Tom Brady is making a careful return to the cryptocurrency space, this time aligning with the rapidly growing convergence of artificial intelligence and digital finance.
The Boston-based business Catena Labs, which the former NFL star is supporting, plans to create what it claims is the first AI-native financial institution in history.
Front Office Sports claims that Catena Labs is investigating the idea of “agentic commerce,” in which self-governing AI agents handle and carry out financial transactions on behalf of users.
Brady’s Catena Bet Signals Cautious Shift Toward Crypto Innovation
Brady’s perspective on cryptocurrency changed after the FTX collapse, when he was one of the well-known celebrity endorsers, and this new endeavor reflects that change.
His investment in Catena points to a fresh, albeit cautious, optimism that prioritizes usefulness and innovation over hype.
The goal of the firm is to meet the increasing need for automated, intelligent financial services that minimize human intervention and friction.
If successful, Catena’s AI agents have the potential to revolutionize how people deal with their money by providing personalized, self-governing tools for investing, saving, and dealing.
Brady’s participation not only raises awareness of the initiative but also conveys faith in the wider convergence of decentralized finance and artificial intelligence, two of the most revolutionary technologies influencing the direction of the digital economy.
Also Read: Circle Co-Founder’s Catena Labs Receives $18 Million Funding To Build AI-Native Bank
Catena Secured $18M Seed Funding Led by a16zcrypto
Catena previously saw $18 million in seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division, a16zcrypto.
Catena Labs’ funding round attracted significant backing from major players in the crypto and tech industries, including Circle Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Stanford Engineering Venture Fund, and Breyer Capital.
High-profile angel investors such as former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan, ex-Google VP Bradley Horowitz, and Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin also joined the round, signaling strong confidence in the startup’s vision.
Brady’s First Crypto Move Was with Now-Collapsed Exchange FTX
Tom Brady, widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, won seven Super Bowl titles during his 23-season career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Beyond football, Brady ventured into the crypto world through a high-profile partnership with FTX, a now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange.
He appeared in marketing campaigns and held equity in the company, which collapsed in 2022, wiping out billions in customer funds and triggering a major crisis in the crypto industry.
The fallout affected several celebrities tied to FTX, including comedian Larry David, who starred in a Super Bowl ad for the exchange. Brady’s latest investment marks a more cautious return, focusing on innovation over hype.
Also Read: Rotterdam-Based Crypto Asset Manager Blockrise Secures $2.6 Million In Funding Round