Funding Roundup: a16z announces Crypto Startup Accelerator participants

A series of raises were announced as 21 projects gear up to take part in a16z’s CSX

article-image

Renko Aleks/Shutterstock modified by Blockworks

share

If it feels like Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has been dominating crypto venture funding recently, there’s a reason.

This week, a16z announced the latest cohort for its Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX), featuring 21 startups from around the world. The projects focus on everything from AI to layer-1 solutions, and are all set to converge in New York.

Loading Tweet..

I want to talk about just two of the 21 this weekend. I’m highlighting PIN AI, which also announced a $10 million pre-seed round. The project plans to launch an open platform for personal AI. 

Read more: Funding Roundup: a16z backs Story’s $80M raise

“PIN AI converges AI and crypto in meaningful ways, offering a privacy-focused, on-device AI assistant that democratizes on-device intelligence for all of us,” the project’s post said.

A16z, of course, took part in the round. Hack VC, Foresight Ventures and Nomad Capital were among other investors.  

Loading Tweet..

Another one on Startup Accelerator’s list is Blocksense, which announced a $4 million raise.

The project’s goal is “redefining decentralized data infrastructure.”

Permutation led the round, with Tykhe Block Ventures and others participating in the pre-seed round. 

“Blocksense’s approach to oracle solutions is poised to dismantle the monopolistic structures currently dominating the industry. By leveraging cutting-edge zero-knowledge cryptography, Blocksense offers an unmatched combination of cost efficiency, scalability and security,” Blocksense said in a press release.

Other notable rounds:

  • DRiP said it raised $8 million in seed funding. NFX led the round, with participation from Coinbase Ventures and Progression.
  • IN1, a fintech startup which focuses on both fiat and crypto, said it raised $6 million in a seed round. Brainstorm was disclosed as one of the investors in the round.
  • Fountain announced a $3.5 million seed round. Foundation Capital, Primal Capital and Druid Ventures all took part in the round.
  • Real-world asset tokenization platform OpenEden announced it received an investment from Binance Labs. The amount wasn’t disclosed.

Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Flying_Tulip.png

Research

Flying Tulip's perpetual put option provides real principal protection, but investors must pay a valuation premium today for products that have to be built over the next 24 months. This structure works best as a stablecoin substitute where the put allows continuous monitoring—accept opportunity cost in exchange for asymmetric upside if the team executes on its ambitious cross-collateral architecture.

article-image

As flows consolidate and volatility fades, finding edge now means knowing which games are still worth playing

article-image

Value distribution came to $1.9 billion distributed in Q3, though total revenues have yet to beat 2021 heights

article-image

MegaETH public sale auction ends tomorrow, and the free money machine has attracted people who like free money

article-image

With tBTC under the hood, Acre abstracts bridging and converts non-BTC rewards to bitcoin

article-image

Accountable is also eyeing mid-November for mainnet launch

article-image

“Adjusted for size, I think it may be the most successful ETP launch of all time,” Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says