This milestone deal follows closely on the heels of another billion-dollar transaction, as President Donald Trump’s re-election injects fresh momentum into the digital asset space. With expectations of looser regulatory frameworks, market optimism is surging.

The timing couldn’t be better for Ripple. Just last month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its lawsuit against the company, which had accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering.

“We’re at a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital assets,” said Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. “With the regulatory uncertainty of the previous SEC leadership finally behind us, the U.S. market is open in a way we haven’t seen before. The digital asset landscape is maturing to meet the demands of institutional finance — and Ripple is positioned at the forefront.”

Hidden Road, a powerhouse in global clearing, handles over $3 trillion annually and serves more than 300 leading institutional clients, including top-tier hedge funds. This acquisition cements Ripple’s place as a major player bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto economy.

Crypto’s upswing

The deal marks another powerful stride forward for the crypto industry, which continues to gain traction despite ongoing economic headwinds related to tariffs.

Just last month, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken announced its $1.5 billion acquisition of retail futures trading platform NinjaTrader — a move that underscores the sector’s growing ambition.

Meanwhile, stablecoin issuer Circle and trading platform eToro — which offers access to stocks, crypto, and other assets — have both filed for IPOs. While current market volatility may influence the timing, their plans signal strong confidence in long-term growth.

Venture funding in the crypto and blockchain sector surged to $3.8 billion across 220 deals in Q1, according to Crunchbase — a 138% increase over the previous quarter’s $1.6 billion across 242 deals.

This impressive growth was fueled in part by Binance’s landmark $2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi-based MGX, the largest single investment ever made in a crypto company.

The post Ripple Acquires Hidden Road in $1.25B Crypto Deal appeared first on Crypto Funding.

The round also attracted backing from major market players such as Flow Traders, Nomura’s digital asset arm Laser Digital, GSR, and IMC Trading. While Cap’s valuation was not disclosed, the caliber of its investors speaks volumes about its potential and market confidence.

Cap is gearing up to launch an interest-bearing stablecoin and an integrated lending marketplace in the coming months, according to founder and CEO Benjamin Sarquis Peillard. Unlike traditional stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, Cap’s offering is engineered to generate yield—bringing a new layer of utility to the stablecoin ecosystem.

As stablecoins gain traction as a settlement tool for institutional payments, the demand for immediate, short-term liquidity among asset managers and financial institutions is rising. Cap meets this need head-on by enabling institutions such as Franklin Templeton to borrow stablecoins directly from users, offering yield in return. “Institutions enter our marketplace, leverage user-deposited collateral, and borrow against it,” Sarquis Peillard explained.

Cap’s model sets itself apart from early entrants like Figure Markets’ YLDS, which gained SEC approval in February, by taking a non-custodial approach. “We don’t hold users’ money,” Sarquis Peillard emphasized. Instead, Cap’s lending system relies entirely on smart contracts—self-executing agreements that ensure secure and transparent fund management without intermediaries.

To further enhance user protection, all borrowers on Cap’s platform will be required to secure loan insurance, guaranteeing that users are repaid in full and on time—even in the event of a default. Interest rates will adjust dynamically based on market conditions, and Cap will retain a 10% fee on users’ earned yield.

The company is currently in its testing phase, with a public launch slated for May. The fresh capital will be invested primarily in strengthening security infrastructure and expanding the team to support the platform’s rapid growth. Sarquis Peillard underscored Cap’s commitment to delivering a robust, hacker-resistant solution that redefines how institutions and individuals interact with stablecoins.

The post Blockchain firm Cap secures $11 million from Franklin Templeton and other investors to debut interest-bearing stablecoin appeared first on Crypto Funding.

The round was spearheaded by Tribe Capital and Social Capital, with strong backing from notable investors including Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, DHVC, Blockchain Capital, Upside Partnership, SV Angel, Digital Currency Group (DCG), Mark Britto, and Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk.

“The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency has led to a fragmented global market with limited liquidity,” explains SFOX CEO Akbar Thobhani. “Over the past four years, we’ve solved that challenge by creating a unified access point through our advanced routing technology, seamlessly connecting exchanges across the world.”

