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The Best Crypto VCs for Project Funding in 2026

Blockchain & Crypto
Ekokotu Emmanuel Eguono
February 6, 2026
00
min

You have a groundbreaking crypto startup and need funding to take it to the next level. Getting investment from the right crypto venture capital (VC) firm could be the boost your business needs. 

The crypto market moves fast, so you want VCs who understand the space and can help strategize for future growth. So what's the best crypto vc firm for startups looking for crypto-native partners?

If you are specifically looking for a crypto vc fund, several leading firms like Coinbase Ventures, Pantera Capital, Paradigm, and Digital Currency Group run dedicated funds that back early- and growth-stage Web3 startups. We researched the top crypto VC firms in 2026 to create a comprehensive list you can pitch to. 

Whether you need early seed funding or Series A investment, these 33 firms actively fund crypto projects across decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3, NFTs, the metaverse, and more.

What Are Crypto VCs and How Do They Work?

Crypto venture capital (VC) firms specialize in investing in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and Web3 startups. Unlike traditional VCs, crypto-focused firms understand the unique dynamics of decentralized networks, tokenomics, blockchain infrastructure, and regulatory challenges specific to the crypto ecosystem.

Crypto VC firms pool capital from institutional investors, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and sometimes their own cryptocurrency holdings to create investment funds. These funds specifically target blockchain-based companies and protocols showing high growth potential.

VCs actively scout for promising crypto projects through industry networks, conferences, accelerators, and direct applications. They employ rigorous evaluation of the team, technology, tokenomics, market opportunity, and competitive landscape.

Once they find a company with potential, they deploy capital in exchange for equity, tokens, or a combination (SAFT agreements are common). This is typically done is several stages known as funding rounds. Having an understanding the different funding stages helps founders target the right VCs at the right time. Crypto startups typically progress through these rounds:

Types of VC Funding Rounds
  • Pre-Seed Funding: Pre-seed funding kicks off product development and testing. Investments at this very early stage usually come from friends, family, or an angel investor rather than a formal VC firm.
  • Seed Round: A seed round formally launches your crypto startup. Seed funding allows you to expand your team to further build out product features and technology. At this stage, you would seek a crypto-focused VC firm for an initial investment of $500,000 to $2 million.
  • Series A: After seed funding and showing market traction, Series A investments take your crypto startup to the next level. Series A can raise $2 to $15 million.
  • Series B: In Series B funding rounds, crypto startups can access higher capital, often over $30 million. These mid-stage investments aid taking products global and scaling technology.
  • Series C and Beyond: Later stage Series C funding and beyond provides expansion capital as a crypto startup continues maturing.

Most crypto VCs follow typical early stage funding rounds. Beyond capital, top crypto also help with marketing and community building support, technical expertise and security audits, as well as follow-on funding in later rounds. They also provide mentoring to guide the startup founders, introduce the new companies to important contacts in the crypto industry who can help with marketing and other aspects of the launch.

Top Crypto VC Funds to Watch in 2025

As you put together a wish list of crypto VCs to pitch, here are 33 of the top firms you should have on your radar in 2025:

1. Coinbase Ventures - 300+ Portfolio Companies, Most Active Investor

Coinbase Ventures

As the venture capital arm of the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange, and as such, portfolio companies benefit from potential exchange listings, deep liquidity relationships, and access to Coinbase's 100M+ user ecosystem. Recently, a post‑quantum security and migration infrastructure company for digital assets that raised a $20M Series A round from Coinbase and a few other VCs. The firm takes a hands-on approach with regulatory guidance and go-to-market support, investing in promising early-stage blockchain startups across decentralized finance, NFTs, Web3 and more.

Portfolio:

  • Near
  • Etherscan
  • Alchemy
  • Magic Eden
  • OpenSea

2. a16z – Early Crypto Backer With Over $35B AUM

a16z

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is an early backer of crypto startups, with over $35 billion in assets under management across multiple funds. The prominent VC firm sees major potential in crypto weand has funded some of the biggest names in DeFi, NFTs and more.

