The crypto world moves fast. But one thing that stays constant? Venture capital flowing into promising blockchain startups. The right funding at the right time can launch a small idea into a billion-dollar success story. This article will walk you through the biggest players, the most funded crypto projects, and what it all means for builders and investors. Let’s dive in.
1. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has invested over $7.6 billion in crypto and blockchain startups
Andreessen Horowitz, often just called a16z, is not new to betting big. But their investment of over $7.6 billion into crypto shows just how seriously they take this space. They’re not just testing the waters—they’re swimming laps.
This massive amount of capital has been spread across early-stage startups, late-stage giants, and everything in between. From Web3 infrastructure to decentralized social networks, a16z is planting seeds everywhere.
If you’re a founder looking for funding, this tells you one thing: VCs are hungry for blockchain innovation. What’s unique about a16z is how deeply involved they get. They don’t just write checks—they help with hiring, compliance, and go-to-market plans.
Actionable takeaway? If you’re building in the crypto space, make sure your startup solves a real problem. Then, structure your pitch to show long-term value, not just hype.
And don’t just chase money—look for investors who add value, like a16z does. Study their portfolio, understand their thesis, and tailor your deck to match that narrative.
2. Binance Labs has backed more than 200 crypto projects globally
Binance Labs is the venture arm of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. They’ve invested in over 200 crypto projects, covering DeFi, GameFi, NFTs, infrastructure, and security.
What’s powerful here is the strategic nature of their investments. Binance Labs doesn’t just invest—they incubate. They run a global incubator program that gives early-stage projects funding, mentorship, and deep integration with Binance’s ecosystem.
If you’re trying to raise capital, getting in front of Binance Labs could mean more than just money. It could mean exposure to millions of users through listings, integrations, or strategic partnerships.
To stand out, you need to have more than just a whitepaper. Binance looks for clear use cases, strong teams, and the potential for global impact. So focus on your product, prove you can scale, and demonstrate how you fit into the broader Web3 movement.
3. Sequoia Capital has allocated $600 million to a dedicated crypto fund
Sequoia Capital is a legend in the venture world. When they set aside $600 million just for crypto, it turned heads. This wasn’t a side bet—this was a strong signal that crypto is a long-term part of Sequoia’s thesis.
What makes Sequoia different is their deep focus on company-building. They don’t invest for short-term gains. They want founders with a long vision, a plan to grow responsibly, and the grit to push through the ups and downs of crypto cycles.
If you’re an early-stage founder, this tells you something important: long-term vision matters. Yes, traction helps. But more than that, you need to show why your startup matters three, five, or ten years from now.
Practical advice? Make sure your roadmap isn’t just flashy—it should reflect real, sustainable growth. Get your fundamentals right. Show product-market fit. And build a brand, not just a protocol.
4. Paradigm led a $1 billion funding round for Citadel Securities with a crypto focus
Paradigm is known for its bold bets in the crypto space. Leading a $1 billion round for Citadel Securities, a giant in traditional finance, is one of the clearest signs yet that the lines between TradFi and DeFi are blurring.
This round wasn’t just about cash. It was about signaling. It showed that even traditional powerhouses like Citadel are paying attention to crypto. And Paradigm is right there, acting as the bridge.
For builders, this highlights an important trend: hybrid models are becoming popular. If your product can appeal to both crypto natives and traditional players, you’ve got a serious edge.
Want to raise from a VC like Paradigm? Focus on strong architecture. They’re known to be technical. They love deep infrastructure plays and protocol-level innovation. Make sure your whitepaper holds up under scrutiny, your codebase is solid, and your business model is scalable.
5. Solana Labs raised $314 million in a private token sale led by a16z and Polychain
Solana Labs’ massive $314 million token sale marked a turning point. This wasn’t just a capital raise—it was a clear bet on Solana as a fast, scalable Layer 1 competitor to Ethereum.
What stood out was the method: a private token sale, not traditional equity. This reflects a broader trend where investors want upside through tokens, which can be liquid faster than equity.
