TL;DR
- Former Circle cofounder Sean Neville raises $18M to launch Catena Labs, aiming to create the world’s first AI-native bank.
- The startup plans to overhaul outdated financial pipelines by using AI agents for payments and identity management.
- The seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division and joined by big names like Breyer Capital, Circle Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Tom Brady, underscores strong industry confidence in the vision.
Former Circle co-founder Sean Neville has raised $18 million for his new venture, Catena Labs, which aims to create the world’s first AI-native bank. Neville, who left Circle in early 2020 yet remains on the board, is betting on a future where artificial intelligence takes center stage in financial transactions.
1/8 Big news from Catena Labs! We've secured $18M in funding, led by @a16zcrypto, to build an AI-native financial institution. Why? Because traditional financial systems are unprepared and resistant to AI, hindering the growth of the agent economy.
— Catena Labs (@catena_labs) May 20, 2025
Pioneering Financial Transformation
Drawing on his extensive experience in the crypto space, Neville envisions a financial system designed for a digital era. “There won’t be any humans or businesses executing transactions directly,” he explained. Instead, AI agents will manage everyday financial interactions, performing tasks with speed and precision that traditional systems simply cannot match.
His ambition is to address the inadequacies of outdated financial pipelines by constructing an infrastructure tailored for a future dominated by automated intelligence. Catena Labs is already developing an open-source protocol focused on AI-powered payments and identity management, laying the groundwork for this radical shift in financial operations.
Major Investment Spurs Innovative Approach
The $18 million seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division, shows strong confidence in Neville’s vision. Esteemed backers including Breyer Capital, Circle Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and even football legend Tom Brady have joined the effort.
Investors received not only equity stakes but also attached token warrants, marking an innovative blend of traditional venture backing with crypto-native incentives. Although Neville declined to reveal his startup’s valuation, the significant funding underscores the high expectations for an AI-driven overhaul of financial services.
Redesigning Financial Infrastructure
Catena Labs is positioning itself at the crossroads of artificial intelligence and digital finance. By reimagining the underlying systems that process financial transactions, the startup aims to create a robust, adaptable framework capable of handling the demands of an AI-powered economy.
This venture is not about launching another cryptocurrency or stablecoin but about reinventing how money moves in a world where algorithms, not humans, command the flow of capital. With Catena Labs stepping into the limelight, investors and tech enthusiasts alike are watching closely.
Neville’s latest endeavor promises to pioneer a new chapter in financial innovation, driving the industry toward a future where intelligent agents empower every aspect of commerce.
