The cryptocurrency and blockchain venture capital landscape has demonstrated a strong resurgence, with investments rebounding significantly. Improved conditions, including shifting interest rates and clearer regulatory frameworks in key markets, have created a more favorable environment for venture capital activity. This positive momentum is expected to continue throughout the coming year.
This resurgence is largely attributed to the ongoing crypto bull market. Industry analysts often note that venture funding in the crypto space tends to lag behind broader market cycles by several quarters. January witnessed a diverse range of successful funding rounds, particularly focused on areas like Bitcoin-based real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, blockchain gaming, ecosystem incubation, and Web3 advertising infrastructure.
Hamilton Treasury Secures Funding to Advance Bitcoin RWA Tokenization
The tokenization protocol Hamilton Treasury has successfully closed a $1.7 million seed funding round. The protocol is building a bridge between traditional finance and Bitcoin by tokenizing real-world financial assets—such as treasury bills, Islamic-compliant bonds, and real estate—directly on the Bitcoin network. Beyond this, Hamilton has developed the Publius platform, enabling financial institutions to tokenize any asset on Bitcoin.
Its initial product suite includes HUSD, a Bitcoin-native stablecoin backed by U.S. Treasuries, and HUST, a tokenized representation of a U.S. Treasury bond.
"Bitcoin is more than digital gold; it is the foundational layer for the future of capital markets," stated Mohamed Elkasstawi, CEO of Hamilton.
The total value of tokenized RWAs is currently substantial and projected for exponential growth. Institutional players are increasingly looking to this technology to inject liquidity into traditionally illiquid asset classes. Analysts forecast the market could expand into a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity within the next decade.
👉 Explore advanced tokenization strategies
Gate Ventures Commits $20M to BNB Chain Incubation Alliance
Gate Ventures, the investment arm of the Gate.io exchange, has pledged $20 million to the BNB Incubation Alliance (BIA). This initiative is designed to connect developers with venture investors and provide comprehensive support. The collaboration will offer early-stage blockchain projects access to crucial capital, expert mentorship, and extensive ecosystem resources.
While the funding will support a variety of projects, there is a stated focus on builders operating within Web3, artificial intelligence, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Gate Ventures maintains an active portfolio of investments across the blockchain industry, demonstrating a continued commitment to fostering innovation in the sector.
Keplr Wallet Reaches $50M Valuation Following New Funding Round
Keplr Wallet, a prominent noncustodial cryptocurrency wallet provider, has raised $5 million in a seed round that values the company at $50 million. The funding was led by 1confirmation, with significant participation from Coinbase Ventures, Hashkey Capital, and other firms.
A key feature of Keplr is its interoperability, allowing users to manage their on-chain activities across more than 250 different networks without the need to switch wallets or interfaces. The platform reports over one million monthly active users. According to co-founder Josh Lee, users have self-custodied assets exceeding $5 billion in value through the Keplr wallet.
EarnOS on Xion Blockchain Raises $5M for Web3 Advertising
EarnOS, a consumer engagement and digital advertising platform built on the Xion blockchain, has secured $5 million in funding. The investment round was led by EV3 Ventures and saw participation from Animoca Brands, GD1, and Laser Digital.
Currently in its test phase, the platform allows users to earn stablecoin rewards by engaging with campaigns from major brands. These rewards are designed to be spent in the real world using a forthcoming EarnOS debit card. For brands launching campaigns on the platform, it offers the promise of reaching authentic and verifiable users, potentially enabling better customer discovery.
EarnOS claims a user base of over 320,000 and has established partnerships with well-known brands including Uber, The North Face, Lacoste, and Baskin Robbins.
DePIN Protocol Starpower Closes $2.5 Million Investment
Starpower, an open decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) focused on energy, has raised $2.5 million. The round was led by Framework Ventures, with Solana Ventures and Bitscale Capital also participating. This new investment builds upon a previous $1.5 million raise led by Alliance DAO.
The company collaborates with manufacturers of renewable energy equipment to develop advanced batteries that can be integrated into its DePIN. These batteries are engineered to meet the rising energy demands of emerging industries like artificial intelligence and advanced data centers. The Starpower system can integrate with various devices, including electric vehicle chargers, storage batteries, water heaters, and air conditioning units. Users who connect compatible hardware to the network can earn cryptocurrency rewards.
Web3 Game Developer Hyve Labs Secures Pre-Seed Funding
Web3 gaming studio Hyve Labs has completed a $2.75 million pre-seed funding round. The capital will be used to expand its gaming infrastructure, with a focus on enabling true ownership of chain-based assets and developing a cross-chain game launcher. Framework Ventures led this round as well, joined by other venture firms and angel investors.
Hyve Labs is developing a decentralized gaming ecosystem intended to connect with major social media and messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord. The company has not yet publicly announced a release date for its testnet or its first flagship game.
The Web3 gaming market is widely viewed as a high-growth segment. While estimates vary, industry analyses consistently project the market to reach a massive scale by the early 2030s, driven by player demand for ownership and interoperability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization?
RWA tokenization is the process of converting rights to a physical or traditional financial asset into a digital token on a blockchain. This can include real estate, commodities, bonds, or even fine art. It aims to enhance liquidity, enable fractional ownership, and streamline settlement processes.
Why is there so much venture capital flowing into crypto now?
The rebound is fueled by a combination of a strong crypto market, expectations of lower interest rates making risk capital more accessible, and increasing regulatory clarity in major markets like the U.S., which reduces uncertainty for investors.
How do users earn rewards with a DePIN like Starpower?
Users can earn rewards by contributing real-world resources to a decentralized network. In Starpower's case, users would connect approved energy-producing or energy-saving hardware to the network. They are then compensated with cryptocurrency tokens for the resources they provide or the data they share.
What makes Web3 gaming different from traditional gaming?
Web3 gaming typically incorporates blockchain technology to give players true ownership of in-game assets (like characters, skins, or items) in the form of NFTs. These assets can often be traded or used across different games, and gameplay might involve earning cryptocurrency rewards.
What is the main value proposition of a multi-chain wallet?
A multi-chain wallet allows users to interact with dozens or even hundreds of different blockchains from a single interface. This eliminates the need to manage multiple wallets for different ecosystems, simplifying the user experience and making it easier to manage a diverse cryptocurrency portfolio.
Are stablecoin rewards from platforms like EarnOS considered secure?
The security of rewards depends on the stability of the underlying stablecoin asset and the security practices of the platform itself. Users should always conduct their own research to understand the collateral backing a stablecoin and the track record of the platform offering the rewards.