Paradigm raises $1.2B as crypto VC pushes into AI and robotics

Paradigm has raised $1.2 billion for its fourth fund, extending one of crypto venture capital’s biggest names into a wider set of technology markets. The firm said the new vehicle will back builders working in crypto, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other areas near the edge of current software and hardware development.

Co-founder Matt Huang and managing partner Alana Palmedo announced the new fund on July 8, 2026. Paradigm said it began in 2018 with a focus on frontier markets and will now invest “first in crypto” while also expanding across AI and robotics. The company presented the move as a broader mandate, not a retreat from digital assets

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Crypto remains part of Paradigm’s plan

Paradigm said it will “continue investing in crypto” and in companies that work on markets and financial systems. It named Hyperliquid, Kalshi, and Tempo among examples linked to that strategy. Hyperliquid operates in crypto derivatives, Kalshi focuses on prediction markets, and Tempo is a stablecoin and agent-friendly blockchain project co-founded with Stripe.

The firm also pointed to its internal work on blockchain tools and security. Foundry and Reth remain part of its open-source work, while Paradigm built EVMbench with OpenAI to test AI agents for smart contract security. These projects show that Paradigm still uses research and software development to support crypto infrastructure.

AI and robotics widen the mandate

Paradigm’s fourth fund also gives the firm more room to back companies outside blockchain. The announcement named Zipline, SendCutSend, True Anomaly, and Nous Research as examples of companies it has supported across drone delivery, rapid manufacturing, space defense, and open AI.

That wider scope follows a larger change across venture capital. AI has drawn large funding rounds in 2026, while crypto investors have started to look for deals where blockchain can support automated payments, data markets, trading, and identity. Paradigm’s line that it is investing across “AI, robotics, and other frontiers” puts the firm inside that wider trend.

Crypto VC follows the AI agent theme

Paradigm is not the only crypto-linked investor moving this way. Framework Ventures closed a $400 million fourth fund in June for crypto, AI, robotics, and energy startups. Haun Ventures also raised $1 billion in May for crypto infrastructure, tokenization, and AI agents.

The common theme is not a full break from crypto. These funds are trying to place capital where digital assets, stablecoins, and machine-led software may overlap. AI agents are one example because they may need payment rails, identity checks, and settlement systems that can run with little manual action.

Paradigm’s new fund arrives as venture money has moved toward a smaller group of AI companies. Crunchbase reported record global startup funding in the first half of 2026, with OpenAI and Anthropic taking more than 40% of the total. That helps explain why crypto funds are watching AI closely.

The raise also gives Paradigm more capital to compete for founders across several fast-moving sectors. Its message to builders was direct: “come build with us.” It also gives founders a larger capital source during a more selective crypto funding cycle. For crypto, the key point is that one of its largest venture backers is now positioning blockchain as part of a broader frontier technology strategy.