With this latest funding, SFOX is taking a bold step forward—evolving from a crypto dealer into a full-fledged crypto asset management platform. The company plans to build the infrastructure and financial rails necessary to power the future of digital asset investing.

This next phase includes the launch of cutting-edge products focused on security, risk management, and regulated market access.

Since its founding in 2014, SFOX has facilitated over $9 billion in transaction volume, solidifying its position as a key player in the digital asset ecosystem.

The post SFOX Secures $23 Million to Expand Crypto Asset Management Platform appeared first on Crypto Funding.

The number of pre-seed funding rounds for Bitcoin-focused startups has skyrocketed by an impressive 767% since 2021, according to a new report from venture capital firm Trammell Venture Partners (TVP).

In 2024 alone, Bitcoin pre-seed transactions surged 50% year-over-year, accompanied by a 27.5% increase in the number of startups securing early-stage funding. This momentum highlights a strong and growing conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term potential among founders and investors alike.

Christopher Calicott, managing director at TVP, attributes the surge in activity to the unmatched resilience of the Bitcoin network:

“Many entrepreneurs across the crypto space are returning to the Bitcoin stack as the foundational layer for their businesses. It’s a logical move—Bitcoin is objectively the most secure, reliable, and decentralized blockchain available.”

Despite the uptick in deals, the total capital raised in Bitcoin pre-seed rounds dipped more than 22% in 2024. Median round sizes and startup valuations have steadily declined since peaking during the 2021 bull market. Although 2024 saw a partial recovery, funding levels have yet to reach their previous highs—largely due to lingering uncertainty around U.S. crypto regulations under prior SEC leadership.

Broader macroeconomic headwinds—including persistent interest rate pressure, fears of a prolonged trade war, and potential recession risks—have further dampened investor appetite for speculative assets. Nevertheless, Bitcoin’s fundamentals and network advantages continue to attract serious builders focused on long-term value.

Crypto VCs don’t expect 2025 funding to reach 2021-2022 levels

In January, Deng Chao, CEO of institutional asset manager HashKey Capital, stated with conviction that pro-crypto regulatory developments in the United States would drive a significant surge in venture capital investment across the crypto sector in 2025.

At the same time, he cautioned that ongoing macroeconomic instability and geopolitical tensions could inject volatility into the market, potentially disrupting the positive momentum created by favorable regulatory shifts.

On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a comprehensive tariff order, introducing a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries and implementing reciprocal trade measures against key trading partners—an aggressive move that rattled global financial markets.

Historically, risk-on assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies tend to underperform during periods of trade conflict and economic uncertainty, as investors pivot toward safer havens such as cash, government bonds, and durable commodities.

In 2022, Haun Ventures made headlines by investing $1.5 billion into crypto firms. However, adapting to current market dynamics, the firm has announced plans to raise a more measured $1 billion in the first half of 2025.

Echoing cautious optimism, analysts at Galaxy Digital project a 50% year-over-year increase in VC-led crypto investments in 2025. Still, they acknowledge that funding levels are unlikely to match the peak activity seen during the 2021–2022 cycle.

The post Report: Pre-seed crypto startup deals surge 767% since 2021 appeared first on Crypto Funding.

Venture capital funding surged into the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry in March, defying market skepticism even as Bitcoin experienced a 30% retracement. While some commentators rushed to declare the end of the bull market, investor confidence remained strong.

VC activity serves as a key indicator of the blockchain sector’s health, with higher deal flow signaling robust investor demand and ongoing innovation.

As reported by Cointelegraph, blockchain startups secured an impressive $1.1 billion in funding in February, with decentralized finance, decentralized physical infrastructure networks, and payments leading the charge.

Early data suggests that March was an even stronger month for crypto VC investments, with larger funding rounds and increased investor participation underscoring the sector’s resilience.

This month’s VC Roundup highlights eight major deals—seven of which reached valuations in the eight-figure range—demonstrating that capital is still flowing into the industry at a significant pace.

Across Protocol raises $41 million via token sale

Across Protocol, a leading Ethereum cross-chain interoperability platform, has successfully raised $41 million in a token sale led by San Francisco-based venture firm Paradigm. The round also saw participation from major industry players, including Coinbase Ventures, Bain Capital Crypto, and Multicoin Capital.

