Parallel Finance is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that offers lending and staking services.
Polkadot is a protocol that allows independent blockchains to exchange information. Polkadot is an inter-chain blockchain protocol which unlike internet messaging protocols (e.g. TCP/IP) also enforces the order and the validitiy of the messages between the chains. This interoperability also allows the additional benefit of scalability by creating a general environment for multiple state machines.
Force Protocol, founded in 2018 and based in China, develops a platform aimed at providing cryptofinance solutions for developers. The company addresses the challenges of risk control in traditional internet financial platforms by creating a decentralized digital asset lending network. Utilizing blockchain technology, Force Protocol emphasizes security, reliability, and non-tampering features through the implementation of smart contracts that replace traditional electronic contracts. This innovative approach allows for public inspection of transactions, significantly reducing the risk of platform defaults and contributing to the evolution of the blockchain financial industry.
For the millions of migrant workers who overpay annually for international money transfer, because of friction in the banking system, SendFriend leverages blockchain technology to reduce the cost of service by 65% from the industry average. Winner of the MIT Media Lab Translational Innovation Alliance Award, and the MIT Legatum Fellowship, SendFriend is a team of Ex-World Bank and Ex-MoneyGram staff passionate about bringing innovation to the masses. Other investors include Techstars, Barclays Bank, Mahindra Finance, the MasterCard Foundation, and Deloitte (services).
Bitget PTE. Ltd., based in Singapore, operates a prominent digital asset trading platform that facilitates cryptocurrency trading and asset management services. Established in 2008, Bitget offers a comprehensive range of services, including over-the-counter trading and futures contracts, enabling users to trade various cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum through an online platform and mobile application. The company is recognized for its commitment to providing a secure and efficient trading environment, attracting significant investments since its inception. Furthermore, Bitget is involved in the cryptocurrency and Web3 sectors through its venture capital fund, which focuses on supporting innovative projects primarily in Asia. Overall, Bitget is positioned as a leading player in the digital finance space, catering to a global user base with diverse trading needs.
Wanchain is focused on developing a global cross-chain blockchain architecture that facilitates the creation of a new distributed financial infrastructure. This architecture enables the management of various digital assets and cryptocurrencies, supporting cross-chain transactions with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and ERC20 tokens. Wanchain allows users and investors to securely transfer, invest, and finance assets, as well as conduct multi-currency payments. The platform's cross-chain smart contracts are designed to play a significant role in powering the emerging digital economy.
BHEX is the next generation digital asset trading platform, with top grade performance of matching system which designed for million level of concurrent transactions. It further evolves to a globally distributed multi-nodes system and provides decentralized custody and clearing services of digital assets to institutional and retail investors transparently.
Onchain is a financial technology company specializing in blockchain distributed ledger systems, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company has developed an open-source distributed network architecture that supports a wide range of business applications and scenarios. Onchain focuses on creating solutions that enable cross-border transactions and interactions between different blockchain networks, facilitating seamless integration with traditional internet systems. Their team comprises experts in blockchain technology, financial services, and ecosystem development, providing practical enterprise-level solutions tailored for major businesses. Onchain aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of operations through its innovative blockchain platform.
Bgogo operates a digital asset exchange based in the Cayman Islands, enabling users to trade cryptocurrencies. The company distinguishes itself as a community-focused platform, claiming to be created by and for the community. It is notable for being the first digital asset exchange with supernode listing authority, which is intended to facilitate the listing of high-quality and promising digital assets. Bgogo's founding team comprises individuals with backgrounds in prominent technology firms, including Facebook, Twitter, IBM, and Alibaba. Additionally, the core engineering team includes several world champions from the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, highlighting the company's commitment to technical excellence.
CoinSuper Fintech (HK) Co., Ltd., doing business as Coinsuper, provides digital asset trading and customized services for professionals and individuals. It offers financial advisory, compliance, wealth management, and cryptocurrency and financial technology. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Central, Hong Kong.
