Crypto Fundraising Stays Strong Amid Market Volatility — $159.5M Raised This Week
Despite ongoing market turbulence, crypto fundraising proved its resilience from June 15 to June 21, with 18 projects securing a combined $159.5 million. The lion’s share of capital went to infrastructure and AI-focused startups, signaling sustained investor confidence in foundational technologies and the growing convergence of crypto and artificial intelligence.
Top Funding Highlights
1. EigenLayer Leads the Charge with $70M
Ethereum restaking giant EigenLayer dominated this week’s headlines, pulling in $70 million through a strategic token sale led by a16z crypto. The fresh funding coincides with the launch of EigenCloud, the protocol’s new developer platform. This brings EigenLayer’s total funding to $234.5 million, including a $100 million Series B earlier this year.
2. PrismaX Secures $11M to Build Physical AI
PrismaX, co-founded by Bayley Wang and Chyna Qu, raised $11 million in a round led by a16z CSX. The startup officially launched during CSX’s Demo Day and focuses on robotic intelligence and decentralized systems for next-gen physical AI. Investors included Builder Fund, Volt Capital, Symbolic, and more.
3. Sparkchain AI Raises $10.8M for Decentralized Compute
With Web3 infrastructure in mind, Sparkchain AI brought in $10.8 million to power its decentralized compute network. Backed by OakStone Ventures, the funding will support real-time AI optimization and partnerships ahead of its upcoming launch on Solana.
4. Gradient Network Gets $10M for Open-Source AI
Gradient Network raised $10 million in a seed round led by Pantera Capital and Multicoin Capital. The project focuses on building decentralized infrastructure for open-source intelligence, with a renewed focus on transparency and long-term decentralization in the AI ecosystem.
5. Ubyx Bags $10M to Power Stablecoin Infrastructure
Ubyx, founded by former Citi executive Tony McLaughlin, aims to be a unified layer for stablecoin redemption and distribution. The company secured $10 million, with Galaxy Ventures leading the round. Major backers include Coinbase Ventures, Paxos, and Founders Fund. Ubyx’s mission: solve the cross-border stablecoin infrastructure gap for corporates and financial institutions.
6. Units Network Pulls In $10M to Boost DeFi
Units Network locked in $10 million from Nimbus Capital. Built on the Waves Protocol, the funding will be used to scale DeFi infrastructure, enhance interoperability, and deploy AI-driven tools. The move has drawn renewed attention to the WAVES ecosystem, potentially reviving demand.
Other Notable Fundraises Under $10M
| Project | Amount Raised | Round Type |
|---|---|---|
| XFX | $9.1M | Seed |
| Sahara Labs | $8.5M | Public Sale (FDV: $600M) |
| PublicAI | $8M | Series A |
| Project Eleven | $6M | Undisclosed |
| The Wildcard Alliance | $6M | Undisclosed |
| TAC | $5M | Strategic |
| Stackup | $4.2M | Seed |
| Uptopia | $4M | Pre-Seed |
| Nook | $2.5M | Seed |
| BitVault | $2M | Pre-Seed |
| Intuition | $900K | Public Sale |
| Bombie | $300K | Public Sale (FDV: $80M) |
Investor Sentiment: Selective but Strong
While overall deal counts are fewer, investors appear more selective, concentrating capital into high-conviction projects—particularly those at the intersection of AI and blockchain infrastructure. With names like a16z, Pantera, Lightspeed, and Coinbase Ventures leading the charge, institutional backing remains robust even as market conditions remain shaky.
Final Take: The numbers don’t lie—foundational tech still commands capital. As the market searches for a rebound, the projects that continue building may come out as the true winners of the next cycle.
