Tether, a leading company in the cryptocurrency industry, recently announced its investment in the Italian robotics startup Generative Bionics. This investment comes amidst the increasing popularity of humanoid robotics and marks a significant step for Tether into the world of physical infrastructure development.
Generative Bionics, known for its innovative “Physical AI” systems that combine humanoid robotics with artificial intelligence, aims to revolutionize various sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail. The company is set to introduce its humanoid robots to the market, proudly carrying the “Made in Italy” label, at the CES event in Las Vegas in 2026.
Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of Tether, emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in technologies that enhance global infrastructure and human capabilities. He sees humanoid robotics and Physical AI as pivotal advancements that will redefine intelligence and functionality in real-world applications.
Tether’s investment in Generative Bionics is part of a larger funding round totaling €70 million (US$81 million), led by the Artificial Intelligence Fund of CDP Venture Capital. Other notable participants in the investment include AMD Ventures, Duferco, Eni Next, and RoboIT, indicating a strong backing from industry experts.
Generative Bionics was established in 2024 as a spinoff from the Italian Institute of Technology, where decades of research in humanoid robotics paved the way for its formation. The company boasts a team of engineers dedicated to transforming research into practical robots tailored for diverse industries, ushering in a new era of collaboration between humans and intelligent robots.
The field of humanoid robotics has garnered significant attention from investors, with companies like Figure AI and Bedrock Robotics securing substantial funding in recent years. Forecasts by Morgan Stanley suggest that the market for humanoid systems could grow to $5 trillion by 2050, driven by demand in logistics and manufacturing industries.
By investing in Generative Bionics, Tether is not only diversifying its portfolio beyond cryptocurrencies but also supporting cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to shape the future of automation and artificial intelligence.
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