If you’re a founder considering your fundraising path, this example gives you something to think about. Tokens can be powerful tools, but they come with risks. Regulatory pressure is growing, and if you don’t structure things right, it can bite you later.
What can you do? Work with a lawyer early. Design your tokenomics carefully. Build a real use case for your token so it’s not just a fundraising tool—it actually supports your ecosystem.
And always remember: the best investors bring more than just money. Look for alignment, support, and strategic value, just like Solana did with a16z and Polychain.
6. Polygon (MATIC) raised $450 million in a funding round led by Sequoia and SoftBank
Polygon’s $450 million raise wasn’t just a win—it was a signal. Layer 2 scaling solutions are no longer niche. They’re essential. As Ethereum gas fees soared, projects like Polygon offered much-needed relief with faster and cheaper transactions.
This funding round, led by heavyweights like Sequoia and SoftBank, showed that serious capital was now chasing scalability.
And Polygon wasn’t just solving a problem—it was offering tools, SDKs, and full ecosystems that other projects could build on.
Here’s what this means if you’re building: infrastructure is hot—but it has to be robust. You can’t just promise faster throughput; you have to deliver. Polygon did that with a live network, growing partnerships, and real usage metrics.
If you’re fundraising in this space, show your traction early. Demonstrate how your solution can plug into or improve existing blockchain networks.
And more than that, show a roadmap that isn’t just technical—it should explain how you’ll grow your community, support developers, and build long-term value.
7. FTX raised $1.8 billion across multiple rounds before its collapse
Before it imploded, FTX raised an eye-watering $1.8 billion from top VCs. It was seen as one of the fastest-growing crypto exchanges in history. But this number now serves as a warning, not just a brag.
Despite its massive funding, poor governance and lack of transparency led to a collapse that shocked the entire industry. Investors, employees, and users were all left scrambling.
It’s a reminder: even the biggest raises don’t protect against weak internal controls.
So what’s the lesson? If you’re a founder, remember that reputation and compliance matter just as much as tech. Investors are now more cautious. They want to see clean audits, clear corporate structures, and strong leadership.
If you’re pitching to VCs today, prepare to answer tougher questions. Be transparent about your token structure, your revenue sources, and your team’s background. Build trust early.
A big raise is great—but staying credible is what keeps the funding flowing.
8. Chainalysis raised $170 million at an $8.6 billion valuation in 2022
Chainalysis is a perfect example of a business that grew by doing the “unsexy” work. While others were chasing meme coins and NFTs, Chainalysis focused on blockchain analytics and compliance.
Their $170 million raise at an $8.6 billion valuation showed how important this space really is. Regulators, law enforcement, and exchanges all rely on firms like Chainalysis to track illicit activity and stay compliant.
If you’re building a B2B crypto startup, this should excite you. There’s huge demand for infrastructure that helps crypto meet the real world—especially in areas like identity, AML, KYC, and reporting.
Think about where your product fits. Can it make compliance easier? Can it offer insights that regulators care about? VCs love projects that reduce friction for big players. Even if it’s not glamorous, solving these problems could unlock serious capital and powerful partnerships.
9. Circle, issuer of USDC, raised over $1.1 billion from VCs including Goldman Sachs
Stablecoins are the backbone of the crypto economy, and Circle’s $1.1 billion in funding proves it.
As the issuer of USDC, Circle has positioned itself as both a fintech and a crypto leader. Backed by Goldman Sachs and other major institutions, they’ve brought credibility to digital dollars.
But this raise wasn’t just about numbers—it was about trust. Stablecoins live or die by the strength of their reserves and transparency. Circle built that trust through clear audits, strong partners, and smart regulations.
Founders in the stablecoin or payments space can take a lot from this. Investors want to see stability. They want to know your product can handle billions in volume, operate globally, and comply with regulations.
Want to attract similar funding? Build strong banking relationships. Be proactive about audits.
And design your system with trust in mind—from day one. Whether you’re building a stablecoin, a wallet, or a payment rail, remember: trust scales faster than hype.