Portfolio:

  • Maker
  • Celo
  • LayerZero
  • Fei Protocol
  • Dapper Labs

3. Pantera Capital - $3.3B AUM Across Over 210 Crypto Projects

Pantera Capital

Pantera Capital is a blockchain investment firm that manages over $3 billion in crypto assets. Since 2013, the firm has invested in more than 210 projects including over 100 startups and 110 token deals.

Portfolio:

  • 1inch
  • Alchemy
  • Anchor

4. Paradigm - $2.5B Crypto Fund With 100+ Investments

Paradigm

Paradigm raised a $2.5 billion crypto-focused venture fund in 2021 and has quickly become an influential VC firm in the space. To date, Paradigm has invested in over 100 emerging crypto startups.

Portfolio:

  • Compound
  • Coinbase
  • dYdX
  • Maker
  • Moonpay

5. Polychain Capital - Recently Raised $400M Crypto Fund

Polychain Capital is a leading crypto-focused VC firm that recently raised $400 million for its latest venture fund. It specializes in backing protocols, infrastructure, and other early-stage blockchain startups.

Portfolio:

  • Cosmos
  • Uniswap
  • Avalanche

6. Binance Labs - Funded 100+ Projects With $100M

Binance Labs is the investment arm of Binance Exchange, created to financially and resourcefully support blockchain startups. With an initial $100 million fund, Binance Labs has invested in over 100 early-stage projects since 2018.

Portfolio:

  • Open Campus
  • SkyArk Chronicles Holdings

7. Digital Currency Group - Raised $1.3B With $55B+ AUM

  • Address: 636 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10011, United States
  • Phone: (866)-590-6542
  • Website: https://dcg.co/

Digital Currency Group (DCG) is a major crypto investment firm that has raised $1.3 billion in funding and has over $55 billion in assets under management as of November 2021. DCG actively invests in crypto startups.

Portfolio:

  • Circle
  • Luno
  • Foundry

8. NGC Ventures - Multi-National VC With $500M+ AUM

NGC Ventures is the venture capital arm of NCG Group, a multi-national blockchain investment firm with over $500 million in assets under management. NGC Ventures backs promising crypto projects globally.

Portfolio:

  • Solana
  • Avalanche
  • Ziliqa

9. AU21 Capital - 170+ Crypto & Blockchain Investments

AU21 Capital

AU21 Capital is a blockchain-focused investment firm with a proven track record and over 170 crypto projects funded so far. It specializes in helping early-stage startups launch and expand.

Portfolio:

  • MultiversX
  • DAO Maker
  • IoTeX

10. LD Capital - Leading Crypto Fund With $100M+ AUM

LD Capital is a prominent crypto-focused VC firm with over $100 million in assets under management. It invests heavily in early-stage blockchain projects across both primary and secondary markets.

Portfolio:

  • ImmutableX
  • Flow
  • Illuvium
  • Decentraland
  • Realm

11. Animoca Brands - Invested $100M+ in 400+ Crypto Projects

Animoca Brands is a leading blockchain gaming and NFT investor with a portfolio of over 400 projects. They have invested over $150 million into crypto startups and decentralized apps focused on digital property rights.

Portfolio:

  • OpenSea
  • Axie Infinity
  • Dapper Labs
  • The Sandbox
  • Colossal

12.Sequoia Capital - $9B VC Backing 500+ Startups

Prominent VC firm Sequoia Capital manages multiple investment funds totaling over $9 billion in assets under management. Known for betting early on disruptive startups, Sequoia has backed over 500 companies.

Portfolio:

  • Canva
  • Animoca Brands
  • Klarna
  • Getir
  • The Boring Company

13. Blockchain Capital - Raised $1.5B For Blockchain Investments

Blockchain Capital is one of the earliest, most active, and well-known investors focused exclusively on the blockchain technology industry. Since its founding in 2013, the firm has raised $1.58 billion to invest in crypto and blockchain-enabled companies.

