in orders, highlighting strong market demand for their products. Tether, known for its diverse investment portfolio, has made significant profits this year, totaling over ten billion dollars in the first nine months, primarily through its stablecoin operations which include substantial holdings in U.S.
Treasuries, gold, and bitcoin. The company is also exploring various opportunities in frontier technology sectors, which includes agriculture, brain tech, and sports, alongside this potential investment in Neura.
The interest in humanoid robotics has surged recently, especially as major companies like Nvidia, Tesla, and SoftBank are actively applying generative AI to develop physical machines. Tesla, for instance, aims to produce one million of its Optimus robots by 2030.
Other startups, including 1X, Figure AI, and The Bot Company, are also vying for market share in this burgeoning sector, which Nvidia's CEO has described as a multitrillion-dollar opportunity. This potential investment by Tether could significantly impact the robotics landscape and accelerate the development of humanoid robots across various applications.