10. Animoca Brands has raised over $800 million to support Web3 gaming and metaverse
Animoca Brands has quietly become a powerhouse in Web3 gaming. With over $800 million in funding, they’ve invested in everything from play-to-earn games to virtual land platforms like The Sandbox.
What makes Animoca stand out is how aggressive and forward-thinking they are.
They don’t just back games—they back entire ecosystems. They understand that the future of entertainment is interactive, decentralized, and player-owned.
If you’re a founder in the GameFi space, this is your moment. But be warned: competition is fierce. Investors are no longer interested in token-first models with little gameplay. They want immersive experiences, real user retention, and token economies that make sense.
So focus on building a real game. Think about your player base, not just your whitepaper.
Show engagement metrics, community growth, and live demos. Animoca and other VCs want to see proof you can build worlds people actually want to spend time in.
11. Dapper Labs (Flow blockchain) raised $555 million, including from a16z and Coatue
Dapper Labs made headlines with CryptoKitties, but it was the Flow blockchain and NBA Top Shot that really put them on the map.
Their $555 million raise, backed by giants like a16z and Coatue, was a game-changer. This wasn’t just about NFTs—it was about creating a whole new kind of blockchain tailored for consumer apps.
What Dapper got right was timing and usability. They spotted a gap: most blockchains weren’t built for mass adoption.
Flow was. It was fast, scalable, and user-friendly. And they paired it with strong IP partners like the NBA, which drove mainstream attention.
If you’re building in consumer crypto—whether it’s NFTs, games, or social apps—look closely at Dapper’s playbook. Make your onboarding simple. Hide the crypto complexity behind a clean user experience. Work with brands that bring credibility.
Investors love companies that help onboard the next billion users. And right now, they’re looking for the next Dapper—teams that can combine strong tech with cultural moments.
So, build something fun, accessible, and scalable. That’s the winning formula.
12. StarkWare raised $100 million at an $8 billion valuation
StarkWare’s success shows how deeply investors believe in zero-knowledge (ZK) tech.
With $100 million raised at an $8 billion valuation, they’ve become a major player in the push toward scalable, private blockchain systems.
ZK-rollups solve a major pain point: how to scale blockchains without sacrificing security. StarkWare’s products—like StarkNet and StarkEx—help compress blockchain data, making transactions cheaper and faster.
Here’s the thing: investors are betting that ZK is the future of Web3 infrastructure. If you’re building in this space, you don’t need to chase shiny trends. Focus on solving real scalability challenges.
But ZK isn’t easy. It’s math-heavy and complex. That means if you’re starting a ZK-based project, you need deep technical talent. And when pitching to VCs, clarity is everything. Break down your tech so they see the impact, not just the theory.
Be ready to answer questions about performance, integration, and interoperability.
Show how your tech plugs into Ethereum or other chains. And remember—deep tech is great, but the killer app is what turns heads.
13. ConsenSys raised $726 million, including from Microsoft and SoftBank
ConsenSys is like the engine room of Ethereum. They’ve built wallets (like MetaMask), dev tools (like Infura), and a lot of the infrastructure that powers Web3. Their $726 million raise—featuring Microsoft and SoftBank—was a loud endorsement of Ethereum’s future.
What’s striking is who invested. These are not typical crypto VCs.
They’re global tech and finance powerhouses. And that tells us something important: the real world is finally taking crypto seriously.
For builders, this creates an opportunity. Institutions need tools to interact with blockchain networks—wallets, APIs, analytics, onboarding systems. If you can make Ethereum easier, safer, or faster to use, there’s serious value to be created.
When pitching to investors in this space, don’t just talk about blockchain. Talk about adoption. Show how your product helps banks, governments, or enterprises access Web3.
ConsenSys didn’t get here with hype—they did it by building critical tools people actually use.
14. Alchemy raised $563 million, reaching a $10.2 billion valuation
Alchemy is like the AWS of blockchain. It provides the backend infrastructure for Web3 apps—APIs, nodes, analytics, and monitoring tools.