Private Equity Round in 2018
Archblock, formerly known as TrustToken, Inc., operates a platform for creating asset-backed tokens that facilitate global buying and selling. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company aims to provide a seamless way to tokenize various assets, enabling the conversion of physical assets like gold into digital tokens. Its flagship product, TrueUSD, is a stablecoin that can be redeemed on a 1-for-1 basis for US dollars. Archblock employs a team with diverse backgrounds from prestigious institutions and companies, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, and major financial and tech firms. The platform is designed to align incentives among participants while ensuring compliance with fiduciary standards and creating a transparent audit trail of asset management.
Developer of an open-source smart contract platform designed to build a scalable blockchain ecosystem. The company's platform combines scalability, decentralization, and security to make instant transfers, and is Ethereum compatible, enabling cryptocurrency traders to make smooth transactions and builders to deploy their own blockchain platforms or applications with ease.
Private Equity Round in 2018
Token Daily Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that operates an online news publishing platform focused on the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. Established in 2017, the platform offers comprehensive coverage of daily news related to crypto investments, blockchain innovations, and the digital coin trading market. By delivering timely updates and insights, Token Daily aims to keep clients and traders informed about the latest trends and developments in the rapidly evolving world of digital assets.
FCoin is a Chinese cryptocurrency exchange start-up
Odaily is a blockchain media for the exclusive strategic cooperation of the 36氪 Group, committed to helping the industry to develop and explore blockchains. The company provides news and scientific content to the general population interested in the blockchain.
QuarkChain Inc. is a blockchain company based in Palo Alto, California, established in 2018. It specializes in developing a high-capacity peer-to-peer transactional system that utilizes blockchain sharding technology to achieve flexible and scalable infrastructure. QuarkChain is recognized for being one of the first public blockchains to successfully implement state sharding technology, which allows it to handle more than 100,000 transactions per second (TPS). In early testing phases, the system has already reached over 14,000 peak TPS. The company has formed partnerships with over 50 organizations within its ecosystem, aiming to make blockchain technology accessible and usable for a broad audience. By supporting various consensus mechanisms, ledgers, transaction models, and token economics, QuarkChain provides secure and decentralized solutions for enterprises to address their business challenges effectively.
RSK Labs Limited, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the developer of the first open-source smart contract platform that integrates with Bitcoin through a two-way peg. This innovative platform allows Bitcoin miners to engage in merge-mining, thereby participating in the smart contract ecosystem while enhancing the capabilities of Bitcoin. RSK aims to increase the functionality and value of the Bitcoin network by enabling smart contracts, facilitating near-instant payments, and improving scalability.
Token Daily Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that operates an online news publishing platform focused on the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. Established in 2017, the platform offers comprehensive coverage of daily news related to crypto investments, blockchain innovations, and the digital coin trading market. By delivering timely updates and insights, Token Daily aims to keep clients and traders informed about the latest trends and developments in the rapidly evolving world of digital assets.
WXY is a public relations service firm specializing in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. The company offers a range of marketing and consulting services tailored for crypto-based projects, including brand consultation, public relations, community management, and support for meetups. Additionally, WXY assists clients with financial advisory, exchange listings, and investment strategies. By providing these services, WXY helps clients enhance their brand recognition and navigate the complexities of the cryptocurrency market.
Block Collider operates a mineable multichain protocol that facilitates connections among various applications and enables trading across all digital assets. Established in 2017 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company addresses the limitations of existing cryptocurrencies, which often function as isolated systems that cannot interact with one another. This lack of interoperability restricts innovation and forces users to rely on centralized exchanges or validators. By merging different blockchains, Block Collider creates a network akin to constructing roads between buildings, allowing users to engage with multiple platforms seamlessly. This approach enhances the efficiency and utility of digital assets, promoting a more interconnected and functional blockchain ecosystem.
Initial Coin Offering in 2018
Cred is a decentralized lending ecosystem that facilitates open access to credit anywhere and anytime based on the Ethereum blockchain. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States.
