Tether Investments Fuels Humanoid Robotics Innovation with €70 Million Backing for Generative Bionics
Tether’s Bold Leap into Humanoid Robotics: Backing Generative Bionics
In an exciting development within the tech landscape, Tether has made a significant move into humanoid robotics by investing in Italy-based startup Generative Bionics. This backing comes as part of a €70 million (around USD $81 million) funding round, announced on a Monday and aimed at advancing Generative Bionics’ ambitious plans.
A Future Filled with ‘Physical AI’
Generative Bionics has positioned itself at the intersection of humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence, calling its systems “Physical AI.” This innovative blend highlights the potential of robotics to augment human capabilities in various fields, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and retail. Tether’s investment is set to help the startup complete crucial industrial tests and prepare its first production site ahead of the planned deployment of its humanoid systems by 2026.
Not only does this investment signal Tether’s foray beyond its traditional stablecoin business, but it also shows a growing interest in hardware and infrastructure. The blockchain company is diversifying its portfolio to include technologies such as AI, media tools, agricultural technology, and brain-computer interface research.
A Strong Cohort of Investors
Joining Tether in this funding round are several other prominent investors. The Artificial Intelligence Fund of CDP Venture Capital, which led the funding deal, as well as AMD Ventures, Duferco, Eni Next of Eni, and RoboIT have all contributed to this push into robotics. This diversified investment base places Generative Bionics among a select group of robotics companies aiming to commercialize humanoid systems on a larger scale.
Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, emphasized the importance of supporting technologies that enhance both digital and physical infrastructure, stating, “Humanoid robotics and Physical AI represent a powerful evolution in how intelligence and capability operate in the real world.”
The Origins of Generative Bionics
Founded in 2024 as a spin-off from the Italian Institute of Technology, Generative Bionics benefits from decades of research, with engineers on the team developing over 60 humanoid prototypes during that time. Seventy skilled engineers have transitioned from the institute to the startup, where they are charged with converting this extensive research into commercially viable robots set to revolutionize various industries.
With aspirations to be a contributing force to the “Made in Italy” technology initiative, Generative Bionics plans to unveil its first complete robot at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
The Rise of Robotics
The robotics industry is anticipated to experience rapid expansion over the next five years, driven by increasing demand for automation and productivity improvements across sectors. Recent data from GlobalData suggests that the market could grow from approximately USD $90 billion in 2024 to over USD $160 billion by 2029, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 12-15%. Meanwhile, Mordor Intelligence anticipates even faster growth, predicting that robotics spending could exceed USD $185 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of over 20%.
Investment in humanoid robotics surged significantly in 2025, with companies like Figure AI raising USD $675 million and Bedrock Robotics securing USD $80 million. Such confidence among investors underlines a clear trend towards automation solutions that support productivity goals across industries.
Conclusion
Tether’s decision to invest in Generative Bionics stands as a bold statement about the future of technology, combining financial acumen with a visionary approach to robotics. As the industry moves towards implementing more intelligent humanoids in everyday settings, the potential for transformation across various sectors is vast. The road ahead is filled with possibilities, and as we approach the era of humanoid robots, the time for innovation is now.
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