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: 01/12/2026
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.
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.
Rain
$2B
Rain provides infrastructure that enables platforms, financial services firms, and developers to handle stablecoin-based wallets, payment cards, and global transfers through a unified API. The company enables partners to convert local currencies to stablecoins, issue physical or virtual cards linked to digital wallet balances, and process cross-border payouts or off-ramps directly in stablecoins. Its platform integrates compliance essentials like KYC, AML, and SOC 2, and supports seamless settlement across global merchant networks.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 1
Total Funding Amount $333M
Erebor
$4B
Erebor is a nationally chartered bank designed for the new innovation economy.
Columbus, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $350M
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
RedotPay
$1B
RedotPay is a global fintech company that uses stablecoins to support payment and transfer services, integrating blockchain technology with traditional banking systems. The platform allows users to spend, send, and manage digital assets through a single interface designed for everyday financial transactions. RedotPay supports individuals without access to conventional banking by enabling stablecoin-based payments and transfers across borders. It also serves users who hold digital assets by providing tools that connect cryptocurrency use with common payment scenarios.
Central, Hong Kong, Asia
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $194M
Polymarket
$9B
Polymarket is a prediction market platform that allows users to bet on the outcomes of various global events using cryptocurrency. Polymarket operates on the Ethereum blockchain, utilizing the Polygon network to enhance scalability and reduce transaction costs. Users connect to the platform through an Ethereum-compatible wallet and use the USDC stablecoin to place bets on events, ranging from political outcomes to entertainment predictions.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 1
Total Funding Amount $2B
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
Kraken
$20B
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.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 19
Total Funding Amount $1B
Discord
$15B
Discord operates as a voice, video, and text communication service to talk and hang out with friends and communities. It was originally created for people who loved to play games, but these passionate people realized it could be enjoyed for more purposes. Discord is now used by everyone from local hiking clubs, to art communities, to study groups.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 3
Total Funding Amount $983M
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
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
Rain
$2B
Rain provides infrastructure that enables platforms, financial services firms, and developers to handle stablecoin-based wallets, payment cards, and global transfers through a unified API. The company enables partners to convert local currencies to stablecoins, issue physical or virtual cards linked to digital wallet balances, and process cross-border payouts or off-ramps directly in stablecoins. Its platform integrates compliance essentials like KYC, AML, and SOC 2, and supports seamless settlement across global merchant networks.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 1
Total Funding Amount $333M
ME Group
$40M
ME Group is a one-stop resource aggregator for Web3.0. Meta Era focuses on blockchain and metaverse exploration, pursuing professional, thorough, and reliable information and data.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Asia
Number of Acquisitions 1
Total Funding Amount $0
Web3 Files Network
$15M
Web3 Files Network is a web-based platform that brings the power of IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) to users of all skill levels. Through an intuitive, browser-based interface, anyone can upload, pin, and share content on the decentralized network without needing to install software or learn command-line tools. All uploaded files are automatically pinned to our gateways, ensuring high availability and persistence across the IPFS network. Our service is organized into three tiers to suit different needs. The Free tier provides unlimited basic uploads, standard pinning, and public access links, making it ideal for hobbyists and small projects. Upgrading to the Pro tier unlocks advanced file management features—bulk operations, folder structures, and granular access controls—as well as a full analytics dashboard that tracks file requests, geographic usage patterns, and pinning performance. Enterprise customers gain their own white-label interface, custom domain support, SLAs on availability, and priority support, plus the ability to integrate our APIs directly into their own applications for fully automated workflows. One of our standout features is Blockchain Name integration. Users can bind any IPFS Content Identifier (CID) to a human-readable blockchain name, turning unwieldy hashes into permanent, censorship-resistant URLs. This makes content sharing far more user-friendly and future-proof—any updates can be pointed at the same name without breaking existing links. For organizations with high throughput needs, we also offer dedicated gateway server rentals. These provide private, high-performance access to IPFS with customizable resource allocations, bespoke security rules, and optional VPN connectivity. Security and reliability are at the core of Web3 Files Network. All traffic is served over HTTPS, and files are redundantly pinned across multiple geographically distributed nodes. Our platform logs every operation in an immutable audit trail, so you always know who accessed or modified content. Whether you’re a developer building decentralized applications, a content creator seeking censorship resistance, or an enterprise looking for a scalable, decentralized file-distribution backbone, Web3 Files Network delivers a robust, easy-to-use solution.
Tampa, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $60K
Architect
$187M
Architect gives traders customizable infrastructure that reimagines access to international markets for digital assets. Building institutional-grade infrastructure to link different crypto venues across centralized and decentralized exchanges is one of the project's goals.
Chicago, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $52M
Discover and act on private market opportunities with predictive company intelligence.