QuarkChain Inc. is a blockchain company based in Palo Alto, California, established in 2018. It specializes in developing a high-capacity peer-to-peer transactional system that utilizes blockchain sharding technology to achieve flexible and scalable infrastructure. QuarkChain is recognized for being one of the first public blockchains to successfully implement state sharding technology, which allows it to handle more than 100,000 transactions per second (TPS). In early testing phases, the system has already reached over 14,000 peak TPS. The company has formed partnerships with over 50 organizations within its ecosystem, aiming to make blockchain technology accessible and usable for a broad audience. By supporting various consensus mechanisms, ledgers, transaction models, and token economics, QuarkChain provides secure and decentralized solutions for enterprises to address their business challenges effectively.
MobileCoin, Inc., founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, California, operates a cryptocurrency that emphasizes privacy and security in transactions. The platform utilizes blockchain technology to facilitate secure exchanges while ensuring user confidentiality. MobileCoin is designed to be easily integrated with mobile messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Signal, allowing users to access a MobileCoin wallet seamlessly. By combining distributed trust with a user-friendly experience, MobileCoin aims to enhance the way individuals conduct secure transactions in a digital environment.
Odaily is a blockchain media for the exclusive strategic cooperation of the 36氪 Group, committed to helping the industry to develop and explore blockchains. The company provides news and scientific content to the general population interested in the blockchain.
Cred is a decentralized lending ecosystem that facilitates open access to credit anywhere and anytime based on the Ethereum blockchain. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States.
Mainframe Group, Inc. is a decentralized finance platform that enables users to borrow against their cryptocurrency holdings. Founded in 2013 and based in Lehi, Utah, the company offers several products, including Onyx, a messaging tool designed for decentralized workplace communication, and Mainframe OS, which assists developers in launching decentralized applications (dApps). Additionally, the Mainframe Credit Protocol facilitates fixed-rate lending and borrowing through a decentralized framework. The platform emphasizes privacy and security, providing a censorship-resistant network for messaging and data routing, which addresses the growing concerns over centralized control and surveillance in the digital age. With its focus on creating a reliable and secure communications ecosystem, Mainframe aims to empower users by ensuring their data remains protected from external threats.
Ontology is an integrated, distributed trust network that serves as a foundational infrastructure for building a trust ecosystem. It provides a low-cost blockchain platform designed to facilitate decentralized identity and data alternatives suitable for Web3 applications. The platform enables the creation of smart contracts and data management while supporting the development of decentralized applications. By allowing projects with varying business scenarios and compliance needs to utilize its chain networks, Ontology fosters trust cooperation among businesses, individuals, and institutions, enabling them to create customized trust networks tailored to their specific requirements.
IoTeX is a blockchain platform focused on the Internet of Things (IoT), emphasizing privacy and user data ownership. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company provides a decentralized infrastructure that allows users to maintain control over their data while adhering to global privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. IoTeX offers various tools for developers, including a collaborative GitHub environment, a visualization tool for monitoring key metrics on its testnet, and a wallet for currency transactions. The platform supports a wide range of applications, from smart vehicles and city mapping to environmental data tracking and fitness solutions. With a governance foundation based in Singapore and a research and development team operating globally, IoTeX aims to create innovative solutions that enhance interaction between machines, humans, and businesses while ensuring trust and privacy.
Initial Coin Offering in 2018
Bluzelle Networks Inc. specializes in developing a decentralized, blockchain-based database platform that addresses data storage and management challenges for decentralized applications. By distributing data across multiple nodes rather than relying on a centralized cloud system, the platform enhances security, scalability, and availability. It allows individuals to rent out their computer storage, earning tokens, while decentralized application developers use these tokens for data management. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, with an additional office in Vancouver, Canada, Bluzelle serves a diverse clientele ranging from small and medium enterprises to global corporations, providing a fully integrated stack of blockchain applications, middleware, and data services tailored to meet various business needs.
DoraHacks operates as a global hacker organization and community that connects the hackers around the world. The company organizes hackathon that brings together universities, researchers, and technology firm's practitioners to create a technology utopia. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Beijing, China with additional offices in San Francisco, California; South Korea; Japan; the United Kingdom; India; and Switzerland.
