December 8, 2025 – Tether Investments today announced an investment in Generative Bionics, the largest spin-off in the history of IIT (Italian Institute of Technology) and one of the largest research spin-offs in Europe, to support the development of a new generation of intelligent humanoid robots built for industrial-scale performance, human-centered interaction, and advanced artificial intelligence. The investment, made alongside other major investors as part of a €70 million funding round, reflects Tether's strategy to expand its footprint and investments in technologies that strengthen global digital and physical infrastructure and advance human potential.
Generative Bionics leverages 20 years of robotics research conducted at the Italian Institute of Technology, where more than 60 advanced humanoid robot prototypes have been designed, tested, improved, successfully delivered, and provided as test platforms to robotics research centers around the world. The company holds exclusive licenses to key technologies developed with IIT and corporate partners. It has integrated around 70 engineers and AI scientists from IITs into its technology department, supported by experts in industrialization, certification and manufacturing. Together, this initial core team brings over 600 years of combined experience in physical AI and robotics to the company. With this solid foundation, Generative Bionics is in a position to translate Italian scientific excellence into real-world physical AI capabilities and support the broader global robotics ecosystem.
Tether's investment will support the development of physical AI systems and edge AI solutions, accelerating industrial validation of the company's humanoid platform, development of initial production facilities, and integration into the broader robotics ecosystem. Generative Bionics is preparing an initial industrial implementation program, expected to be announced in early 2026, that will bring Italian-made humanoid robots into operational environments across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail and other high-demand sectors. These systems combine robotics and artificial intelligence and are designed to improve safety, efficiency and productivity, in line with Tether's commitment to fostering technologies that contribute to a more resilient global infrastructure.
Tether's philosophy is rooted in the belief that technology should enhance human freedom, strengthen societal resilience, and operate independently of centralized corporate and political control. The company prioritizes systems that are open, transparent, and able to serve people and organizations without requiring trust in centralized intermediaries. This philosophy guides Tether's expansion into technologies that improve global infrastructure, increase the autonomy of individuals and communities, and make the benefits of advanced innovation widely available. Tether's investment reflects its commitment to developing tools that advance human potential while maintaining the principles of openness, security, and decentralization that define its mission.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said:“Tether is investing in technologies that strengthen global digital and physical infrastructure and expand human potential. Humanoid robotics and physical AI represent a powerful evolution in the way intelligence and capabilities are operationalized in the real world. Generative Bionics is building one of the most advanced platforms from Europe, and we are proud to support the team that is turning Italian scientific leadership into global industrial impact.”
Tether's support for generative bionics builds on its broader strategy to support emerging technologies that expand human potential while reducing dependence on centralized systems overseen by Big Tech. This includes recent AI efforts such as Blackrock Neurotech's investment in brain-computer interfaces and Tether's collaboration with Northern Data and Rumble to deploy a 20,000 GPU global computing network for open, privacy-preserving AI development.
Analysts predict that the size of the humanoid robot sector could exceed 200 billion euros by 2035 and 5 trillion euros by 2050. Physical AI is expected to become a foundational layer across supply chains, essential services, and next-generation industrial systems as industries adopt advanced automation to meet growing global demand. Tether's investment supports this evolution while expanding the company's reach into innovative technologies that align with its mission to power an open, resilient and innovative global infrastructure.
The first fully humanoid robot concept developed by Generative Bionics will make its international debut at CES in Las Vegas.
About Tether Investment
Tether Investments is the independent investment arm of Tether, the largest digital asset company. The El Salvador-based company deploys capital from Tether's profits and excess reserves across a wide range of sectors at the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and real-world utilities.
Its portfolio includes investments in artificial intelligence, financial services, energy, biotechnology, education and digital media, as well as strategic stakes in industries such as commodities, remittances, and sports and entertainment. Tether Investments supports ventures with long-term potential to improve access, efficiency and resilience in both emerging and developed markets. Its efforts support Tether Group's broader mission to strengthen decentralized systems, promote infrastructure resiliency, and expand real-world access to open and transparent technology.
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking in nature. The words “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “could,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “predict” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, anticipated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, neither Tether nor any other person (including Generative Bionics) undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