With $563 million raised and a $10.2 billion valuation, Alchemy proved that developer tooling is big business.
Why does this matter? Because every crypto app needs infrastructure. Just like the internet needed cloud computing to grow, crypto needs developer platforms to scale.
Alchemy saw that early and delivered fast, reliable tools that let builders focus on their products.
If you’re building a project that supports developers—whether it’s testing tools, security platforms, or APIs—there’s a real appetite for that. Investors know the gold rush isn’t just about the miners; it’s also about who sells the shovels.
Want to attract funding in this space? Understand your audience. Developers care about performance, reliability, and good documentation. If you can win their trust, adoption follows—and so does capital. Build what you’d want to use if you were launching your own app.
15. Ledger (hardware wallets) raised $380 million in a Series C round
Security is non-negotiable in crypto, and Ledger nailed it. With $380 million raised in a Series C round, Ledger became the go-to brand for cold storage and self-custody solutions.
Here’s what’s fascinating: Ledger isn’t flashy. It’s a hardware wallet. But in an environment where billions can be lost through hacks, that kind of utility becomes priceless. Especially after major exchange failures, users—and investors—are valuing security more than ever.
If you’re working on wallet tech, cybersecurity, or user protection, this is your time. VCs are actively looking for solutions that make crypto safer and easier to manage. And with self-custody gaining traction, the market is only going to grow.
When building in this space, make your solution easy enough for everyday users but robust enough for advanced ones. Explain how your product prevents common threats.
Show security audits. Offer a user experience that builds trust from the first interaction.
16. Avalanche (AVA Labs) raised $290 million via token sales
Avalanche raised $290 million through private token sales, a fundraising strategy that became hugely popular in the past few years.
Unlike equity raises, token sales allow projects to bring in capital while simultaneously distributing native assets to investors who have a stake in the network’s success.
What made Avalanche stand out was their speed and flexibility. They offered a high-throughput Layer 1 blockchain that could run multiple virtual machines and support custom subnets.
This wasn’t just about competing with Ethereum—it was about offering tailored blockchain environments for different use cases.
If you’re thinking about raising through a token sale, here’s the takeaway: structure matters. Avalanche’s tokenomics were designed for long-term value—not just a quick pump.
They also ensured regulatory clarity and transparency with investor terms.
Actionable tip? Build strong legal and compliance support before you launch your token. Create incentives for long-term holders, not flippers. And offer technical differentiation—VCs and private investors want to know why your blockchain needs to exist and how it’s better than others.
17. OpenSea raised $423 million, hitting a $13.3 billion valuation
OpenSea became a household name by being the first major NFT marketplace. With $423 million raised and a valuation north of $13 billion, they cemented their status as a key player in the NFT space.
The magic? Timing, community, and simplicity. OpenSea offered an open platform where anyone could mint, buy, or sell NFTs. No coding. No barriers. And that simplicity unlocked mass adoption at just the right moment.
This raise proved that marketplaces can still scale big—if they’re early, easy to use, and community-driven.
But it also showed that VCs are willing to invest in consumer platforms, not just infrastructure.
If you’re working on a marketplace or platform, think about your unique angle. OpenSea wasn’t first to NFTs—but they were first to make it usable. If you want to raise capital, build something that lowers friction and grows trust.
Focus on the user journey. Make it fast, fun, and intuitive. And show VCs how you’ll capture both creators and collectors.
18. Immutable (IMX) raised $200 million, led by Temasek
Immutable has been quietly building the foundation for Web3 gaming.
With $200 million raised, led by global investment firm Temasek, they’ve expanded their reach with Immutable X, a Layer 2 scaling solution built on Ethereum for NFTs and games.
The big insight here? Games need speed and low fees. Immutable X delivers that with zero gas fees and high throughput, while still being Ethereum-compatible. It’s a smart blend of scalability and decentralization.
But Immutable didn’t stop at tech—they built tools for developers, partnered with studios, and created a marketplace for digital assets. That ecosystem approach made them highly investable.
