Framework Ventures Launches $400M DeFi Fund Targeting Gaming, Web3 Startups

Framework Ventures, known for early-stage DeFi investments, said blockchain gaming could see “significant growth” over the next five years

article-image

Blockworks exclusive art by axel rangel

share

key takeaways

  • The firm said it’s earmarked $200 million for blockchain gaming startups
  • Framework now oversees approximately $1.4 billion, making it one of the largest VCs in blockchain

Venture capital firm Framework Ventures has raised $400 million for a fund focused on investing in early-stage startups involved in some of the crypto industry’s frothiest sectors.

Framework’s third fund (FVIII) is expected to target blockchain gaming, Web3 and DeFi startups, as well as networks in the hope of banking big on the next successful crypto vertical, according to a statement Tuesday.

Of the total $400 million, 50%, or $200 million, has been earmarked for blockchain gaming, Adam Badrawi, the firm’s communications partner told Blockworks in an email. Badrawi declined to comment on where the remaining 50% would be split.

The firm now oversees approximately $1.4 billion, pole-vaulting it to one of the largest VCs in the blockchain industry. The majority of Framework’s assets stem from a small set of institutional stakeholders.

Considered by some as one of the earliest DeFi (decentralized finance) venture capital firms, Framework planted its roots in 2019 by leveraging an $8 million raise slated for the budding growth of DeFi.

Now intending to expand upon its beginnings, Framework said its investor team had “identified” the industry’s gaming sector as an area of “significant growth” over the next five years.

The company said it was “reinforcing its commitment,” having already dedicated large swaths of capital to various segments of the gaming sector following early round investments in Stardust and the $6 billion project shooting for a Triple-A title, Illuvium.

“We believe we have pioneered a new style of crypto investing…and intend to deploy it aggressively across other major verticals in the blockchain industry,” Framework Co-founder Vance Spencer said. “We believe we’re well-positioned to outperform our competitors, including the Sand Hill set that is only now coming into crypto and Web3.”


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

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

Upcoming Events

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 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.

Industry City | Brooklyn, NY

TUES - THURS, JUNE 24 - 26, 2025

Permissionless IV serves as the definitive gathering for crypto’s technical founders, developers, and builders to come together and create the future.If you’re ready to shape the future of crypto, Permissionless IV is where it happens.

Brooklyn, NY

SUN - MON, JUN. 22 - 23, 2025

🚀 Build What’s Next — Permissionless IV Hackathon Join us June 22–23 in Brooklyn for the Permissionless IV Hackathon — a 36-hour sprint hosted by Cracked Labs and Blockworks where top builders turn ideas into real products. Come to launch, not just […]

recent research

Research Report Templates (10).png

Research

Kamino has evolved into a full-stack asset scaling suite with V2: unlocking new markets, improving capital efficiency, and catering to various risk profiles. We believe it is best positioned to become the credit backbone of Solana as the ecosystem matures. Simply put, KMNO remains our highest-conviction bet in the Solana ecosystem. This report lays out our thesis.

article-image

Bybit’s Byreal, Binance Alpha and Coinbase’s DEX integrations

article-image

This isn’t the worst hack to ever hit Mt. Gox, but it could be the most entertaining

article-image

Crossover’s CEO discusses institutional interest and how over-the-counter (OTC) trading has picked up in crypto

article-image

Sponsored

This collaboration signifies a major leap forward in expanding the reach and utility of Web3 gaming within the vibrant Asian market

article-image

Asymmetric information is threatening crypto the same way it once threatened equities. Disclosure might be the fix.

article-image

Rate cuts drift into Q4 limbo as markets pretend everything’s fine