With its innovative use of “intents,” Across Protocol is revolutionizing Ethereum layer-2 connectivity by separating asset transfers from message verification. This architecture ensures faster and more efficient transactions.

“The critical tasks—moving assets and fulfilling the intent—are executed immediately by a relayer, while the more time-intensive message verification occurs afterward,” explained Aiden Park, an engineer and technical writer.

“This design allows Across to deliver messages with unparalleled speed, cost efficiency, and security, distinguishing it from other message-passing protocols,” he added.

Ribbit Capital leads $23.6 million Crossmint raise

Enterprise Web3 company Crossmint has secured $23.6 million in funding to expand its cutting-edge onchain onboarding technology, making Web3 adoption seamless for businesses and AI agents—without requiring blockchain expertise. The round was led by San Francisco-based venture firm Ribbit Capital.

Co-founder Rodri Fernandez emphasized that Crossmint offers powerful low-code APIs for essential blockchain functions, including wallets, stablecoins, tokenization, and credentials. The company also announced that its technology is now used by over 40,000 businesses and developers across more than 40 blockchains.

Financial app Abound gets backing from Near Foundation, Circle Ventures

New York-based remittance app Abound has secured a $14 million funding round, led by Near Foundation with participation from Circle Ventures.

Designed to streamline remittances between India and its vast U.S.-based diaspora, Abound has already processed over $150 million in transactions, demonstrating strong demand and rapid adoption.

Developed by the Times of India Group, a leading Mumbai-based media company, Abound is positioned as a key player in the cross-border payments space.

While the extent of blockchain integration in Abound’s services remains unclear, backing from Near and Circle Ventures signals a growing interest from blockchain-focused firms in revolutionizing the remittance and cross-border payments industry.

Chronicle closes seed round

Chronicle, a leading Ethereum Oracle and tokenization infrastructure provider, has secured $12 million in seed funding, with Strobe Ventures—formerly BlockTower Venture Capital—spearheading the round. Notable investors include Galaxy Vision Hill, Brevan Howard Digital, Tioga Capital, Fenbushi Capital, Gnosis Ventures, 6th Man Ventures, and a group of prominent angel investors.

By seamlessly connecting protocol developers to real-time data feeds, Chronicle plays a vital role in powering DeFi and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization ecosystems. The company attributes its strong early-stage funding success to the surging institutional demand for RWA tokenization, reinforcing its position as a key player in the industry’s future.

DeFi-yielding stablecoin Level debuts with $2.6 million in funding

In March, blockchain developer Peregrin Exploration launched Level USD, a yield-bearing stablecoin, backed by $2.6 million from top investors, including Dragonfly Capital, Polychain, and Flowdesk.

Unlike traditional stablecoins, Level USD is collateralized by restaked stablecoins, offering users the potential for yield while maintaining stability. Since its debut, its market capitalization has surged, reaching an impressive $116 million.

Level USD is seamlessly integrated with leading DeFi protocols such as Pendle, LayerZero, and Specta. It also serves as collateral on Morpho, a noncustodial lending platform, further expanding its utility across the decentralized finance ecosystem.

Halliday raises $20 million for Agentic Workflow Protocol

No-code blockchain developer Halliday has secured a $20 million Series A funding round to accelerate the growth of its Agentic Workflow Protocol (AWP)—an advanced AI-driven tool that empowers developers to build DeFi applications without writing smart contracts.

Led by a16z Crypto, the round also saw participation from SV Angel, the Avalanche Blizzard Fund, Credibly Neutral, Alt Layer, and other prominent investors.

With AWP, blockchain companies can develop applications in hours instead of years, Halliday announced. By handling the complexities of blockchain development and execution, its programming model streamlines the process, allowing businesses to scale faster and more efficiently.

AI-driven Validation Cloud closes $15 million Series A

Validation Cloud, a leading innovator in AI and blockchain infrastructure, has secured a $15 million Series A investment led by True Global Ventures. The round also saw participation from Cadenza, Blockchain Founders Fund, Bloccelerate, and other strategic investors.