If you’re building in the gaming or NFT space, this is the blueprint. Don’t just make a product—make a platform. Show investors how others will build on what you’ve created. Offer SDKs, APIs, and partner support.
Demonstrate long-term thinking by building infrastructure that others can plug into.
19. BlockFi raised $450 million before declaring bankruptcy
BlockFi once raised $450 million and was seen as one of the fastest-growing crypto lenders.
But after exposure to collapsed firms like FTX and Three Arrows Capital, they faced a liquidity crunch and filed for bankruptcy.
What happened here is important. BlockFi had a great product—crypto-backed lending. But they grew too fast, took on risky counterparties, and didn’t protect themselves against systemic shocks in the market.
For founders and investors, this is a key lesson: high growth can’t replace sound risk management. In crypto especially, where things move fast, you need safeguards. Vet your partners. Diversify your exposure. And always keep a close eye on liquidity.
If you’re raising in the lending or DeFi space, expect more due diligence.
VCs will want to see stress-tested models, audited smart contracts, and transparency in how you handle user funds. Trust is now more valuable than yield.
20. Bitmain, a crypto mining giant, has raised over $700 million
Bitmain is one of the biggest names in crypto mining. Their $700 million-plus raise over the years has helped them dominate the ASIC hardware market for Bitcoin mining. Despite ups and downs in the mining space, they’ve stayed relevant and profitable.
What’s interesting is that mining isn’t usually considered “VC-friendly.” It’s capital-intensive, tied to hardware, and vulnerable to price swings.
But Bitmain showed that if you can scale efficiently, innovate in chip design, and control supply chains, there’s big upside.
So what can builders learn here? Hardware and physical infrastructure projects are still investable—if you have a strong moat. Whether you’re in mining, energy, or supply chain tech, show how your solution is defensible, scalable, and efficient.
Investors want to see control over your value chain. If you’re building something capital-heavy, show how you’ll keep margins healthy, adapt to market shifts, and manage operational risks.
Bitmain succeeded by thinking like a tech company, not just a hardware vendor.
21. Fireblocks raised $550 million at an $8 billion valuation
Fireblocks came out strong with a focus on one thing: securing digital assets for institutions. With $550 million raised and a valuation hitting $8 billion, they’ve become a major player in the custody and crypto security space.
Their core innovation? A secure wallet infrastructure for moving and storing digital assets—especially for exchanges, fintech companies, and asset managers. Fireblocks didn’t chase retail users.
They built enterprise-grade security that scaled with crypto adoption.
Here’s the insight: security, when done right, sells itself. Especially to businesses handling billions in assets. Fireblocks made it easy for institutions to enter crypto without having to rebuild their own security systems.
If you’re working on enterprise crypto solutions—whether it’s custody, compliance, or infrastructure—take notes from Fireblocks. Make security your superpower. Build with institutions in mind from day one.
Use clear documentation, audited systems, and scalable architecture.
And when you pitch to VCs, don’t just talk tech. Talk risk reduction, operational efficiency, and regulatory alignment. Show how your solution plugs into large-scale workflows and makes crypto less risky—not more complicated.
22. Worldcoin raised $115 million in 2023, backed by a16z and Bain Capital
Worldcoin grabbed attention with a bold promise: verify humanity at a global scale.
With $115 million raised in 2023, and backing from a16z and Bain Capital, the project leaned into biometric identity and universal income using crypto.
At the center of it all is the Orb—a device that scans your iris to confirm you’re a real person. That’s how Worldcoin aims to prevent bots from gaming decentralized systems, while distributing tokens to verified users globally.
Whether or not you agree with the model, it’s clear Worldcoin is pushing boundaries.
And that’s what attracted such strong capital—big vision, strong narrative, and massive scale potential.
If you’re building something experimental or frontier-like, take a lesson from this: clarity of mission matters. Investors may not fully understand your tech, but if they buy into your long-term story, they’ll want in.
Actionable tip? Anchor your vision to a global problem. Show how your product addresses it in a scalable, novel way.
And back your innovation with technical depth and ethical clarity—especially in sensitive areas like identity and data.