Portfolio:

  • BitGo
  • Unikrn
  • Authy

14. Boost VC - 250+ Crypto Investments With Accelerator

Boost VC runs an accelerator program and has invested in over 250 crypto and blockchain startups since launching in 2012. The firm focuses on early-stage teams, providing funding, mentoring and other resources.

Portfolio:

  • 21 Shares
  • Etherscan
  • SideQuest
  • Wave

15. Continue Capital - Betting Big on Web 3.0 Cryptos

Continue Capital is a crypto-focused venture capital firm backing startups and protocols that will bring the next billion users into the Web 3.0 ecosystem. The fund mainly invests in later-stage networks like Polkadot and Near.

Portfolio:

  • Polkadot
  • Ava Labs
  • Chainlink
  • Filecoin

16. Protocol Ventures - Exclusive Fund For Qualified Purchasers

Protocol Ventures is a closed crypto fund accessible only to qualified purchasers with $5 million+ in assets. With an exclusive investor network, Protocol Ventures provides seed funding for promising Web3 and DeFi startups.

Portfolio:

  • Febit
  • Panther Protocol
  • Pandora Finance
  • Surf

17. DHVC - $343M Fund Focused on Crypto Startups

Danhua Capital (DHVC) is a venture capital firm investing primarily in early-stage technology startups, with a strong focus on backing crypto projects. DHVC's latest $343 million VC fund aims to support founders building blockchain innovations.

Portfolio:

  • BitKeep
  • InfStones
  • Ping

18. Dragonfly Capital - Specialist in DeFi and NFTs

Dragonfly Capital Partners is a crypto-centric investment firm focused on decentralized finance (DeFi), centralized finance (CeFi), NFTs, layer 1s, layer 2s and Web3 infrastructure. To date, Dragonfly has backed over 160 crypto startups.

Portfolio:

  • Compound
  • dYdX
  • Immutable

19. Electric Capital - $1B in Crypto Funds Under Management

Venture firm Electric Capital has raised over $1 billion to invest specifically in crypto networks, protocols, and blockchain businesses. Their portfolio includes over 160 Web3 startups.

Portfolio:

  • Bitwise
  • dYdX
  • Frax
  • Immunefi

20. Fenbushi Capital - First Asian Blockchain VC

Fenbushi Capital is the first and most active blockchain-focused VC firm in Asia. Founded in 2015, Fenbushi has backed over 150 companies creating cryptocurrency and Web3 innovations.

Portfolio:

  • AlgoTrader
  • AphaWallet
  • Archax
  • Amberdata

21. Genblock Capital - Specialized Crypto & DeFi Investor

Genblock Capital exclusively invests in blockchain companies and crypto networks, with a particular focus on the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. Their portfolio includes backing protocols like Uniswap and Kyber Network.

Portfolio:

  • Bancor
  • Kyber
  • Filecoin
  • Ox

22. Gumi Cryptos - Early-Stage Crypto Investor

Gumi Cryptos Capital is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage crypto and blockchain startups. With an average round investment of $6 million, Gumi Cryptos typically funds 12 new projects per year across various sectors.

Portfolio:

  • 1inch
  • Agoric
  • Alliance
  • Amulet

23. Jump Crypto - Backing Crypto Infrastructure

Jump Crypto invests in crypto infrastructure, protocols and applications that have the potential to reach mainstream adoption. With average investments around $20 million, Jump Crypto aims to provide meaningful funding and support.

Portfolio:

  • Membrane Labs
  • Open Cover
  • Lumina
  • Port3

24. Kenetic Capital - Early Crypto VC With $65M AUM

Founded in 2016, Kenetic is one of the first institutional investment firms entering the crypto asset class. With over $65 million assets under management, Kenetic invests in promising blockchain projects globally.

