Tether invests $200 million to reach ‘ultimate’ goal of putting computers in people’s brain Tether invests $200 million to reach ‘ultimate’ goal of putting computers in people’s brain
Tether unveils new venture division with an investment in brain-computer interface technology, aiming to revolutionize neurological health and human potential.
2 min read
Updated: Apr. 29, 2024 at 3:56 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Tether, the largest company in the digital asset industry, has announced a strategic investment of $200 million into Blackrock Neurotech, a leading pioneer in Brain-Computer-Interface (BCI) technology. This significant move marks the unveiling of Tether’s new venture division, Tether Evo, which CEO Paolo Ardoino describes as “the ultimate pillar of its long-term vision and strategy.”
Ardoino emphasized Tether’s commitment to investing in technologies that improve people’s lives, stating, “We believe in the importance of giving back, investing in technologies that improve the lives of people.” He highlighted the company’s proven ethos with its stablecoin, USDt, in the finance sector and expressed Tether’s aim to repeat this success by supporting peer-to-peer technologies and AI infrastructure through partnerships with companies like Holepunch, Keet, Pears, and Northern Data.
Ardoino described Tether Evo as a natural step in the company’s evolution, with a focus on human potential. He stated,
“We want to help the millions of people around the world afflicted with paralysis, lost function, and neurological disorders that prevent them from walking, seeing, hearing, feeling, or talking.”
The investment in Blackrock Neurotech aligns with this mission, as the company’s implants have demonstrated remarkable capabilities, such as enabling thoughts to text at 90 characters per minute, thoughts to speech at 62 words per minute, direct interaction with computers, control of robotic limbs, restoration of sensation, and enhanced brain-to-device communication.
Blackrock Neurotech has already made headlines with its groundbreaking technology. In 2016, patient Nathan Copeland used a Blackrock BCI to control a robotic arm and fist bump then-U.S. President Barack Obama, even “feeling” the President’s hand through implants in his sensory cortex. The company’s technology has also allowed patients to operate robotic arms, maneuver wheelchairs, send messages, surf the web, and drive a car using only the power of their thoughts.
This investment comes amidst Tether’s recent expansion and diversification efforts. The company, which now boasts a market cap of over $109 billion and holds a significant position in US Treasury bills, is venturing into sectors such as peer-to-peer communications, Bitcoin mining, education, and artificial intelligence. Tether has introduced a new multi-divisional framework consisting of Tether Data, Tether Finance, Tether Power, and Tether Edu, each focusing on different aspects of fostering decentralized, resilient financial systems and promoting financial inclusion.
Ardoino emphasized that Tether Evo is a long-term journey, stating, “Step by step. We are unstoppable together.” The company’s investment in Blackrock Neurotech and its broader vision for Tether Evo demonstrate its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in human potential and technological advancement.
Tether continues to evolve and expand its reach; the crypto community and beyond will be closely watching to see how the company’s initiatives, particularly in the biotech sector, will shape the future of finance, technology, and human progress.
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Author 
Liam 'Akiba' Wright
Also known as "Akiba," Liam Wright is a reporter, podcast producer, and Editor-in-Chief at CryptoSlate. He believes that decentralized technology has the potential to make widespread positive change.
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Launched in 2014, Tether is a blockchain-enabled platform designed to facilitate the use of fiat currencies in a digital manner.
Tether Limited
Tether Limited is the company that introduced Tether (USD₮ or USDT), an asset-backed cryptocurrency stablecoin, in 2014.
Paolo Ardoino joined Bitfinex at the beginning of 2015 and now serves as Chief Technology Officer.