This funding will accelerate the expansion of Validation Cloud’s Web3 infrastructure solutions, including advanced staking, high-performance node APIs, and enhanced data services.

Trusted by industry leaders like Hedera, Aptos, Stellar, EigenLayer, and Polygon, Validation Cloud delivers seamless access to blockchain data while providing robust node and staking solutions for institutional clients.

Skytale Digital debuts $20 million Polkadot Ecosystem Fund

Skytale Digital, a leading blockchain investment firm, has unveiled the Polkadot Ecosystem Fund, a bold initiative with a $20 million allocation dedicated to advancing the “network of networks.”

This fund is designed to deliver comprehensive support—combining financial backing, technical expertise, and strategic mentorship—to empower Web3 developers. Its focus is squarely on fostering the growth of decentralized applications and key infrastructure projects within the dynamic Polkadot ecosystem.

Polkadot is a leading blockchain network, ranked 20th globally with a market capitalization of approximately $7.3 billion, as reported by CoinMarketCap.

The post VC Roundup: Eight-Figure Investments Indicate Crypto Bull Market Is Far from Over appeared first on Crypto Funding.

This week’s funding exceeded $150 million, with security, DeFi, and infrastructure projects dominating the investments, according to Crypto Fundraising data.

Blockaid, $50 million

• Secured $50 million in Series B funding,
• Supported by Ribbit Capital, Google Ventures, and Variant,
• Blockaid has accumulated a total of $83 million in funding to date.

Kinto, $20 million

• Kinto has successfully raised $20 million in an undisclosed funding round.
• Supported by Brevan Howard.
• The company’s total funding now stands at $25 million.

Cygnus, $20 million

• Secured $20 million in pre-seed investment
• Supported by Manifold, OKX Ventures, and Mirana
• Developing innovative DeFi and stablecoin solutions

Altius, $11 million

• Altius raised $11 million in pre-seed financing.
• The venture is supported by Founders Fund, Pantera, and Archetype.

Universal Protocol, $9 million

• Universal Protocol secured $9 million in an undisclosed funding round.
• The round was supported by a16z Crypto, Coinbase Ventures, and Four Cities Capital.

Fluent Labs, $8 million

• Fluent Labs has raised $8 million in seed funding
• Supported by investors such as Polychain Capital, Primitive, and M41 Ventures
• The initiative focuses on developing L2 infrastructure

Mansa, $7 million

• Mansa secured $7 million in an undisclosed funding round.
• The company is working on developing DeFi payment solutions.
• Earlier in February, Mansa raised $10 million.

Primus Labs, $6.50 million

• Primus Labs secured $6.50 million in seed funding.
• The funding was supported by Dispersion Capital, Symbolic Capital, and VanEck.

Notable crypto VC funding rounds < $5 million

• Yield Basis raised $5 million, achieving a $50 million FDV for its AMM and yield tools.
• Acre secured $4 million with a $90 million FDV to advance Bitcoin DeFi.
• WalletConnect raised $4 million through a public sale, reaching a $200 million FDV.
• Mansa secured $3 million in pre-seed funding.
• Maestro raised $3 million in seed funding.
• AMMO raised $2.5 million to support AI infrastructure development.
• Infinity Ground, Fomo, and ResearchHub each raised $2 million.
• Nil Foundation and Mu Digital each secured $600,000 in public sales.
• Form Network raised $306,500, reaching a $306.5 million FDV.
• Forkast secured $100,000 with a $0.04 FDV.
• RICH raised $50,000 for data privacy solutions.

The post Crypto VC funding: Blockaid raises $50 million, Cygnus secures $20 million appeared first on Crypto Funding.

• Raise secured $63 million in a funding round led by Haun Ventures, building on previous investments from PayPal, Accel, and New Enterprise Associates.
• The company aims to grow its blockchain-powered “Smart Cards” initiative, expanding its reach and capabilities.
• Additionally, Raise has introduced a new Board of Directors, featuring former executives from Kraken, Honey, and GrubHub.