Portfolio:

  • Ethereum
  • Polkadot
  • Near
  • Certik

25. Multicoin Capital - Thesis-Driven Crypto Investor

Multicoin Capital is a thesis-driven crypto investment firm focused on backing tokens, networks, and companies that are reshaping trillion-dollar industries. With deep research, Multicoin aims to capture value from the growth of cryptonetworks over long time horizons.

Portfolio:

  • Oxygen
  • Bakkt
  • Perpetual Protocol
  • Audios

26. Outlier Ventures - 278 Web3 Investments

Outlier Ventures is dedicated to supporting founders building the open metaverse - the convergence of Web3, VR/AR, AI and IoT. Since 2014, Outlier has made over 278 investments into developers and startups across gaming, NFTs and decentralized infrastructure.

Portfolio:

  • Agoric
  • Alkemi
  • OxKyC
  • 31Third

27. Placeholder VC - Early DeFi & Protocol Investor

Placeholder VC focuses on backing decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, applications and crypto-networks - investing in blockchain pioneers like Aave, Numerai and Handshake early on. Though the fund size is unknown, Placeholder manages an extensive portfolio of over 70 blockchain companies.

Portfolio:

  • Ox
  • Kusama
  • Across
  • Arweave

28. GBV Capital - Blockchain Fund With $250K Minimum

Global Blockchain Ventures (GBV) is a crypto-focused fund that invests across protocols, DeFi, NFTs, Metaverse and more. Their fund requires a $250K minimum investment from individuals and $1M from institutions.

Portfolio:

  • OMG Network
  • Aura Network
  • Alpha Finance
  • Boba Network

29. Block Labs - Blockchain Accelerator With $29B AUM

Block Labs operates an accelerator program for early-stage blockchain startups in Eastern Europe. The firm provides funding, mentoring and support services to help prepare projects for investment rounds with their network of partners and investors managing $29 billion in assets.

Portfolio: Not publicly available

30. FBG Capital - Invested $100M+ in 60+ Crypto Projects

FBG Capital is a cryptocurrency investment firm focused on the Chinese market. With over 60 investments, FBG provides funding and active operational support to blockchain and crypto startups.

Portfolio:

  • Ampleforth
  • FTX Exchange
  • Dapp.com
  • Wintermute Trading

31. Framework Ventures - $100M Blockchain Fund

Framework Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain-based gaming companies. With over 70 portfolio investments, they leverage deep expertise in liquid crypto assets and crypto-native governance.

Portfolio:

  • Optimism
  • Certora
  • Endaoment
  • SZNS

32. The Spartan Group - Multi-Sector Blockchain Investor

The Spartan Group is a blockchain investment firm focused on backing startups across various industries, including DeFi, NFTs, gaming, infrastructure and more. With 100+ portfolio companies, Spartan provides hands-on support.

Portfolio:

  • Consensys
  • SOLV
  • Omni Network
  • Nameless

33. Crypto Nation - Early-Stage Crypto VC

Crypto Nation is a Strasbourg-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage blockchain startups. While details are limited, their first two investments have focused on gaming and NFT projects.

Portfolio:

  • Atlantis Universe
  • H3RO3S

What Crypto VCs Look For in Blockchain Startups

Venture capitalists invest in early-stage companies they believe can deliver huge returns. When evaluating crypto startups, here's what VCs look for:

  • Technical Capabilities of the Founding Team: A founding team with exceptional blockchain engineering and cryptography skills gives investors confidence. Credentials like previous crypto projects and academic expertise make an impression.
  • Usage and Adoption Traction: Metrics that show user growth, transaction volume, revenue, and platform engagement prove your crypto business model. Quickly gaining adoption indicates you may be the next big disruptor.
  • Long-Term Vision and Development Roadmap: A compelling mission that solves real-world problems turns heads. VCs also want to see a solid long-term roadmap for enhancing the protocol, improving features, and sustaining growth.
  • Defensibility Against Competitors: Innovative code and blockchain architecture that can’t easily be replicated or displaced matters. Niche focus areas also help foster defensibility.

