Follow Web3 news and funding trends with our daily updated dashboard on startups and investment in the Web3, crypto and blockchain sectors, based on Crunchbase’s comprehensive data.
Last updated: 07/16/2026
Eleven companies joined The Crunchbase Unicorn Board in April 2024 — a big jump up from the six companies that joined in April 2023 but still a fraction of the 40 added to the board in April 2022.
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The Web3 Tracker is a one-stop shop for following Web3 trends, news and data about venture funding and leading investors in the sector.
Web3 refers to the next evolution of the internet primarily built on blockchain technology. While the concept has been around for just under a decade and didn’t enter mainstream usage until a few years ago, the Web3 sector has attracted more than $100 billion in investment, Crunchbase data shows.
Web3: A brief history
Whereas Web 1.0 represents the early days of the internet and its static, heavy content-related nature, Web 2.0 was the maturation of that into a more user-generated network that brought about more utility, sharing and interactivity.
Web3 could be the most significant step yet. The term was coined by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood in 2014 and refers to moving the internet toward decentralized technologies with the promise of increased transparency and accessibility. Proponents say the shift toward Web3 will make the internet open to more innovative technologies and shift power away from large tech companies.
Web3 is an umbrella term used to describe a new iteration of the Internet that’s primarily built on blockchain technology.
While the Internet of today—or Web2—primarily focuses on user generated content, social networking and cloud computing, Web3’s core focus is on decentralization, transparency and accessibility. The technology ushering in this new era was created in response to the centralized nature of the Internet and the perception that a handful of large corporations control what is and isn’t allowed on the web. Web3 proponents say it puts the power back into the hands of users and creates a more open, transparent and accessible Internet ecosystem.
A few examples of Web3 companies in the U.S. include Alchemy, a developer platform that helps companies build reliable decentralized applications; Polygon, a platform for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development; and Chainlink, a startup that’s focused on making it easier for traditional data sources, such as APIs, to connect with blockchain technology.
The top three Web3 startups by total funding are Block.one, with $4.1 billion raised; Bitstocks Trading Limited, with £1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) raised; and FTX Exchange, with $1.7 billion raised.
The top three startups in the Web3 ecosystem with the highest valuations are FTX Exchange, valued at $32 billion; Blockchain.com, valued at $14 billion; and OpenSea, valued at $13.3 billion.
While Web3 isn’t a technology, there have been innovations created based on what the concept represents: a decentralized internet. An NFT, or non-fungible token, is an example of one such innovation. NFTs allow individuals to claim ownership over digital art and other assets. For example, if you’re an artist, you can turn an art piece into an NFT and sell it on a marketplace like OpenSea. To purchase the NFT, an individual might pay you 5 Ether for ownership rights. Your newly acquired Ether coins could then increase (or decrease) in value based on demand and market conditions.
A cryptocurrency is a digital currency that’s tradeable and uses cryptography to secure transactions. To create more transparency, these transactions are primarily stored on the blockchain, making them completely traceable.
There are a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, each with its own use case. For example, Bitcoin is considered a store of value. Stellar Lumens (also known as XLM), the token created by the Stellar Development Foundation, was created to help individuals transfer money quickly. These cryptocurrencies, and many like them, can be used for things like investing and making purchases.
Note: please do your research before investing in any cryptocurrency or digital asset.
No. Web3 is the name used to describe the innovations that blockchain technology has given rise to. Cryptocurrency is the digital currency used within the blockchain ecosystem.
To understand how Web3 works, first you need to know the basics of blockchain technology. The blockchain is a distributed database, or ledger, that’s not owned by any one entity (decentralization). It stores information, such as cryptocurrency transactions, in a digital format that can’t be edited or deleted (transparency). This information is stored in a “block” that connects to other blocks when it reaches storage capacity limits, creating a chain. Hence the name blockchain.
With the transparent and decentralized nature of the blockchain, developers are now building a new wave of innovative applications that leverage this technology; what is now known as Web3.
Yes. Our Web3 Tracker is a public resource. We do ask that you please cite Crunchbase as the data source and include a link to the Web3 Tracker when possible. For additional press inquiries, email press@crunchbase.com.
Please reach out to support@crunchbase.com if your company’s data needs to be updated or if something is missing.
All of our Web3 news and trends coverage is here.
Nous Research
$2B
Nous Research is a decentralized AI startup that focuses on developing open-source, human-centric artificial intelligence models and tools. Its work encompasses large language model architecture, data synthesis, fine-tuning, and reasoning, aiming to align AI systems with real-world user experiences. In addition to model development, the organization emphasizes decentralized AI training. It utilizes blockchain technology, specifically the Solana network, to coordinate and incentivize global participation in training its AI models. This approach allows individuals worldwide to contribute idle computing power for AI training, promoting a more distributed and collaborative development process.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $145M
Gauntlet
$897M
Gauntlet develops quantitative risk management and yield optimization solutions for decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and institutional participants. The company uses data analysis, simulation modeling, and economic research to evaluate protocol risks, optimize financial parameters, and support decision-making across blockchain ecosystems. It provides self-custodial vault strategies that allocate capital across lending, restaking, and other on-chain yield opportunities while continuously monitoring market conditions. Gauntlet also publishes research on cryptoeconomics, protocol design, and risk management to improve the understanding of decentralized financial systems. Its platform serves financial institutions, fintech companies, exchanges, wallets, and blockchain protocols by combining quantitative modeling, automated risk analysis, and ongoing market monitoring to support the management of digital assets and DeFi infrastructure.