Raise, a PayPal-backed leader in digital gift cards and loyalty programs, has secured an impressive $63 million funding round led by Haun Ventures, bringing its total funding to over $220 million.

The round saw participation from top-tier investors, including Amber Group, Anagram, and GSR, underscoring strong confidence in Raise’s vision. With this fresh capital, the Chicago-based company is accelerating the development of its blockchain-powered Smart Cards and expanding the Retail Alliance Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to modernizing and securing the global gift card ecosystem.

Raise is transforming gift cards into a “fully programmable retail currency” that enhances brand loyalty. “This isn’t just a response to market trends—it’s the culmination of years of investment, research, and infrastructure-building to bring a fully on-chain, programmable retail currency to life,” said founder and CEO George Bousis in a statement to CoinDesk.

“The crypto industry needs real utility now more than ever. Investors are demanding substance over speculation, and consumers are tired of empty promises,” Bousis added. “We’ve spent over a decade proving how blockchain can drive real-world change in the multi-trillion-dollar gift card industry.”

Alongside the funding announcement, Raise introduced its powerhouse board of directors, featuring fintech and crypto heavyweights: Marco Santori, former CLO of Kraken; George Ruan, co-founder of Honey; Matt Maloney, founder of GrubHub; and Bjorn Wagner, CEO of Parity Technologies. Their collective expertise in fintech, crypto, and e-commerce positions Raise for even greater impact in reshaping the future of digital payments.

The post PayPal-Supported Funding Secures $63M to Grow Blockchain-Powered Gift Card Platform appeared first on Crypto Funding.

Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar, have become a game-changer for cross-border payments. By leveraging stablecoins, Coala Pay slashes transaction costs by up to 25%, ensuring that more donation funds reach those in need rather than being lost to fees.

“If this were just a business story, that metric alone would be remarkable,” said founder Melyn McKay. “But the fact that it translates into lives saved and communities served makes it all the more powerful.”

McKay’s journey with stablecoins began in 2021 while advising a European Union initiative in Myanmar. In the aftermath of a military coup that restricted access to private banking, she sought innovative ways to deliver aid without exposing recipients to government surveillance. Coala Pay emerged as the solution—enabling donors to fund on-the-ground programs via smart contracts while protecting the identities of both parties.

The platform rigorously vets both donors and local aid organizations, requiring thorough documentation to ensure legitimacy. Once verified, participants gain access to each other’s credentials, fostering transparency and trust.

Rather than relying on traditional agreements, Coala Pay automates donations through smart contracts, embedding the terms of each transaction into the blockchain. A dedicated token tracks how funds are used, adding an extra layer of accountability.

Coala Pay generates revenue by charging a service fee for facilitating these smart contracts. While McKay declined to disclose financial figures, the company’s rapid growth signals strong market traction.

With this new round of funding, Coala Pay plans to scale its operations, bringing in top talent with experience at the United Nations and U.S. government agencies. The company is poised to redefine how humanitarian aid is delivered—ensuring that every dollar makes a difference.

The post Stablecoin donation platform Coala Pay secures $3.5 million in funding round appeared first on Crypto Funding.

The funding round was led by White Star Capital, with additional backing from Lerer Hippeau, Arrington Capital, and Sonic Boom Ventures, reinforcing strong investor confidence in Lockchain’s vision.

Founded by Andrew Howard, Matt Higgins, and Irish entrepreneur Aidan Kehoe, Lockchain.ai is revolutionizing risk management and security for cryptocurrency trading and digital asset management. Since its launch in April 2024—following a year in stealth mode—the company has been delivering risk management recommendations to portfolios exceeding $2 billion in aggregate value.

Lockchain’s AI-powered platform processes vast amounts of data in real time, providing traders with a comprehensive risk overview, instant event notifications, actionable insights, and an advanced automation engine capable of executing pre-built playbooks and exit strategies.

CEO Andrew Howard emphasized the importance of robust risk management in the fast-moving cryptocurrency market. “Having worked with some of the largest portfolio teams over the past two years, we’ve proven the strength of our models. Our AI delivers insights, recommendations, and predictions at unparalleled speeds, making them an essential tool for investors,” he said. “With this Series A funding, we’re focused on expanding our core functionalities and enhancing our detection and monitoring capabilities.”

