Faraday Future’s Bold Crypto and AI Pivot Amid EV Struggles

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Aug 18, 2025

Faraday Future bets big on crypto and AI to revive its struggling EV business. Will a $30M treasury and tokenized car sales spark a comeback? Click to find out...

Financial market analysis from 18/08/2025. Market conditions may have changed since publication.

Have you ever wondered what happens when a company, once hailed as the next big thing, hits a wall and decides to rewrite its future? That’s exactly what’s unfolding with Faraday Future, an electric vehicle (EV) startup that’s been through the wringer but is now betting on a bold new path. Struggling to deliver on its promise of luxury EVs, the company is diving headfirst into cryptocurrency and embodied AI, hoping to spark a comeback that could redefine its place in the automotive and tech worlds. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and I can’t help but feel a mix of skepticism and intrigue about whether this pivot will pay off.

A New Direction for a Struggling EV Pioneer

Faraday Future, once tipped to rival Tesla, has faced a rocky road. With only a handful of vehicles delivered and a string of setbacks, the company is now looking beyond traditional automotive strategies to stay afloat. Their latest move? A deep dive into the worlds of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, blending these cutting-edge fields with their EV ambitions. It’s a fascinating shift, one that feels like a leap into the unknown, but perhaps that’s exactly what Faraday needs to shake things up.

The Crypto Treasury: A $30 Million Bet

At the heart of Faraday Future’s new strategy is the launch of the C10 Treasury, a bold initiative to invest heavily in cryptocurrencies. The company plans to kick things off with a $30 million purchase of digital assets, with ambitions to scale this to a staggering $10 billion in the long term. This isn’t just a side project—it’s a core part of their plan to generate revenue through staking yields, which they estimate could yield 3% to 5% annually. These returns, they hope, will fund innovation, support stock buybacks, and strengthen their financial position.

The next decade could be a super long bull cycle for the crypto market.

– Faraday Future Co-Creation Officer

The treasury will focus on a C10 Index, a market-cap-weighted basket of the top 10 cryptocurrencies, excluding stablecoins. By allocating 80% of the fund to this index and actively managing the remaining 20%, Faraday aims to balance stability with the potential for higher returns. It’s a strategy that screams ambition, but I can’t help wondering: is this the right move for a company already struggling to deliver cars? Only time will tell if this crypto bet pays off or becomes a costly distraction.


Tokenized Car Sales: Merging Blockchain with EVs

Beyond the treasury, Faraday Future is exploring a groundbreaking concept: tokenized vehicle sales. Through their upcoming EAI Vehicle Chain, the company plans to enable customers to purchase vehicles using cryptocurrency and even tokenize the sales process itself. This blockchain-based platform could allow buyers to make deposits in digital currencies, potentially streamlining transactions and attracting a tech-savvy audience.

Embodied AI, or EAI, refers to artificial intelligence integrated into physical products like vehicles. Faraday’s vision is to combine this AI-driven technology with blockchain to create a seamless, futuristic car-buying experience. Imagine walking into a dealership (or more likely, logging onto a platform) and using Bitcoin or Ethereum to secure your next EV. It’s a bold idea, and one that could set Faraday apart in a crowded market—if they can pull it off.

  • Streamlined Transactions: Blockchain could reduce paperwork and speed up the purchasing process.
  • Crypto Appeal: Accepting digital currencies could attract younger, tech-forward buyers.
  • Innovation Edge: Combining AI and blockchain positions Faraday as a pioneer in mobility.

But here’s the catch: Faraday’s track record doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. With only 16 FF 91 vehicles delivered by January 2025, the company has struggled to scale production. Can they really execute a complex blockchain platform when they’re still grappling with the basics of car manufacturing? It’s a question that lingers, and one I’ll revisit later in this piece.

Embodied AI: The Future of Smart Vehicles

Faraday’s pivot isn’t just about crypto—it’s also about artificial intelligence. Their focus on embodied AI aims to integrate advanced AI systems into their vehicles, creating smarter, more intuitive driving experiences. From voice-activated controls that understand complex commands to real-time data processing for enhanced safety, this technology could redefine what it means to drive an EV.

Recent advancements in AI, like the FF AI 2.0 software update, show Faraday’s commitment to this vision. This system, reportedly built with cutting-edge tech, can switch between over 50 languages and handle intricate user interactions. It’s the kind of innovation that makes you sit up and take notice, even if you’re skeptical about Faraday’s ability to deliver on a larger scale.