Brooklyn, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $170M
Digital Asset
$2B
Digital Asset describes itself as a provider of blockchain-based software and services that help institutions build and run distributed applications for finance and other regulated markets. The company offers a smart-contract platform called Daml together with its public blockchain network, Canton Network, enabling enterprises to tokenize real-world assets and manage digital asset lifecycles. Through its tools and developer SDK, clients can deploy applications that support tokenization, clearing and settlement, custody and asset servicing, collateral mobility, digital cash, and other workflows across institutional participants. Digital Asset supports interoperability across multiple systems while preserving privacy and regulatory control for participants.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 4
Total Funding Amount $847M
Polymarket
$9B
Polymarket enables participants to buy and sell shares that represent the probability of specific outcomes, with prices ranging between zero and one dollar to reflect market expectations. Trades occur in a peer-to-peer order book where users transact directly with one another rather than with a central counterparty. Polymarket uses USDC.e as collateral and represents positions as conditional tokens that are settled through smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain. Event outcomes are resolved through a decentralized oracle process that verifies results before distributing payouts to holders of winning shares. The platform uses a non-custodial model where participants maintain control of their assets through personal wallets while all transactions and positions remain publicly verifiable onchain.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 4
Total Funding Amount $3B
Ripple
$40B
Ripple provides one frictionless experience to send money globally using the power of blockchain. It offers a global real-time payment system that enables banks and financial institutions around the world to directly transact with each other without the need for a central correspondent. The company also offers FX Market Making, a solution enabling enterprises to gain access to cross-currency liquidity through a distributed network that allows foreign exchange to be externally sourced from a competitive FX marketplace or an internal FX trading desk. This minimizes FX exposure thereby lowering the volatility and counter-party risk of trades. Ripple Insights features industry updates, insider perspectives, and in-depth market analysis.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 8
Total Funding Amount $794M
Ripple
$40B
Ripple provides one frictionless experience to send money globally using the power of blockchain. It offers a global real-time payment system that enables banks and financial institutions around the world to directly transact with each other without the need for a central correspondent. The company also offers FX Market Making, a solution enabling enterprises to gain access to cross-currency liquidity through a distributed network that allows foreign exchange to be externally sourced from a competitive FX marketplace or an internal FX trading desk. This minimizes FX exposure thereby lowering the volatility and counter-party risk of trades. Ripple Insights features industry updates, insider perspectives, and in-depth market analysis.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 8
Total Funding Amount $794M
OKX
$25B
OKX is the second largest global crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 ecosystem. With monthly Proof of Reserve releases, OKX is trusted by over 50 million global users. OKX is the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for professional traders everywhere. - Buy, sell, and trade 350+ tokens with 100+ local currencies - Duplicate moves from top traders in the industry in just one click - Explore Web3 and take control of your crypto, NFTs, and digital assets with the OKX Wallet With its extensive range of crypto products and services, and unwavering commitment to innovation, OKX’s vision is a world where financial access is backed by blockchain and the power of decentralized finance.
Mahé, Seychelles, Africa
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $210M
Trade Republic
$15B
Trade Republic is a mobile-only and commission-free broker that brings the opportunity to invest easily. The company works as a broker for a new generation for a more mobile, more intuitive, faster - and permanently free of commission. Trade Republic was founded in 2015 and based in Berlin, Germany.
Berlin, Germany, Europe
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $1B
Kraken
$13B
Kraken is a digital asset exchange and related services provider that enables users to buy, sell, trade, stake, and store cryptocurrencies. It offers spot trading, futures, margin trading indexes, over-the-counter (OTC) execution, and a multi-chain wallet. Kraken supports a large number of cryptocurrencies and fiat currency pairs, and it provides tools for both retail users and institutional clients. It also offers advanced order types, real-time market data, account management services, and resources for learning about blockchain and digital assets.
Cheyenne, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 21
Total Funding Amount $1B
OpenSea
$13B
OpenSea is a peer-to-peer marketplace for crypto collectibles and non-fungible tokens. It includes collectibles, gaming items, and other virtual goods backed by a blockchain. On OpenSea, anyone can buy or sell these items through a smart contract.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 4
Total Funding Amount $427M
Velocity
$177M
Velocity provides a unified platform for efficiently moving and managing funds across both traditional banks and blockchains.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $48M
Nous Research
$2B
Nous Research is a decentralized AI startup that focuses on developing open-source, human-centric artificial intelligence models and tools. Its work encompasses large language model architecture, data synthesis, fine-tuning, and reasoning, aiming to align AI systems with real-world user experiences. In addition to model development, the organization emphasizes decentralized AI training. It utilizes blockchain technology, specifically the Solana network, to coordinate and incentivize global participation in training its AI models. This approach allows individuals worldwide to contribute idle computing power for AI training, promoting a more distributed and collaborative development process.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $145M
Dtreon
$800K
Dtreon is a decentralized, chain-agnostic creator platform that gives creators full ownership of their content, communities, and revenue. The platform combines subscriptions, paid posts, direct messaging, digital marketplaces, online courses, and tipping into a single ecosystem powered by blockchain technology. By removing intermediaries, Dtreon enables creators to monetize directly while maintaining greater freedom, transparency, and control over their businesses.
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $300K
Figure
$3B
Figure provides consumer financial solutions intended for home improvement, debt consolidation, and retirement planning. Its financial services include provide home equity release services such as home equity lines of credit, home improvement loans, and home buy-lease back offerings for retirement leveraging through blockchain, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics, enabling customers to access capital in as few as five days.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 2
Total Funding Amount $472M
Infinia
$57M
Infinia is a platform that assists the company's clients in managing transfer charges. Allowing you to charge using this method, check each transaction without accessing sensitive information from the accounts that connect to our service, and reconcile all payments in one spot. Integrate your e-commerce applications and platforms with Infinia's open banking platform to facilitate product and service payment without intermediaries and in a secure manner.
Montevideo, Uruguay, South America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $14M
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