Tether Leverages Stablecoin Profits to Fuel AI and Commodity Empire

Tether, the issuer of the world's largest stablecoin, is making a bold foray into robotics and commodity lending, signaling a strategic shift beyond its core stablecoin operations. The company is in advanced discussions to lead a €1 billion ($1.16 billion) funding round for Neura Robotics, a German startup developing AI-powered humanoid robots, which would value the firm at €8 billion to €10 billion. Neura, which has already secured €1 billion in orders and aims to produce 5 million robots by 2030, is positioning itself as a potential "iPhone moment" for robotics according to market analysts. The investment aligns with Tether's broader diversification strategy, as the firm reported over $10 billion in profits for the first nine months of 2025.

Tether's interest in Neura underscores growing demand for AI-driven automation. The startup's humanoid robots initially target industrial applications but plan to expand into consumer markets, competing with companies like Tesla and SoftBank according to industry reports. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has separately emphasized his focus on decentralized AI initiatives, including an internal team working on open-source machine learning according to Bloomberg. The deal also reflects Tether's appetite for high-growth tech sectors, following investments in data centers and energy infrastructure.

Simultaneously, Tether is expanding its commodity-lending operations, having deployed $1.5 billion in credit to traders through its Trade Finance unit according to industry sources. Ardoino described the move as a "dramatic" expansion, targeting markets such as agriculture and oil. By offering loans in both U.S. dollars and its USDT stablecoin, Tether aims to capitalize on the growing adoption of digital assets in emerging markets, where traditional banks often retreat from riskier ventures according to financial analysts. The firm's $200 billion in reserves, including $12 billion in gold holdings, provides the liquidity to challenge established players in commodity finance according to investment reports.

Tether's aggressive diversification strategy is fueled by the profitability of its stablecoin business. With nearly $184 billion in USDT in circulation, the company has transformed from a crypto utility into a multifaceted financial entity according to market analysis. Beyond robotics and commodities, Tether has invested in agriculture, sports, and tokenized securities, while also exploring a $20 billion capital raise that could value it at $500 billion according to industry sources. However, regulatory scrutiny looms as it ventures into traditional sectors, with bodies like the U.S. SEC and European Central Bank closely monitoring its activities according to financial reports.

The robotics investment and lending push highlight Tether's ambition to leverage its stablecoin liquidity for real-world applications. While challenges remain-such as scaling robot production and overcoming hesitancy toward stablecoin loans-the company's financial strength and strategic vision position it to reshape industries from manufacturing to global trade according to market analysts.