Foundation has raised $6.4 million in a funding spherical led by Fulgur Ventures because it launches Passport Prime, a brand new {hardware} gadget designed to safe digital actions in an period of AI-driven automation.
The Boston-based firm mentioned the spherical included participation from Arche Capital and brings its whole funding to $16.5 million, in keeping with a be aware shared with Bitcoin Journal.
The capital will help enlargement past Bitcoin self-custody into id administration, multi-factor authentication, and authorization methods for AI brokers.
Passport Prime, which started transport to pre-order clients in March 2026, is now accessible for basic buy. Foundation describes the product as the primary instance of “Human Authority Hardware,” a class of gadgets meant to make sure that vital digital actions require direct human approval by remoted, safe {hardware}.
The launch displays a shift in safety issues as AI brokers achieve the power to execute duties throughout monetary accounts, cloud methods, and enterprise instruments. Foundation argues that current approval strategies — similar to browser prompts or cell notifications — can not function trusted checkpoints when the identical surroundings could host autonomous software program.
Chief govt Zach Herbert mentioned the rise of AI brokers creates a brand new type of key administration problem. He argued that authorization should transfer to unbiased {hardware} with a verifiable show and working system, moderately than stay inside software program environments that may be compromised.
Passport Prime particulars
Passport Prime combines a number of capabilities right into a single gadget, together with a Bitcoin {hardware} pockets, FIDO authentication keys, two-factor authentication storage, a secrets and techniques vault, and 50GB of encrypted storage. The gadget is designed to behave as a central approval layer for transactions, credential use, and knowledge entry.
The product runs on KeyOS, a Rust-based microkernel working system developed by Foundation over three years. KeyOS is open supply and features a communication system referred to as QuantumLink, which makes use of post-quantum cryptographic requirements similar to ML-KEM alongside ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption on a devoted Bluetooth chip.
Foundation can also be opening its KeyOS developer platform to exterior builders. The platform features a software program improvement package, documentation, command-line instruments, and a simulator that permits builders to check purposes with out bodily {hardware}. A developer unit may be requested for real-device testing.
The corporate plans to introduce a KeyOS app retailer by the tip of the second quarter, aiming to create a distribution channel for security-focused purposes constructed on the platform. Use instances embrace Bitcoin transaction insurance policies, id verification instruments, enterprise signing methods, and approval workflows for AI brokers.
Chief know-how officer Ken Carpenter mentioned the platform shifts {hardware} from a static key storage instrument right into a programmable safety layer. He framed KeyOS as a basis for purposes that execute coverage inside trusted {hardware} moderately than counting on exterior software program controls.
Cake Pockets is the primary exterior associate constructing on KeyOS, providing a chilly storage utility to its consumer base of multiple million. Foundation expects additional integrations throughout monetary providers, id methods, and AI workflows by 2026.
Passport Prime is priced from $349 and is on the market by Foundation’s web site. The corporate positions the gadget as a management level for human decision-making as software program methods achieve higher autonomy.
