Research Summary
The report discusses the state of venture capital (VC) funding in the cryptocurrency space for August 2023. It highlights a slight recovery in funding amounts but a continued decrease in the number of projects. The report also notes a significant increase in the proportion of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) projects.
Key Takeaways
Overall Funding Trends
- Recovery in Funding Amount: The total funding amount in August was $660 million, marking a 20% increase compared to July 2023, but a 57% decrease compared to August 2022.
- Decrease in Number of Projects: There were a total of 73 publicly announced investment projects in the cryptocurrency VC space in August, representing a 6% decrease compared to July 2023 and a 45% decrease compared to August 2022.
- Significant Increase in DeFi: DeFi’s share of funding was about 26%, marking a substantial increase of 12% compared to the previous month.
Notable Funding Rounds
- Ramp’s Funding Round: Payment company Ramp announced a $300 million funding round, valuing the company at $5.8 billion. The new capital will be used to accelerate product development and expand hiring.
- BitGo’s Funding Round: Cryptocurrency custody firm BitGo raised $100 million at a valuation of $1.75 billion. This funding will be used for strategic acquisitions.
- ZetaChain’s Funding Round: Cross-chain infrastructure project ZetaChain raised $27 million. ZetaChain is an L1 public blockchain that connects different blockchains through its OmniChain functionality.
Actionable Insights
- Investigate the Potential of DeFi: With the significant increase in the proportion of DeFi projects, it may be beneficial to explore opportunities in this sector.
- Consider the Impact of Decreasing Projects: The continued decrease in the number of projects may indicate a consolidation in the market, which could affect investment strategies.
- Monitor the Recovery of Funding: The slight recovery in funding amounts could signal a potential rebound in the market, which may present new opportunities.
