The world of Venture Capital (VC) funding seems to be losing some steam, as recent data reveals a distinct slowdown. As per data from RootData, public investment from crypto VCs has slipped to an alarming two-year low, with June recording only 83 deals.
The shift, a stark contrast from the 97 and 149 projects in May 2023 and June 2022 respectively, marks a 14% decline from the previous month and a 44% plunge year-on-year.
Riding the storm: Project classification and funding breakdown
Venture Capital funding in the crypto space is diversified across several categories: CeFi, DeFi, Infrastructure, NFT/GameFi, and Web3/others.
A deep dive into the numbers indicates that the most significant chunk of funding is directed towards infrastructure, accounting for 31% of the total projects.
On the other hand, DeFi and NFT/GameFi garnered approximately 18% and 20% respectively, while CeFi trailed behind with an 8% share.
However, it is the overall volume of funding that raises eyebrows. The total capital influx for June amounted to $520 million, plummeting 32% from May’s total of $760 million and an alarming 71% from June 2022’s $1.81 billion.
Despite the overall slump in Venture Capital funding, several companies managed to attract substantial investments in June. Leading the pack, Gensyn, a trailblazer in the blockchain-based AI computing protocol, secured a staggering $43 million in a Series A round.
This significant injection of capital, led by a16z with participation from other notable players, is intended to further enhance their AI development capabilities.
Hot on their heels, Web3 game studio Mythical Games, famous for its blockchain-based games and marketplace, pocketed $37 million in a Series C1 round. \Similarly, Web3 wallet platform Galaxy Finance, and Arkon Energy, a Bitcoin mining startup with a focus on renewable power, secured funding of $30 million and $26 million respectively.
Meanwhile, the world’s first cryptocurrency-denominated life insurance firm announced a successful fundraising round of approximately $19 million.
This investment will be funneled towards securing regulatory clearance and launching their innovative bitcoin-denominated whole life insurance policy.
Is this the new normal?
With the numbers narrating a tale of decline, one might question whether this is merely a temporary setback or the new normal for Venture Capital funding in the crypto space.
As more entities venture into this realm, the ebb and flow of funding are only natural. But it’s worth noting that even in the face of a downturn, innovative companies continue to secure substantial funds, showcasing the enduring allure of the crypto sector.
While the dip in Venture Capital funding may appear disconcerting, it’s crucial to approach the numbers with a nuanced perspective. This two-year low could be the springboard for an eventual upswing, propelled by continuous innovation and resilience inherent to the crypto industry.
Time will inevitably tell whether this is a mere pothole in the road or a sign of more significant, upcoming turbulence in the landscape of Venture Capital funding.