White Star Capital’s Managing Partner, Sep Alavi, underscored Lockchain’s impact on the industry. “Lockchain is setting a new standard for risk management in the blockchain space. Their combination of advanced AI and deep market expertise positions them as a game-changer for asset managers, traders, and regulators navigating this evolving landscape,” he said.

Chairman Aidan Kehoe brings a track record of success as a serial entrepreneur. Originally from Ireland, Kehoe moved to the U.S. in his 20s and went on to found Skout, a cybersecurity firm acquired by Barracuda Networks in 2021. He has also served on Ireland’s Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, further cementing his reputation as a leader in the tech and security sectors.

The post Irish co-founded Lockchain secures $5 million in funding round appeared first on Crypto Funding.

Raise, the global leader in gift cards and a pioneer in blockchain-driven payments, has successfully closed a $63 million funding round. Led by Haun Ventures, the round saw participation from industry giants including Amber Group, Anagram, Blackpine, Borderless Capital, GSR, Karatage, Paper Ventures, Pharsalus Capital, Selini Capital, Sonic Boom Ventures, the Web3 Foundation, and prominent investors such as Tekin Salimi, Raj Gokal, and Teddy Gorisse. This latest funding brings Raise’s total capital to over $220 million, following investments from Accel, PayPal, and New Enterprise Associates (NEA).

“Raise has fundamentally changed how consumers engage with gift cards—this is about loyalty, spending power, and redefining retail currency, not just gift-giving,” said George Bousis, Founder and CEO of Raise. “For over a decade, we’ve invested tens of millions to bring gift cards and loyalty programs on-chain. Now, we’re committing nine figures over the next several years to fully realize this vision. Having been involved in blockchain and crypto from the start, we’ve waited for the right regulatory environment and technological infrastructure to make this transformation possible. That time is now—what once were obstacles are now opportunities.”

Raise will use the new funding to advance its proprietary blockchain-based Smart Cards and expand the Retail Alliance Foundation, a non-profit coalition uniting global retailers and brands to build a secure, interoperable, and fraud-resistant gift card network. Raise has already contributed its intellectual property to the Alliance and its blockchain network in collaboration with BFG Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raise Holdings Ltd. The company’s mission is clear: to redefine gift cards as a fully programmable, secure retail currency that fosters deeper brand-customer engagement.

“Raise is tackling a massive, outdated market with the perfect blend of industry expertise, infrastructure, and blockchain innovation,” said Diogo Monica, General Partner at Haun Ventures. “This isn’t just a bet on the future of gift cards—it’s an investment in a proven team solving a trillion-dollar problem.”

Raise’s blockchain initiatives are accelerating, starting with the upcoming integration of DOT Wallet through a strategic partnership with the Polkadot Community Foundation. This will enable seamless transactions within Raise’s ecosystem. Additionally, the company has partnered with WalletConnect to integrate its platform with top digital wallets, including Coinbase, MetaMask, Phantom, Trust, and others soon to be announced. Raise is also expanding its B2B partnerships, collaborating with major financial institutions and loyalty programs such as Citi Bank and BILT Rewards.

As part of its rapid growth, Raise has appointed an exceptional Board of Directors, featuring Marco Santori (former CLO at Kraken, ex-President of Blockchain.com), George Ruan (co-founder and former CEO of Honey), Matt Maloney (founder and former CEO of GrubHub), and Bjorn Wagner (CEO of Parity Technologies). Their leadership will be instrumental in driving Raise’s mission forward.

With global gift card sales projected to surpass $2.3 trillion by 2030, the industry has evolved beyond simple transactions into a cornerstone of modern retail. Since its inception, Raise has facilitated over $5 billion in transactions for nearly 7 million users and 1,000+ retail partners, continually setting the standard for innovation. Now, with blockchain-powered gift cards, Raise is leading the charge in reshaping how consumers use, value, and trust digital payments.

The future of gift cards is here—and Raise is making it happen.

The post Raise Secures $63 Million to Revolutionize Payments and Loyalty with Blockchain-Driven Gift Cards appeared first on Crypto Funding.