Source: Stacy Muur
Compiled by | Odaily Planet Daily Golem（@web3_golem）
VCs always invest in narratives and marketing, and VC investment activities are a good way to understand what "smart money" is betting on in the next few quarters.This article shares the projects that received large funding rounds in Q4 2024.Let's explore which protocols attracted VC attention in the first two months of Q4 2024.
Infinex
Funding Details
Total Funding: $65.3 million;
Latest Round: $65.3 million (September 25);
Investors: Framework Ventures, Solana Ventures, Wintermute, Eden Block, Moonrock Capital, Bankless Ventures, etc.
Brief Introduction
Infinex is a secure, user-friendly platform that simplifies access to DeFi and on-chain protocols. It provides an intuitive cross-chain wallet and non-custodial accounts protected by key and biometric technologies.
Infinex aims to bridge the gap between centralized finance and DeFi, making crypto accessible to everyone.
Data source: Messari
Early Participation Opportunities
Users can now create accounts using secure keys. The platform allows users to bridge tokens to Arbitrum, Optimism, Solana, Polygon, Base, and Ethereum. Users can also swap tokens through Curve, and in the "Earn" section, users can deposit assets into various yield protocols.
An interesting feature is the "Bullrun" game, where users can purchase cards and earn points based on the price changes of the cryptocurrencies in these cards. The testing is currently underway, and the first season of the game activity is coming soon.
Relevant Links
Website | dApp | Twitter | Whitepaper | Funding Announcement
Huma Finance
Funding Details
Total Funding: $46.3 million;
Latest Round: Series A, $38 million (September 1);
Investors: HashKey Capital, Circle, ParaFi Capital, Fenbushi Capital, Distributed Global, etc.
Brief Introduction
Huma is an income-backed lending protocol that enables businesses and individuals to connect with global investors and use future revenue as collateral. It provides revolving credit lines and accounts receivable factoring services. Additionally, it utilizes decentralized signal processors and assessment agents for credit underwriting and risk management.
Early Participation Opportunities
The project has launched a staking program to reward users for providing USDC to any pool. Users can also earn tokens from other projects (such as Scroll) in these pools. To deposit USDC, users need to complete KYC/KYB verification.
Relevant Links
Website |dApp | Twitter |Documentation | Funding Announcement
Balance
Funding Details
Total Funding: $30 million;
Latest Round: $30 million (September 4);
Investors: Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Animoca Brands, Amber Group, etc.
Data source: Messari
Brief Introduction
Balance, developed by the E-PAL team, is a Web3 gaming platform that aims to transform the gaming industry through blockchain and AI technology.
Balance has a user base of 2.4 million from Web2, and it is committed to building an open, inclusive, and fair gaming ecosystem. The platform empowers developers to build and promote games more effectively, providing players with diverse and personalized experiences. This approach aims to drive growth in the Web3 gaming space.
Early Participation Opportunities
Currently, users can play platform games and join activities, which have daily social tasks and interactions with the project's social media, allowing users to earn points.
Relevant Links
Website |dApp | Twitter |Documentation | Funding Announcement
Drift Protocol
Funding Details
Total Funding: $52.3 million;
Latest Round: Series B, $25 million (September 25);
Investors: Multicoin Capital, Blockchain Capital, Folius Ventures, Primitive Ventures.
Brief Introduction
Drift Protocol is a decentralized Solana perpetual contracts and spot DEX. Key features include a cross-margin risk engine, instant auction liquidity, on-chain perpetuals and spot orderbooks, and a decentralized orderbook (DLOB) to enhance liquidity. Recently, it has expanded into prediction markets, now competing with Polymarket and Azuro.
Early Participation Opportunities
The project has recently pivoted to opening a prediction market on the platform. As there are no ongoing airdrop activities, users can participate in these activities. To participate, users can visit the "BET" section on the homepage and select the events they want to bet on.
Relevant Links
Website |dApp | Twitter |Documentation | Funding Announcement
Solv Finance
Funding Details
Total Funding: $22 million;
Latest Round: Strategic Funding, $11 million (October 14);
Investors: Blockchain Capital, CMT Digital, OKX Ventures, gumi Cryptos, Laser Digital.
Brief Introduction
Solv Protocol is a decentralized platform that bridges liquidity between DeFi, CeFi, and TradFi. It provides diversified asset classes and yield opportunities in a secure and transparent manner. The platform enables global institutional and retail investors to access trusted crypto investments through a trustless infrastructure powered by ERC-3525.
Early Participation Opportunities
Solv Protocol has already launched mining pools, where users can earn tokens by staking BTC. As a reward, users will receive SolvBTC.BBN and earn tokens from Babylon, while also enjoying two airdrops.
Related Links
Website |dApp | Twitter |Documentation | Funding Announcement
Helius
Funding
Total Funding: $34.35 million;
Latest Round: $21.75 million (September 19);
Investors: Founders Fund, Haun Ventures, 6th Man Ventures, Chapter One, Foundation Capital, Spearhead.
Brief Introduction
Helius provides Solana RPC (Remote Procedure Call) powered by top-tier hardware, ensuring reliable and optimized performance for applications. With global coverage and dedicated nodes, as well as Geyser plugins, Helius offers excellent 24/7 support for developers. This ensures a seamless experience for users, including advanced options for traders, bot developers, and exchanges.
Early Participation Opportunities
Currently, there are no special activities for users, but users can explore the project's documentation and developer platform on their own.
Related Links
Website |dApp | Twitter |Documentation | Funding Announcement
Ithaca
Funding
Total Funding: $20 million;
Latest Round: $20 million (October 11);
Investor: Paradigm.
Source: Messari
Brief Introduction
Ithaca aims to advance decentralized technology by collaboratively designing a powerful open-source developer tool stack. It leverages blockchain technology to create innovative solutions for building dApps, L2, and developer frameworks.
An important initiative of Ithaca is Odyssey, a testnet that facilitates seamless development and experimentation in DeFi and other domains. Ithaca's mission is to simplify and scale the decentralized crypto frontier for developers and users.
Early Participation Opportunities
The project has launched the Odyssey testnet, and users can easily bridge tokens from Sepolia to the project's network. Detailed guides can be found on the website and CryptoRank.
Related Links
Website |dApp | Twitter |Funding Announcement
Hypernative
Funding
Total Funding: $25 million;
Latest Round: Series A, $16 million (September 3);
Investors: Quantstamp, CMT Digital, Borderless Capital, Boldstart Ventures, Bloccelerate, Re7 Capital, and others.
Brief Introduction
Hypernative is a Web3 security platform that provides real-time monitoring and risk management tools to protect blockchain projects from potential threats. Leveraging AI and machine learning, it analyzes on-chain and off-chain data to detect over 200 types of risks, including smart contract vulnerabilities, bridge security vulnerabilities, and market manipulation.
By identifying risks before they escalate, Hypernative allows developers and organizations to take proactive measures to ensure the security and stability of their decentralized applications.
Early Participation Opportunities
The project is currently in a closed beta testing phase. Users can apply for the trial and stay updated through its social media channels.
