The crypto industry just witnessed a seismic week for venture funding, as total investments from May 18–24 soared to $307.5 million. The primary highlight: World Foundation dominated headlines with a massive $135 million raise, spearheading innovation in blockchain-based digital identity. The main keyword, “crypto venture funding,” sets the context for this period’s unprecedented activity, reaffirming market confidence in decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital assets.
Major Crypto Deals: Blockchain Meets Big Capital
Finance, banking, and payment services stole the spotlight, attracting hefty investments from top-tier backers. Here’s a breakdown of the standout projects shaping this week’s funding landscape:
World Foundation
- Locked in $135 million from leading investors including a16z and Bain Capital Crypto.
- The project’s cumulative raise now stands at $375 million—a signal of sustained confidence.
- Funds aim to advance World ID, a biometric, iris-based identity network offering secure, pseudonymous blockchain verification for users worldwide.
- The move comes as authorities and industry experts debate privacy and scalability in digital ID systems, a hot topic as mass crypto adoption inches closer. Read more on biometric ID and partnerships.
Slash
- Bagged $41 million in Series B, hiking its fully diluted valuation to $370 million.
- With total funding reaching $60 million, Slash is positioning itself for leadership in blockchain-powered financial services.
- Investment led by Goodwater, a notable venture name in the crypto payment sector.
Catena Labs
- Secured $18 million in seed funding from a16z crypto, Breyer Capital, and Z Ventures.
- Catena’s round included a fresh investor, underlining growing institutional appetite for decentralized app development.
- For newcomers exploring app creation or investment in crypto, visit our beginner’s guide to cryptocurrency trading.
Roxom
- Raised $17.9 million from prominent backers like Draper Associates.
- The startup has attracted $22.2 million in cumulative investments to date.
TrueX
- Former Coinbase engineers captured $11 million for their Solana-based DeFi platform, True Markets.
- The app promises real-time execution and robust self-custody solutions, critical for transparency and security on modern blockchains.
Early-Stage Crypto Funding: The Next Wave
The week also spotlighted strong funding momentum in up-and-coming crypto ventures, many raising under $6 million but demonstrating clear potential:
- Hyperdrive: $6 million Series A fuels DeFi protocol launches.
- Acurast: Public sale draws $5.4 million at a $90M valuation.
- VOYA Games: $5 million to expand the “Craft World” gaming ecosystem.
- Rover: Seed investment of $4.1 million for staking innovation.
- Stablecorp: QCAD project secured $1.8 million for stablecoin growth in Canada.
- Fermi Labs: $1.2 million pre-seed signals continued blockchain infrastructure innovation.
Expert Insight: Why Crypto Venture Funding is Escalating
Experts say the sharp rise in funding highlights renewed institutional belief in crypto’s core technologies—especially as blockchain, staking, and DeFi applications start delivering real-world value. “Staking in crypto has evolved into a key driver for investor interest, creating sustainable income streams and ecosystem incentives,” notes one blockchain analyst. The sector’s broad investment base signals deepening maturity and expanding influence beyond just digital currencies, positioning crypto as a long-term component in modern finance.
As regulatory frameworks clarify and global adoption accelerates, watch for sustained venture flows into innovative crypto platforms and blockchain applications. The coming months could be pivotal for projects building on these strong financial and technological foundations.