23. Helium raised $200 million to expand its decentralized wireless network
Helium is building a decentralized wireless network powered by individuals, not telecom giants.
With $200 million in funding, they’ve created a model where users deploy small devices (hotspots) that provide wireless coverage—and get rewarded in crypto.
The genius here lies in the model. Instead of spending billions on infrastructure, Helium turned it into a community-driven movement. People earn tokens for helping grow the network, and in return, Helium builds real-world utility through wireless coverage.
For builders, this shows how crypto can power physical infrastructure—what’s now often called “DePIN” (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks).
Whether it’s wireless, storage, or sensors, the model works if incentives are aligned.
If you’re in this space, don’t just focus on tech. Think about your reward system, onboarding flow, and economic incentives. Show VCs how your network grows organically, and how users get real value by participating.
And one more thing—Helium’s success came from real-world traction. So if you’re pitching this kind of idea, bring usage data. Map growth. Show device deployment metrics.
That’s what proves your concept isn’t just theory—it’s working.
24. Yuga Labs (BAYC) raised $450 million, valuing it at $4 billion
Yuga Labs, the team behind Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), raised $450 million and hit a $4 billion valuation. It was a huge moment for NFT culture—and showed that entertainment, community, and Web3 tech can be a very profitable mix.
Yuga didn’t build a protocol. They built a brand. A cultural juggernaut. And that’s what VCs bought into. Between exclusive clubs, live events, virtual real estate, and future gaming projects, Yuga became the blueprint for NFT-native IP.
Here’s what this teaches: community is capital. If you can create a sense of ownership, exclusivity, and shared identity, your brand can grow faster than any tech stack.
If you’re in the NFT or creative space, focus on storytelling. Build with your community, not just for them. Give them ways to participate in growth—via governance, token access, or co-creation.
And when you pitch investors, show cultural relevance. Numbers matter, yes, but brand strength and emotional loyalty are powerful drivers of value in Web3. Yuga Labs is proof of that.
25. LayerZero raised $120 million at a $3 billion valuation
LayerZero is working on a big problem: cross-chain communication. With so many blockchains out there, assets and apps often live in silos. LayerZero raised $120 million at a $3 billion valuation to change that.
Their protocol enables secure and efficient messaging between blockchains. So you can move tokens, data, and commands from Ethereum to Solana to Avalanche—and back. That’s a big deal for building interconnected ecosystems.
What made LayerZero investable was their focus on simplicity and security. They designed the protocol with composability in mind, which made it attractive for DeFi and NFT developers who wanted to go multi-chain.
If you’re building in interoperability, don’t just chase integrations—chase reliability. VCs know the risks of cross-chain hacks. So show them how you’re mitigating those risks. Use third-party audits. Build redundancy into your systems.
And think like a bridge, not a chain. Make it easy for other builders to connect to you. If you become the glue that holds ecosystems together, funding—and partnerships—will follow.
26. Celo raised $46.5 million from a16z, Polychain, and others
Celo positioned itself as a mobile-first blockchain for financial inclusion. With $46.5 million raised from a16z, Polychain, and other major VCs, Celo made it clear they were focused on usability, accessibility, and real-world impact—especially in underserved regions.
Unlike many projects chasing DeFi degens or NFT collectors, Celo aimed to solve a fundamental problem: access.
Their lightweight blockchain runs efficiently on smartphones, making it perfect for people in regions where desktop access is rare and banking infrastructure is weak.
That clarity of mission made them incredibly investable. VCs saw the opportunity to unlock billions in value by reaching new populations—not just serving existing crypto users.
If you’re working on an inclusion-focused crypto product, remember this: mission matters. Your tech needs to work, yes, but your impact narrative is just as important. Show how you’ll reduce barriers, lower fees, and onboard new users in new markets.
And design for mobile. If your product doesn’t work on a $40 Android phone with limited data, you’re not ready for global scale. Follow Celo’s lead and build for the next billion.
