Coinbase's Brian Armstrong Bets Big on Longer Life

Brian Armstrong, the CEO and co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange giant Coinbase, is making waves beyond the digital asset realm. His longevity startup, NewLimit, has just announced a substantial $130 million Series B funding round, valuing the company at a significant $810 million, according to an announcement .. This fresh capital injection, led by Kleiner Perkins, will fuel NewLimit's ambitious goal of extending human lifespan by reprogramming human genes.

NewLimit's approach centers on epigenetics, aiming to target specific proteins within cells to reverse the effects of aging and restore youthful cellular function. Armstrong, whose personal wealth soared following Coinbase's IPO in 2021, views aging as a critical, yet often normalized, human tragedy.

“Fifty-six million people die every year from aging; in any other context, that would be the largest source of human tragedy,” Armstrong told Bloomberg .

He believes that by focusing on restoring the functionality of younger cells, particularly in areas like the immune system, treatments could significantly improve health outcomes and extend life for millions.

While human trials are still years away, NewLimit is actively experimenting with liver and immune system cells, with plans to broaden their research. Armstrong has drawn inspiration from the rapid advancements in mRNA therapeutics during the COVID-19 pandemic and the swift adoption of GLP-1 drugs, suggesting a belief in the potential for similarly transformative breakthroughs in longevity research.

Armstrong is not alone in this pursuit. A growing number of tech billionaires have turned their attention and fortunes towards extending human lifespan. This fascination often stems from a combination of factors: a desire to solve fundamental human challenges, the financial capacity to fund high-risk, high-reward research, and perhaps a personal interest in pushing the boundaries of human potential.

Other notable figures in the tech world who have ventured into longevity include Jeff Bezos, who reportedly invested in Altos Labs , a well-funded biotech company also focused on cellular reprogramming. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has also publicly expressed interest in and supported longevity research . Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has donated an estimated $336 million into this field, including to SENS Research Foundation, Impetus Grants, and $25 million in SHIB to the Future of Life Institute in 2021 alongside his longevity fund donation of $130,000, according to aging research news site Lifespan.io.

These ventures, often shrouded in secrecy in their early stages, reflect a belief that scientific advancements can dramatically alter the aging process. While still nascent, this area of research holds the promise of revolutionary medical breakthroughs that could redefine human health and lifespan.