Crypto Fundraising weekly
Dates: 21 – 27, Jul 2024

This week's biggest funding round

Block Mining Group (ex Blockware Mining) raised $92.5M in a M&A funding round from Riot Platforms.

Block Mining Group is a Bitcoin mining infrastructure and colocation service provider with its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. The company operates in the United States, building and deploying data center infrastructure that supports the Bitcoin network.

Pre-seed and Seed investment rounds

aPriori raised $8M in a Seed funding round from Pantera Capital*, ABCDE Capital, Chorus One, CMS Holdings, ConsenSys, Everstake Capital, Flow Traders, Laser Digital, Manifold, OKX Ventures (ex OKEx Blockdream Ventures), Selini Capital, Staking Facilities, Vessel Capital, Hongbo Tang, Paul Kim, Spencer Noon.

Apriori is dedicated to revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) by offering innovative financial products and services. The platform provides users with optimized yield strategies, secure asset management, and seamless integration with various blockchain networks. Apriori aims to democratize access to sophisticated financial tools, enabling users to maximize their returns while minimizing risk. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a user-centric approach, Apriori is set to redefine the landscape of DeFi, making it more accessible and efficient for all.

Kuru raised $2M in a Seed funding round from Electric Capital*, Brevan Howard Digital, CMS Holdings, Pivot Global, Breed VC, Velocity Capital, Keone Hon.

Kuru is an on-chain orderbook exchange built on the Monad blockchain, designed to provide high-speed and scalable trading solutions for decentralized finance (DeFi) enthusiasts. Kuru leverages Monad’s advanced blockchain technology to offer enhanced performance, processing up to 10,000 transactions per second, ensuring low latency and high throughput for traders. The platform aims to deliver a robust and efficient trading experience by integrating sophisticated order matching and liquidity management systems. With a focus on security and user experience, Kuru is set to redefine decentralized trading with its innovative approach.

Kintsu raised $4M in a Seed funding round from Castle Island Ventures*, Brevan Howard Digital, CMT Digital, The Spartan Group, Breed VC, CMS Holdings, Animoca Ventures, Reciprocal Ventures, F-Prime Capital, LBANK Labs, Mike Dudas.

Kintsu is a next-generation liquid staking infrastructure platform designed to enhance DeFi ecosystems. It allows users to stake gas tokens into the Kintsu Vault, earning Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) that grow with the staking pool. Kintsu delegates staking to a decentralized registry of validators, ensuring secure and efficient staking rewards. The platform integrates zero-knowledge cryptography and multiparty computation for enhanced security and scalability. Kintsu also operates with a strong governance model, empowering its community through decentralized decisions, quarterly elections, and DAO control.

Multiple Network raised $2M in a Seed funding round from OKX Ventures (ex OKEx Blockdream Ventures), Youbi Capital, Puzzle Ventures, CatcherVC, Stratified Capital, Bitrise Capital.

Multiple is a DeFi platform designed to optimize yield generation for crypto assets. It leverages sophisticated algorithms and strategies to maximize returns on user deposits across various DeFi protocols. By offering an intuitive interface and robust security measures, Multiple simplifies the process of earning interest on crypto assets, ensuring both experienced and novice users can benefit from DeFi opportunities. The platform provides real-time analytics and insights, empowering users to make informed decisions and achieve better financial outcomes.

BitFi raised undisclosed amount in a Seed funding round from Fundamental Labs, IBC Group, Cryptogram Venture (CGV).

BitFi is a CeDeFi platform that combines secure staking mechanisms with innovative synthetic assets to create a dynamic ecosystem. Utilizing advanced on-chain technology and comprehensive off-chain quantitative strategies, BitFi optimizes returns on staked assets across multiple blockchains. The platform offers products like the BitFi Synthetic Dollar and Internet Bonds, providing users with enhanced earning and trading opportunities. BitFi’s roadmap includes crypto staking, re-staking, CeFi integration, and TradFi transformation, aiming to bridge the gap between decentralized and traditional finance.

RiskLayer raised undisclosed amount in a Pre-seed funding round from Antler*, Momentum 6 (M6)*, WAGMI Ventures, Richard Ma, Paul Taylor.

RiskLayer is an autonomous risk oracle platform that democratizes app-specific risk feeds for Ethereum and Bitcoin. It provides economic security feeds for DeFi applications, enabling the creation of structured financial products with integrated risk management strategies. By leveraging a shared security pool and optimized returns, RiskLayer scales economic security across DeFi, institutions, and retail markets. The platform is powered by $15B of restaked ETH on EigenLayer, ensuring robust and rational user behavior without governance overheads.