CertiK is a company that specializes in blockchain security, providing a formal verification technology solution to ensure the integrity of smart contracts and blockchain ecosystems. Founded in 2017 by professors from Yale and Columbia University, CertiK is headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Beijing, Seoul, and Seattle. The company offers a range of services including security audits, penetration testing, and custom formal verification, which mathematically proves the correctness and hacker-resistance of programs. By utilizing artificial intelligence and analyzing both on-chain and off-chain data, CertiK enables developers to gain real-time insights into the security of decentralized finance applications and other critical systems, having secured over $6 billion in assets across numerous high-profile projects.
Zero Hash, founded in 2017 and based in Chicago, Illinois, provides a post-trade settlement utility designed to unify a fragmented market of various execution platforms. The company supports a diverse array of fiat and digital assets, allowing for the creation of any product pair. Additionally, Zero Hash incorporates on-chain settlement for digital assets, enabling independent verification of ownership through blockchain technology. This combination of features aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of digital asset transactions in the financial ecosystem.
BiShiJie.com, operated by Beijing Bishijie Network Technology Co. Ltd., is a digital currency investment platform based in Beijing, China. Founded in 2017, it focuses on providing news and insights related to bitcoin, blockchain technology, and other cryptocurrencies. The platform aims to assist investors in understanding and navigating the digital currency landscape, offering resources and tools that support informed investment decisions. Through its comprehensive content and community engagement, BiShiJie.com serves as a valuable resource for both novice and experienced investors in the evolving cryptocurrency market.
Gifto is a developer of a Web3.0 blockchain platform that enables fans to reward content creators with virtual gifts, such as graphics and animations. These virtual gifts are implemented as smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing them to be converted into Gifto Tokens or cash. The platform facilitates the creation, storage, and gifting of blockchain presents, which can take various forms, including NFTs, e-cards, profile pictures, generative art, and red envelopes. Gifto's decentralized virtual gifting protocol can be integrated with popular content publishing platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. This offers content creators an alternative revenue stream, addressing the challenges they face in monetizing their work.
Zilliqa Research Pte. Ltd. operates a high-throughput blockchain platform designed to facilitate thousands of transactions per second. Founded in 2017 and based in Singapore, with an additional office in London, Zilliqa enables developers to create decentralized applications, peer-to-peer trading platforms, and marketplaces. The platform utilizes a novel sharding protocol to enhance transaction rates as the network grows, making it suitable for data-driven applications, particularly in machine learning and finance. Zilliqa’s functional programming language, Scilla, allows for static checks and formal verifications, ensuring security and reliability. Additionally, the company employs Proof of Work for miner verification to guard against Sybil attacks and implements Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance to achieve consensus within the network.
Nebulas is a next-generation public blockchain company based in the United States, dedicated to creating sustainable ecosystems within the blockchain space. Its platform features a unique valuation mechanism and is designed to enable continuous improvement through self-evolution without the need for forking. Nebulas emphasizes an incentive-based system that includes a search framework for decentralized applications, smart contracts, and blockchain assets. This framework allows users to effectively claim ownership of their data through tokens, thereby enhancing the overall functionality and accessibility of blockchain technologies.
Operator of a global digital asset exchange platform designed to facilitate cryptocurrency trading. The company's platform enhanced encrypted digital asset exchange which has been widely lauded by traders, and blockchain heavyweights to ensure high-level transparency, safety, and stability in digital assets transactions, enabling investors to protect their assets and minimize investment risks.
Initial Coin Offering in 2017
Liquid Group Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company that develops and operates a cryptocurrency trading platform. Founded in 2014, the platform allows users to buy, sell, and trade major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, against various fiat currency pairs such as Japanese yen, US dollar, Singapore dollar, Australian dollar, and Euro. By facilitating these transactions, Liquid aims to provide liquidity to the cryptocurrency economy, making it easier for businesses and individuals to engage in cryptocurrency exchanges.
