VCs pour $750m into AI crypto race — here’s who’s winning

Investors poured $750 million into artificial intelligence-linked crypto projects this year, according to PitchBook.

While that’s still some ways to the $1.78 billion injected into the industry in 2022, investors say the sector is rebounding.

“There will be a tonne of AI and crypto opportunities,” said Cosmo Jiang, portfolio manager at hedge fund Pantera Capital, which will invest north of $200 million into the intersection of AI and blockchain until 2030.

The buzz around AI and crypto is palpable and for good reason: Researchers estimate that the combo will add $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

AI-linked stocks like chipmaker Nvidia are on a tear, enabling the total value of AI tokens to catapult to $27.6 billion.

Investors ‘obsessed’ with AI as crypto stocks lose charm, laments Bitcoin mining exec

Nvidia stock is all anyone in the market talks about, and...Nvidia stock is all anyone in the market talks about, and that’s not good for crypto.

At the same time, market watchers expect raises and acquisitions in the overall crypto industryto grow this year.

Investments are a great litmus test for where investors expect the market to go next.

Here are the biggest AI-crypto winners.

Exohood Labs

Raised: $112 million

Description: Developer of an AI-based blockchain

Investors: Livsquare Capital

Auradine

Raised: $80 million

Description: Developer of a web infrastructure platform intended to offer a broad range of infrastructure across hardware, software, and AI.

Investors: Celesta Capital, Marathon Digital Holdings, Maverick Capital, Mayfield Fund, MVP Ventures, StepStone Group, and Top Tier Capital Partners.

Zama

Raised: $73 million

Description: Developer of an open-source framework designed to help companies protect their users’ privacy.

Investors: Anatoly Yakovenko, Blockchange Ventures, Gavin Wood, Juan Batiz-Benet, Metaplanet Holdings, Multicoin Capital, Protocol Labs, Stake Capital, and VSquared Ventures.

TradeAlgo

Raised: $41.77 million

Description: Operator of a market research platform designed to help investors with trading education, technology, and tools.

Investors: N/A.

Passes

Raised: $40 million

Description: Developer of a content creation platform designed to enhance the creator experience and increase their revenue.

Investors: Abstract Ventures, Alexandra Botez, BOND Capital (San Francisco), CapitalX, Crossbeam Venture Partners, Emma Grede, Jens Grede, Michael Ovitz, and Ramtin Naimi.

Eric Johansson is DL News’ News Editor. Got a tip? Email at eric@dlnews.com.