Key facts
- Tether is reportedly leading a significant investment round in German robotics firm Neura.
- The investment is estimated to be between €1 billion ($1.2 billion) and €1.15 billion ($1.4 billion).
- The funding aims to scale Neura's production of its 4NE-1 humanoid robot.
- Neura plans to integrate Tether's crypto wallet technology into its robotic systems.
- Tether's investment aligns with its broader strategy of diversifying into "frontier tech" sectors like AI and robotics.
Tether, the issuer of the world's largest stablecoin, is reportedly leading a substantial investment round in German robotics firm Neura Robotics, with reports indicating an investment of approximately €1 billion ($1.2 billion) to €1.15 billion ($1.4 billion). This capital injection is intended to fuel Neura's transition from research and development to the large-scale industrialization of its flagship 4NE-1 humanoid robot.
The funding follows months of speculation and would represent a significant step for Neura, which aims to produce 5 million robots by 2030 for both industrial and household tasks. The company's strategy centers on the Neuraverse, an AI-driven ecosystem designed to serve as a universal "brain" for its machines, and has seen real-world testing through pilots with SAP for autonomous warehouse picking.
Neura has strategically decentralized its operations, with R&D in Zurich, manufacturing partnerships in India and China, and secured component supply from industrial giant Schaeffler. This investment aligns with Tether's broader strategy of diversifying its significant profits into "frontier tech" sectors, including AI, data startups, and robotics, reflecting CEO Paolo Ardoino's belief in the future proliferation of AI agents and robots.
While neither Tether nor Neura has officially confirmed the deal, sources suggest discussions are ongoing. The investment would place Neura in direct competition with companies like Tesla in the rapidly evolving humanoid robotics market. Neura's previous funding rounds include nearly $140 million in January from investors such as BlueCrest and Volvo Cars Tech Fund.