ICON is a decentralized blockchain network based in Zug, Switzerland, that facilitates transactions between independent blockchains with varying governance structures. The company offers a range of services, including ICONex, a cryptocurrency wallet; ICONick, a wallet ID for the ICON network; and BIA, which connects different blockchain networks. Additionally, ICON provides ICONSENSUS, a suite of tools for conducting elections within its ecosystem. The network supports decentralized applications (DAPPs) such as Blockchain ID and Payment & Exchange, which enable various communities—such as banks, hospitals, and universities—to utilize shared services and streamline transactions. By allowing disparate blockchains to exchange value and data without intermediaries, ICON enhances transaction speed, payment security, and liquidity across multiple cryptocurrencies.
ICON is a decentralized blockchain network based in Zug, Switzerland, that facilitates transactions between independent blockchains with varying governance structures. The company offers a range of services, including ICONex, a cryptocurrency wallet; ICONick, a wallet ID for the ICON network; and BIA, which connects different blockchain networks. Additionally, ICON provides ICONSENSUS, a suite of tools for conducting elections within its ecosystem. The network supports decentralized applications (DAPPs) such as Blockchain ID and Payment & Exchange, which enable various communities—such as banks, hospitals, and universities—to utilize shared services and streamline transactions. By allowing disparate blockchains to exchange value and data without intermediaries, ICON enhances transaction speed, payment security, and liquidity across multiple cryptocurrencies.
Kyber Network PTE. Ltd. operates an online platform that facilitates the exchange and conversion of digital assets through an on-chain liquidity protocol. Founded in 2017 and based in Singapore, Kyber aggregates liquidity from various reserves to provide instant and secure token exchanges for decentralized applications. The platform offers vendors the ability to accept payments in multiple tokens while receiving their preferred token, enhancing e-commerce transactions. Additionally, Kyber provides rich payment APIs and a contract wallet that allows users to receive payments seamlessly. The protocol supports a variety of inter-token use cases, enabling decentralized applications to allow non-token holders to access their services, and allowing decentralized financial projects to rebalance portfolios quickly. Overall, Kyber Network serves as a multi-chain trading and liquidity hub, connecting diverse liquidity sources to optimize trading rates.
0x Protocol operates an open protocol that facilitates peer-to-peer exchange of assets on the Ethereum blockchain. Founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, the protocol serves as a standard for decentralized exchanges, promoting interoperability among applications that require exchange functionality. The offerings include 0x Instant, which allows for crypto purchasing within apps and websites, and the 0x Launch Kit, which assists in launching relayers. Additionally, ZEIP-23 enables the trading of bundles of assets. The protocol supports developers in building relayers, utilizing networked liquidity, and engaging in market making, catering to a diverse range of markets from gaming items to financial instruments.
0x Protocol operates an open protocol that facilitates peer-to-peer exchange of assets on the Ethereum blockchain. Founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, the protocol serves as a standard for decentralized exchanges, promoting interoperability among applications that require exchange functionality. The offerings include 0x Instant, which allows for crypto purchasing within apps and websites, and the 0x Launch Kit, which assists in launching relayers. Additionally, ZEIP-23 enables the trading of bundles of assets. The protocol supports developers in building relayers, utilizing networked liquidity, and engaging in market making, catering to a diverse range of markets from gaming items to financial instruments.
Ethereum Switzerland GmbH operates a decentralized platform that enables the development and deployment of applications without downtime, censorship, fraud, or third-party interference. Founded in 2014 and based in Baar, Switzerland, the company provides the Ethereum Wallet, which serves as a gateway to decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can hold and secure ether and other crypto-assets, as well as write, deploy, and utilize smart contracts. The platform supports a variety of uses, including crowdfunding, virtual share sales, auctions, and the creation of decentralized autonomous organizations. Additionally, developers can design and issue their own cryptocurrencies and utilize command line tools. Ethereum functions as both a platform and a programming language, allowing developers to codify and decentralize various applications across multiple sectors, including voting, financial exchanges, and intellectual property. It leverages a decentralized consensus mechanism, similar to that of Bitcoin, providing a robust foundation for building innovative applications.