27. Aptos Labs raised $400 million in 2022, led by a16z and FTX Ventures
Aptos exploded onto the scene with $400 million in funding and a ton of buzz. Born from Meta’s abandoned Diem project, Aptos promised a faster, more reliable Layer 1 blockchain using a language called Move and a focus on upgradability.
What worked for Aptos? Strong narrative, elite technical team, and smart backing. They positioned themselves as a “next-gen” blockchain—fixing Ethereum’s shortcomings while borrowing the best of its ethos.
They also launched at a time when there was growing fatigue with gas fees, bridges, and complex tooling. Aptos promised simplicity, speed, and safety, and backed it up with serious engineering talent.
If you’re building a new chain or infrastructure play, remember this: your team’s credibility matters. Aptos had ex-Meta engineers with deep experience. That built confidence with investors early.
But even more, they delivered early testnets, dev support, and funding programs. If you want to follow this path, move fast. Build dev tools. Run grant programs. Make it easy for projects to launch on your stack—and the capital will come.
28. Arbitrum’s parent company Offchain Labs raised $120 million in Series B
Offchain Labs, the team behind Arbitrum, raised $120 million in a Series B round—cementing their place as a leading Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution. What made Arbitrum so attractive was its focus on optimistic rollups and EVM compatibility.
They didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they made Ethereum work better. That earned them early developer adoption and trust from users who wanted cheaper gas fees without giving up the Ethereum experience.
Investors loved the execution. Arbitrum launched early, proved its tech, and worked closely with top DeFi protocols. They weren’t just fast—they were stable, which is exactly what serious builders want.
So here’s what you can learn: don’t overcomplicate. Build where the users already are. Make your solution plug into existing workflows, not replace them. If you can improve core infrastructure—while staying compatible with what’s working—you’ll always have an edge.
And if you’re pitching something similar? Show how your product reduces pain without creating new complexity. Simplicity sells.
29. Mina Protocol raised $92 million in strategic rounds
Mina Protocol stands out because it’s trying something radical—keeping the entire blockchain small enough to fit on your phone. With $92 million raised, Mina is building a zero-knowledge-powered chain where users can run full nodes from a mobile device.
This isn’t just a technical trick—it’s a rethinking of decentralization. Instead of requiring massive nodes or centralized infrastructure, Mina gives everyday users real ownership by lowering the hardware barrier.
VCs loved this idea because it addressed a fundamental flaw in blockchain adoption: the tech is often too heavy, too slow, and too centralized. Mina offered a fresh take—and the funding followed.
If you’re building in the ZK space or working on light clients, use Mina’s playbook. Focus on accessibility and decentralization, not just speed. Explain how your tech empowers more users, not just institutions or whales.
And when you pitch? Bring the mission front and center. Show how your architecture aligns with Web3 values. Mina succeeded by combining deep cryptography with a very human story—ownership for everyone, not just the tech elite.
30. Multicoin Capital’s fund size reached $430 million for Web3 and DeFi projects
Multicoin Capital has become one of the most respected crypto-native VCs. With a $430 million fund focused on Web3 and DeFi, they’ve backed winners like Solana, Helium, and The Graph.
What sets Multicoin apart is how hands-on they are. They don’t just invest—they help shape product strategy, token design, and go-to-market plans. They’re known for doing deep research and only backing projects with long-term potential.
This tells founders something very important: choose your investors wisely. Capital is everywhere, but support isn’t. VCs like Multicoin can dramatically increase your chances of success if they truly understand your category.
So when you’re looking to raise, do your homework. Don’t just send cold decks. Read their essays. Join their AMAs. Understand their worldview and align your pitch accordingly.
And once you’re in? Use them. These kinds of investors want to help you win—use their expertise, network, and experience. It can be the difference between a good launch and a great one.
wrapping it up
Looking across these 30 funding rounds, a clear picture emerges: crypto is no longer a fringe experiment. It’s a full-fledged frontier with serious capital, serious players, and high expectations.
From infrastructure giants and Layer 1 blockchains to NFT powerhouses and security platforms, funding is pouring into every layer of the stack—but only where there’s real traction, real teams, and real vision.