RedPill raised $5M in a Seed funding round from Animoca Brands*, Digital Finance Group (DFG)*, Jsquare, Hypersphere, IOSG Ventures, Outlier Ventures, PAKA, Sanctor Capital, TKX CAPITAL, Gate Ventures, LD Capital, Incuba Alpha, Math Wallet, MEXC, Gavin Wood, Derek Yoo.

RedPill AI is an innovative platform that aims to democratize artificial intelligence by making advanced AI technologies accessible to everyone. RedPill focuses on providing cutting-edge AI solutions that empower users across various industries to harness the power of AI for their specific needs. The platform offers user-friendly tools and applications designed to simplify the integration and deployment of AI, enabling businesses and individuals to leverage AI-driven insights and automation to enhance their operations and productivity.

Roxom raised $4.3M in a Pre-seed funding round from Tim Draper*, Borderless Capital, Cadenza, Kingsway Capital, Newtopia VC.

Roxom is a Bitcoin-denominated market platform that allows users to trade stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, forex, and bonds using Bitcoin. The platform aims to revolutionize traditional finance by integrating Bitcoin as the primary currency for trading a diverse range of financial assets. Roxom provides a seamless and secure trading experience, leveraging advanced technology to facilitate transactions and manage portfolios in a decentralized and transparent manner. By offering a comprehensive suite of financial instruments, Roxom empowers users to diversify their investments and capitalize on the growing adoption of Bitcoin.

Network3 raised $5M in a Seed funding round from IoTeX, SNZ Holding, Waterdrip Capital, Bing Ventures.

Network3.ai is an AI-powered decentralized finance (DeFi) platform designed to optimize liquidity management and enhance yield generation. By leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and blockchain technology, Network3 provides intelligent asset management solutions for investors and liquidity providers. The platform integrates seamlessly with various DeFi protocols, offering tools for automated trading, portfolio rebalancing, and risk management. Network3 aims to democratize access to sophisticated financial strategies, ensuring transparency, security, and efficiency in the DeFi ecosystem.

Assisterr raised $1.7M in a Pre-seed funding round from Web3com Ventures, Moonhill Capital, Contango Digital Assets, Outlier Ventures, Decasonic, Zephyrus Capital, Wise3 Ventures, Saxon, Koyamaki Ventures.

Assisterr AI is a cutting-edge AI platform designed to revolutionize customer service and support. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning, Assisterr AI provides businesses with automated customer interaction solutions that enhance efficiency and improve user experiences. The platform integrates seamlessly with existing systems, offering features such as natural language processing, sentiment analysis, and real-time data insights. Assisterr AI aims to empower organizations to deliver personalized, responsive, and scalable customer support, reducing operational costs while increasing customer satisfaction.

Etherfuse raised $3M in a Seed funding round from White Star Capital*, North Island Ventures (NIV)*, Stellar Development Foundation, FunFair Ventures, Department of XYZ.

Etherfuse democratizes access to secure financial investments through blockchain technology. It provides tools, systems, and legal infrastructure to enable global participation in Web3. Etherfuse specializes in creating products such as Stablebonds and Validator-backed NFTs, ensuring safe and transparent investment opportunities for users.

NPC Labs raised $18M in a Seed funding round from Pantera Capital*, Makers Fund, Hashed, Collab+Currency, Sfermion, Mirana Ventures, Bitscale Capital, Mantle Network.

NPC Labs is an on-chain product distribution company utilizing Web3 tools. It enables the creation, monetization, and scaling of real-world items connected to digital assets. With a focus on securing intellectual property and ensuring authenticity, NPC Labs supports global logistics and distribution, offering services to creators and suppliers to bring their IP and products to market. NPC Labs is building B3.fun, a gaming scaling ecosystem built on Base, as its core contributor.

Other investment rounds

Mezo raised $7.5M in a Strategic  funding round from Cathay Ledger Fund*, ArkStream Capital, Flowdesk, GSR Markets LTD, Origin Protocol, Mantle Network.

Mezo is a Bitcoin-native chain where users can utilize their Bitcoin holdings to cultivate wealth collectively. It offers real utility and honest yield for Bitcoin holders, fostering a thriving economy through features like user asset ownership, EVM compatibility secured by Bitcoin, reliable bridging with tBTC, and a dual staking model for rewards and validation.

OpenSocial raised $6M in a  funding round from Framework Ventures*, North Island Ventures (NIV)*, Hivemind, Stratos Technologies, Moonrock Capital, Chorus One, HV Capital, X ventures, Gate Labs, Panga Capital, Aspen Digital, Jordi Alexander, Sreeram Kannan, Luca Netz, Sandeep Nailwal, Gabby Dizon, Cygaar, Regan Bozman.

