Paradigm, a venture capital firm long synonymous with being one of the crypto industry’s biggest backers, has just closed its fourth fund at $1.2 billion (around Rp19.5 trillion). However, there is a twist: the mega-fund’s primary focus is no longer exclusively on crypto.
The San Francisco-based firm stated that its new fund will expand investments into artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and a range of other frontier technologies. “Our approach is to stay close to the core - researching, building, and investing alongside founders, first in crypto, and now expanding into AI, robotics, and other frontiers,” the company wrote.
Eight Years of Betting on Crypto, Now Turning to AI
Founded in 2018 by Matt Huang and Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, Paradigm grew to become one of the largest venture investors in the crypto world. Previously, the firm raised a $2.5 billion crypto fund in 2021 and an $850 million early-stage blockchain fund in 2024, bringing the total raised across its first three funds to over $4 billion.
On the crypto side, Paradigm is known for backing decentralized exchange Hyperliquid, prediction market platform Kalshi, and Tempo - a stablecoin-focused blockchain co-founded with Stripe. Now, however, its portfolio has broadened to include autonomous drone developer Zipline, space defense startup True Anomaly, and AI company Nous Research.
A Signal of Where “Smart Money” Is Flowing
Paradigm’s move is not an isolated case, but rather part of a broader trend. Firms like Framework Ventures and Haun Ventures have also previously expanded into AI. The data speaks clearly: global venture funding reached a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with AI companies - led by OpenAI and Anthropic at the forefront - absorbing over 40% of that capital inflow. In comparison, the crypto sector captured only around $10.8 billion.
For retail crypto investors, this shift in focus among heavyweight backers is worth watching closely. When a firm that built its reputation on crypto starts dividing its attention toward AI and robotics, it signals where the biggest growth opportunities are being wagered today - while serving as a reminder that the line between crypto and AI is increasingly blurring.
Source: Cointelegraph.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
