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May 20, 2025 – Catena Labs, a startup pioneering the development of the first AI-native financial institution, has announced an $18 million seed funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Notable investors include Breyer Capital, Circle Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and several prominent angel investors, including Tom Brady. This funding will be used to build a regulated financial infrastructure designed specifically for the needs of AI agents and their human collaborators.
Recognizing the limitations of traditional financial systems in accommodating the rapidly evolving agent economy, Catena Labs is creating a secure and efficient platform for AI agents to manage finances and conduct transactions. The company's offerings include the open-source Agent Commerce Kit (ACK), providing foundational components for AI agent identity and payments.
"AI agents are rapidly evolving into powerful economic participants," said Sean Neville, co-founder and CEO of Catena Labs and a co-founder of Circle. "They need to hold assets, execute payments, and conduct a range of financial transactions. Today's financial systems are simply not built for this new reality."
Key Features and Benefits of Catena Labs' Platform:
- AI-Native Infrastructure: Designed specifically for the unique needs of AI agents.
- Secure Identity Management: Enables AI agents to securely identify themselves for financial transactions.
- Efficient Transactions: Facilitates fast and low-cost transactions for AI agents.
- Regulatory Compliance: Built with a focus on regulatory compliance and risk management.
- Open-Source Tools: Offers the Agent Commerce Kit (ACK) for developers to build AI-powered financial applications.
- AI-Native Money: Exploring the use of regulated stablecoins for AI transactions.
- Bridging Traditional Finance: Creates connections to existing banking rails and payment systems.
Addressing the Challenges of the Agent Economy:
Catena Labs aims to address the limitations of current financial systems, which are often slow, expensive, and inflexible for the speed and scale of AI-driven transactions. The company's platform is designed to support the growth and development of the agent economy.
Experienced Leadership:
Catena Labs is led by Sean Neville, a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong background in fintech and cryptocurrency. His experience as co-founder of Circle brings valuable expertise to the company.
Investor Confidence:
The significant investment from leading venture capital firms and prominent angel investors demonstrates strong confidence in Catena Labs' vision and potential.
Compiled by CMO Intern team
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