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.

Start your day with top crypto insights from David Canellis and Katherine Ross. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter.

Explore the growing intersection between crypto, macroeconomics, policy and finance with Ben Strack, Casey Wagner and Felix Jauvin. Subscribe to the Forward Guidance newsletter.

Get alpha directly in your inbox with the 0xResearch newsletter — market highlights, charts, degen trade ideas, governance updates, and more.

The Lightspeed newsletter is all things Solana, in your inbox, every day. Subscribe to daily Solana news from Jack Kubinec and Jeff Albus.

Tags

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 18 - 20, 2025

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

Research Report Templates (6).png

Research

In recent months, a number of highly accretive developments were implemented across the protocol to improve fee capture, expand product functionality, and ultimately drive value accrual to the RUNE token, with more upgrades on the immediate horizon. These developments include hiking the minimum swap fee parameter to increase revenue, adding a Burn System Income Lever to reduce the RUNE supply, the addition of COSM-WASM smart contracting and IBC to enable an application layer, new chain integrations, and more.

article-image

Crypto tokens were never securities, and the SEC’s backtrack proves it

article-image

Permissionless provokes thoughts on the future of crypto as folks engage in pull-up competitions

article-image

Plus, Casey sits with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer to get his views on crypto policy progress

article-image

Blockworks Advisory helps protocols coordinate their launch and growth through white-glove, bespoke services

article-image

The app has just two tabs, one for making swaps and one for viewing your wallet balance