OpenSocial is a multichain SocialFi infrastructure offering scalable and composable protocols for Web3 users, creators, and developers. It integrates social functionalities as an enabling layer across various use cases, promoting emotional and financial engagement. Developed by Everest Ventures Group, OpenSocial supports modular, codeless deployment on multiple virtual machines, enhancing the multi-chain social economy with flagship dApps and a robust developer community.

Caldera raised $15M in a Series A  funding round from Founders fund*, Dragonfly Capital, Sequoia Capital, ArkStream Capital, Lattice Fund.

Caldera is a no-code web3 infrastructure platform, specializes in building high-performance, customizable, and application-specific layer-two blockchains (Caldera Chains).

DAOBase raised $6M in a  funding round from SevenX Ventures, Antalpha Ventures, Y2Z Ventures, LD Capital, MixMarvel DAO Venture, Bitrise Capital, Sebastien Borget.

DAOBase is an AI-powered data analytics platform tailored for Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). It provides comprehensive insights and analytics to enhance DAO governance and decision-making processes. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning, DAOBase offers tools for real-time data analysis, trend forecasting, and strategic planning. The platform aims to empower DAOs with actionable intelligence, fostering transparency, efficiency, and informed decision-making within the decentralized ecosystem.

Yup raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Nascent, IDEO CoLab Ventures, Dan Romero.

Yup is a social network for curators that rewards users for liking and sharing content across the web.

Panda Titan raised $3M in a  funding round from Archer Capital.

Blockchain gaming ecosystem

Stix protocol raised $1.8M in a Private  funding round from Presto Labs, Selini Capital, Altcoin Sherpa.

Meme competition and promotion platform on Base

Bitlayer raised $11M in a Series A  funding round from Franklin Templeton*, ABCDE Capital*, Stake Capital, WAGMI Ventures, Flow Traders, FalconX, Skyland Ventures, GSR Markets LTD, Metalpha, 280 Capital, Presto Labs, Caladan, Revelo Intel, GTS Ventures, Cryptonite Capital, Capital6 Eagle, Jets Capital, vVv dotnet, Optic Capital, Fidenza Capital Investment.

Bitlayer introduces itself as the first Bitcoin security-equivalent Layer 2 solution, built upon BitVM. This innovative platform envisions shaping the future of the Bitcoin ecosystem with its key pillar solutions, aiming to enhance scalability, efficiency, and security for Bitcoin transactions. Bitlayer seeks to empower developers and users within the Bitcoin community by providing advanced infrastructure for the decentralized web.

Igloo (Abstract L2) raised $11M in a  funding round from Founders fund*, Fenbushi Capital, 1kx, Everest Ventures Group (EVG), Selini Capital.

Parent company to Pudgy Penguins and OverpassIP, developing a new consumer-focused Layer 2 blockchain called Abstract.

Pluto Studio raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Binance Labs Fund.

Pluto Studio is the GameFi publishing platform that launched Telegram game Catizen

Multipool raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Kronos Research.

Multipool is a decentralized protocol aimed at revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) trading. By addressing the challenges present in current DeFi trading environments, Multipool offers an efficient, secure, and versatile solution for traders and investors. With innovative features such as an independent on-chain order book, transparent auctions, and repo lending, Multipool empowers users with enhanced price execution, fair order execution, and flexible lending options, while ensuring the highest levels of security and decentralization.

MetaBeat raised $3M in a  funding round from FZF Ventures.

MetaBeat is an incentivized community platform that leverages fan activities to support and grow the music ecosystem. By integrating blockchain technology and NFTs, MetaBeat enables fans to earn rewards through their engagement with artists and music content. Fans can support their favorite creators, participate in social media activities, and benefit from the performance of the music. MetaBeat transforms fan interactions into tangible value, promoting a sustainable and interactive music environment powered by its unique FANomance Index.

Zircuit raised undisclosed amount in a  funding round from Binance Labs Fund, Mirana Ventures, Amber Group, Selini Capital, Robot Ventures, Nomad Capital, Borderless Capital.

Zircuit is a fully EVM-compatible zero-knowledge rollup designed to enhance the potential of web3 by combining robust infrastructure with zero-knowledge proofs. This unique hybrid architecture offers developers high performance and security at the sequencer level, enabling faster transactions and reduced fees. Currently in its Testnet phase, Zircuit allows users to participate in testing, staking programs, and Build to Earn initiatives, all while ensuring compatibility with Ethereum applications and major wallets.

* fund, that lead investment round