Faraday’s strategy has the potential to boost our economy, create high-quality jobs, and advance sustainable development.

– California State Official

The combination of AI and EVs is a natural fit, but it’s not without challenges. Developing and integrating these systems requires significant investment, and Faraday’s financial struggles are no secret. Still, there’s something undeniably exciting about a car that not only drives you but also learns from you. Could this be the spark that reignites Faraday’s relevance?


Why the Pivot? A Look at Faraday’s Struggles

To understand why Faraday Future is making such a dramatic shift, we need to look at its turbulent history. Once heralded as a potential game-changer in the EV industry, the company has faced a litany of challenges:

  1. Production Woes: Faraday scrapped a $1 billion factory in Nevada in 2016, leading to significant delays in producing its flagship FF 91 vehicle.
  2. Low Output: By early 2025, only 16 vehicles had been delivered, most to employees or brand advocates.
  3. Regulatory Scrutiny: The company faces potential enforcement action from the SEC over alleged misstatements during its 2021 SPAC merger.

These setbacks have left Faraday in a precarious position. With cash reserves dwindling and production lagging, the company is turning to crypto investments and AI innovation to attract new capital and rebuild investor confidence. It’s a risky move, but one that could pay off if executed well. Personally, I’m torn—part of me admires the audacity, while another part wonders if they’re biting off more than they can chew.

The Bigger Picture: Crypto and AI in the EV Industry

Faraday’s pivot isn’t happening in a vacuum. The EV industry is at a crossroads, with companies searching for ways to stand out in a competitive market. By embracing blockchain and AI, Faraday is tapping into two of the most transformative trends in technology today. But they’re not alone—other players are also exploring similar paths.

CompanyTech FocusInnovation Level
Faraday FutureCrypto Treasury, Tokenized Sales, AIHigh
Competitor AAI-Driven AutonomyMedium-High
Competitor BBlockchain for Supply ChainMedium

While competitors are dabbling in AI or blockchain, Faraday’s dual focus on both sets it apart. The question is whether they can execute this vision before their financial challenges catch up. The EV market is unforgiving, and Faraday’s pivot feels like a make-or-break moment.

What’s Next for Faraday Future?

Looking ahead, Faraday Future’s success hinges on execution. The C10 Treasury and EAI Vehicle Chain are ambitious projects, but they require flawless implementation to gain traction. The company’s recent $41 million funding boost offers some breathing room, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to their multibillion-dollar goals.

Here’s what Faraday needs to focus on to make this pivot work:

  • Transparency: Clear communication about their crypto and AI strategies will be key to building investor trust.
  • Execution: Delivering on promised innovations, like the EAI Vehicle Chain, is non-negotiable.
  • Production: Scaling up vehicle output remains critical to maintaining credibility in the EV space.

In my view, the most intriguing aspect of Faraday’s pivot is its potential to redefine how we think about mobility. By blending crypto, AI, and EVs, they’re not just trying to survive—they’re aiming to lead. But the road ahead is fraught with challenges, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.


Can Faraday Future Pull It Off?

Faraday Future’s pivot to crypto and AI is a bold, almost audacious move for a company that’s been on the ropes. The C10 Treasury and EAI Vehicle Chain could attract new investors and buyers, but only if Faraday can overcome its history of overpromising and underdelivering. The endorsement from a California state official adds some credibility, but it’s not enough to erase years of struggles.

Personally, I’m rooting for Faraday to succeed—not because I’m a die-hard fan, but because the idea of a company blending crypto, AI, and EVs is just too fascinating to dismiss. If they can pull this off, they might just rewrite the playbook for the EV industry. But if they stumble, it could be the final nail in the coffin for a company that’s been fighting to stay relevant for years.

What do you think? Is Faraday Future’s pivot a stroke of genius or a desperate last stand? The answer lies in their ability to turn vision into reality. For now, all we can do is watch—and maybe, just maybe, place a small bet on their crypto-fueled comeback.

Without investment there will not be growth, and without growth there will not be employment.
— Muhtar Kent
Author

Steven Soarez passionately shares his financial expertise to help everyone better understand and master investing. Contact us for collaboration opportunities or sponsored article inquiries.

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