Katie Haun raises $1 billion and expands into AI agents
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 4
Katie Haun raises $1 billion and expands into AI agents
13 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 4
The Haun Ventures capital is split evenly between early-stage and later-stage funds and is due to be invested over the next two to three years.
The firm will keep backing crypto and blockchain companies while broadening globally into startups spanning financial services, artificial intelligence and alternative assets.
Haun, a former Andreessen Horowitz general partner and federal prosecutor, built her profile investigating digital assets before becoming a crypto investor.
With a prosecutor at the helm, will Haun Ventures tame crypto's wild west or fuel its growth?
Does the rise of billion-dollar 'scaled venture' funds ultimately help or hinder true startup innovation?
In a disciplined market, can a $1B fund for AI and crypto avoid the risk of overvaluation?
The $1.8B Mastercard-BVNK Acquisition and AI-Crypto Convergence Fuel a $17.9T Global Payments Shift
Overview
In May 2024, Mastercard acquired BVNK for $1.8 billion, securing key stablecoin technology that enables seamless cross-chain and fiat transactions, after Coinbase abandoned a higher bid. This move aims to enhance Mastercard's cross-border and B2B payments, reflecting a broader trend of traditional finance giants integrating stablecoins, as seen with Stripe's earlier Bridge acquisition. Haun Ventures, a major crypto investor, launched a $1 billion fund focused on the AI-crypto convergence, driven by growing demand from AI agents for instant, high-volume micro-payments powered by stablecoins. Regulatory clarity advanced in 2026 with SEC/CFTC guidance and the CLARITY Act compromise, while global enforcement of EU's MiCA adds complexity. Together, these developments signal a transformative shift toward AI-driven, programmable payment infrastructure shaping the future of global finance.