Crypto VC Funding Trends in 2026

The crypto venture capital landscape in 2026 shows distinct patterns compared to the 2021-2022 boom cycle. Understanding these trends helps founders position their projects for funding success.

1. Stablecoins Dominate VC Attention

Stablecoins emerged as the "belle of the ball" in 2025 and continue commanding significant VC interest in 2026. The sector increasingly overlaps with traditional fintech, attracting institutional capital seeking exposure to crypto payments infrastructure with clearer regulatory frameworks.

Why VCs love stablecoins:

  • Proven product-market fit with billions in daily transaction volume
  • Simpler revenue models based on transaction fees and yield
  • Increasing regulatory clarity, especially in the U.S.
  • Integration with traditional financial rails

2. AI x Crypto Intersection Gains Momentum

While many AI-crypto projects remain "solutions searching for problems," VCs are increasingly focused on legitimate use cases where blockchain provides value to AI systems:

  • Agentic commerce: Stablecoin payments for AI agents and autonomous systems
  • Decentralized compute networks for AI training
  • Data verification and provenance using blockchain
  • AI-powered DeFi protocols and trading systems

3. Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Accelerates

Tokenization of real-world assets—including treasuries, real estate, commodities, and securities—continues attracting institutional VC dollars as liquidity infrastructure improves.

4. Concentration in Later-Stage Deals

Unlike 2021-2022, crypto VC funding in 2026 shows heavy concentration in later-stage companies (Series A and beyond) at the expense of early-stage seed funding. This reflects:

  • Fewer VC dollars available overall
  • Higher bar for investments (traction over narratives)
  • Preference for proven business models
  • Limited partner (LP) caution after underperformance vs. bitcoin

5. Prediction Markets and "Markets for Everything"

Following the success of platforms like Polymarket, VCs are backing applications that create markets for diverse outcomes—from political events to perpetual futures on any asset class.

6. Moderation in Infrastructure Investments

With the market already crowded with Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains, VCs are becoming more selective about infrastructure investments, focusing only on highly differentiated solutions with clear value capture mechanisms.

2026 Investment Activity Snapshot

  • Total crypto VC funding (2025): ~$18.9 billion in traditional venture capital
  • Deal count: Down ~60% year-over-year to approximately 1,200 transactions
  • Average deal size: Increasing as capital concentrates
  • Most active sectors: Stablecoins, payments, institutional infrastructure, prediction markets
  • Declining sectors: Generic L1/L2s, undifferentiated DeFi protocols, speculative AI-crypto

Regulatory Impact

The expected passage of comprehensive crypto market structure legislation in the U.S. Congress in 2026 (following the GENIUS Act) represents a significant potential catalyst for increased startup activity and VC deployment.

Tips for Pitching Your Crypto Startup to VC Investors

Crafting the perfect VC pitch can lead to the funding you need. Use these tips when presenting your blockchain company:

Highlight Traction and Your Team

Flaunt metrics like daily active users, revenue run rate and partnerships. Introduce co-founders with previous exits, all-star advisors, and technical expertise.

Emphasize Network Effects

Explain how your crypto product or platform will benefit from network effects over time. Show existing developer and community engagement.

Convey Your Vision

Communicate how you’ll disrupt global finance, gaming, social networks, etc. VCs think big so sell your larger vision.

Flaunt Technical Innovation

Detail the advanced cryptography, tokenomics, consensus mechanisms that make your blockchain startup stand out from the pack.

With the right pitch, your innovative crypto startup can grab investor attention - along with crucial VC funding.

Next Steps for Crypto Founders

If you run an early-stage crypto startup, research the VC firms profiled more in-depth. Identify those making investments similar in size, stage and industry to pinpoint the best matches.

Then start networking to connect with partners at your top target crypto VCs. Get referrals to warm introductions that can lead to pitching opportunities. With a compelling business model and the right VC relationships, you can transform your ambitious blockchain vision into reality.

Highlights

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