Neuralink, founded by Musk, is a neurotechnology company that aims to connect human brains directly to computers via brain-computer interfaces. It’s part of a broader goal to assist individuals with neurological disorders like paralysis or blindness. Musk also imagines that Neuralink could facilitate high-bandwidth communication between humans and machines, potentially merging human cognition with artificial intelligence.

Tether’s strategic investment of $200 million in Blackrock Neurotech in April 2024 made it the majority stakeholder in the company, which was established in 2008 by scientists and brain-computer interface (BCI) pioneers Dr. Florian Solzbacher and Marcus Gerhardt at the University of Utah. Blackrock Neurotech’s technology has already enabled patients to control robotic arms, wheelchairs, send messages, surf the internet, and even drive a car using only their thoughts, according to Tether.

“In my opinion, they are significantly more advanced than Neuralink at this point,” Ardoino stated to The Block. “They already have over 40 patients. The next generation of the brainchip is just incredible.”

Like Musk, Ardoino also dreams of developing a unique “brain operating system” in the future. “What I want to do to set us apart from everyone else is to build an open-source brain operating system. I believe that this will be the next smartphone in the next 15 to 30 years,” he expressed.

“We might be on time to build an open-source technology that ensures no one is controlled by a tech giant. I’m a cautious person, so I want to make sure that everyone is on a level playing field,” he added.

In recent years, Tether, which generated a profit of roughly $13 billion in 2024 with a team of fewer than 200 and now holds over 100,000 BTC ($10 billion), has been assertively investing in a range of projects beyond stablecoins in various sectors, including artificial intelligence, telecommunications, data centers, energy infrastructure, and bitcoin mining.

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By January, Neuralink had already successfully implanted their device in three quadriplegic patients. These individuals are currently testing a small brain implant, as part of the PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) study, which records neural activity to control a computer or smartphone.

Neuralink is among various companies and academic institutions globally that are exploring and testing brain-computer interfaces. These range from small wire-like implants used in clinical trials to non-invasive devices that resemble a hat.

The PRIME study, as described on Neuralink’s website, will span approximately six years and targets quadriplegics with a spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to use their thoughts to control a computer. Musk, who also heads Tesla and is the Trump administration’s cost-cutting czar, envisions Neuralink as more than a tool for thought-controlled computing. He aims to “provide individuals with superpowers.”

Neuralink’s pioneer patient, Noland Arbaugh, reported zero side effects, either physical or psychological, a year after receiving his brain implant. Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, showcased his brain chip’s capabilities by controlling a computer cursor to play chess and surf the internet. He now uses his brain chip “for a wide variety of tasks” and estimates that he uses it for more than 10 hours daily.

Arbaugh revealed that Neuralink’s researchers are “working on controlling a wheelchair with the implant,” but he won’t use it “unless it’s nearly perfect. It benefits everyone if I don’t lose control and crash into traffic.” With the help of Neuralink’s implant, Arbaugh has secured employment as a traveling keynote speaker, which allows him to write, research, and communicate online. “The hope and purpose this technology has given me are immeasurable,” he noted. “It won’t be long before the implant is used by dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of people.”

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