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: 08/15/2026
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.
Augustus
$1B
Augustus builds an AI-native, stablecoin-based clearing and banking platform for financial institutions. The company focuses on enabling digital asset and stablecoin-based clearing to support payments and banking workflows. Its platform is designed for banks, fintechs, and other regulated financial institutions that require infrastructure for digital asset transactions. Augustus integrates artificial intelligence into its systems to support automated processes and decisioning around payments and clearing. The company positions its offerings as core banking and payments infrastructure centered on digital assets rather than traditional legacy systems.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $249M
Crypto.com
$20B
Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is trusted by millions of users worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security and privacy. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation and development of new use cases including prediction markets and tokenized RWAs.
Singapore, Singapore, Asia
Number of Acquisitions 11
Total Funding Amount $400M
Alpaca
$2B
Alpaca is a financial technology company that provides developer-first APIs and brokerage infrastructure for programmatic access to stock, options, and cryptocurrency markets, enabling businesses and individual traders to integrate trading and investing capabilities into their applications. Its platform offers REST, WebSocket, and event-driven interfaces that support algorithmic trading, automated strategy execution, real-time market data, backtesting, and portfolio management workflows. Alpaca’s services also include brokerage account functionality, clearing and settlement services, and tools that allow firms to embed investing features into their products or to build custom trading systems on top of its API-centric architecture. The company supports global fintech partners with solutions such as tokenization, high-yield cash programs, multi-leg options trading, and advanced order types that align with diverse trading and investment use cases. Its technology is used by developers, quant traders, fintech platforms, and financial institutions seeking programmable market access and integrated financial services.
Tokyo, Japan, Asia
Number of Acquisitions 2
Total Funding Amount $409M
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 $857M
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 a global digital-asset platform that provides cryptocurrency trading and investment services, including spot and derivatives markets, staking and other earning products, peer-to-peer trading, and Web3 tools such as a self-custody wallet and access to decentralized applications.
Mahé, Seychelles, Africa
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $210M
Crypto.com
$20B
Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is trusted by millions of users worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security and privacy. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation and development of new use cases including prediction markets and tokenized RWAs.
Singapore, Singapore, Asia
Number of Acquisitions 11
Total Funding Amount $400M
Polymarket
$15B
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
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
ANote Music
$19M
ANote Music is the European leading platform to buy, sell and earn music royalties. Through the primary and secondary market, anybody can invest in music unlock earnings from a timeless asset class.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Europe
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $5M
Aisot Technologies
$20M
Aisot Technologies empowers asset managers with cutting-edge AI tools and predictive analytics to streamline research and optimize portfolio decisions
Zürich, Switzerland, Europe
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $5M
Zayra
$18M
Zayra is a technology and education platform that publishes articles and educational content on blockchain, digital assets, business, investments, smart contracts, and financial infrastructure. It provides insights into topics such as tokenization, cryptocurrency regulation, decentralized technologies, and the digital economy to help readers understand emerging technologies and market trends.
São Paulo, Brazil, South America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $3M
Marathon Digital Holdings
$270M
MARA specializes in digital asset computing, developing and implementing innovative technologies to create a more sustainable and inclusive future. Its function converts wasted or underutilized energy, such as excess renewable power, and alternative sources, such as collected methane and biogas, into commercial value.
Fort Lauderdale, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 2
Total Funding Amount $1B
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