a16z crypto

Inco develops a global confidentiality layer for Ethereum and other networks. It enables a wide range of new apps, spanning various verticals such as gaming and gambling, DeFi, including dark pools, private lending, and blind auctions, and enterprise solutions such as confidential stable coins, private RWAs, and private voting.

Ambient is a Layer-1 blockchain platform that combines Solana SVM compatibility with a novel Proof of Work mechanism. It aims to provide fast and affordable verified AI inference, with a long-term goal of developing an on-chain AGI-level AI foundation model. The platform is designed to make cryptocurrency more accessible to everyday users by offering a user-friendly interface, secure transactions, and educational resources. Ambient's focus on simplifying the crypto experience addresses common hurdles faced by newcomers to the cryptocurrency landscape.

Sablier offers a token distribution protocol that facilitates real-time finance on the blockchain for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and businesses. The company's platform specializes in by-the-second payments, which are pivotal for services such as vesting, payroll, and airdrops. Its primary payment model, the linear stream, allows a sender to deposit a specific quantity of ERC-20 tokens into a smart contract. This contract then progressively allocates the funds to the recipient, enabling them to access the tokens as they are released over time. The payment rate is determined by various parameters, including the total amount deposited, as well as the designated start and end times for the distribution.

EigenLabs is a blockchain infrastructure startup that enables the restaking of ETH across various decentralized applications. They also provide developers with access to the Ethereum staked capital base and decentralized validator set. Traditionally, staking requires validators to lock up ETH as a security deposit to engage in the network's consensus mechanism, earning rewards for contributing to network security and validating transactions. However, once ETH is staked, it is generally immobilized until withdrawn, restricting validators from utilizing these assets elsewhere. EigenLayer aims to tackle this challenge by allowing staked ETH to be restaked across diverse decentralized applications and services without removing it from the original consensus mechanism.

Pimlico is a technology company that specializes in developing infrastructure for Ethereum smart accounts. Its platform, designed for account abstraction, equips businesses with tools to simplify sponsor transactions, subsidize user minting fees, and facilitate blockchain payments using credit cards. This enables the creation of user-friendly decentralized applications, all while maintaining the security and flexibility required in blockchain operations.

VeeFriends is an NFT project focused on creating meaningful intellectual property and fostering a vibrant community. The VeeFriends characters were designed to inspire happiness and were initially launched as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. This initiative aims to offer unique opportunities for utility, collectibility, and community engagement. VeeFriends provides token holders with valuable experiences both online and offline, enhancing the overall value of the project. By curating these experiences, VeeFriends seeks to build a strong and extraordinary community around its intellectual property.

Eco is a financial technology company that focuses on enhancing the value of money through innovative software solutions. As a founding contributor to the Eco Protocol, it aims to reshape traditional banking and reward systems. The company has developed Bend, a platform that seeks to improve users' financial experiences by maximizing the utility and effectiveness of their money. Eco's mission centers on empowering individuals to expect more from their financial transactions, ultimately striving to redefine the relationship between people and their money.

Eco is a financial technology company that focuses on enhancing the value of money through innovative software solutions. As a founding contributor to the Eco Protocol, it aims to reshape traditional banking and reward systems. The company has developed Bend, a platform that seeks to improve users' financial experiences by maximizing the utility and effectiveness of their money. Eco's mission centers on empowering individuals to expect more from their financial transactions, ultimately striving to redefine the relationship between people and their money.

Reflexer Labs, founded in 2020 and based in the USA, is a decentralized finance project focused on developing low-volatility collateral to enhance the stability of the DeFi ecosystem. The company specializes in creating a volatility-dampened synthetic instrument that leverages control theory within smart contracts. This innovative approach allows for the automatic adjustment of collateral supply, mirroring the price patterns of underlying assets while maintaining reduced volatility. By doing so, Reflexer aims to provide a stable and secure foundation for businesses operating in the decentralized finance space, helping them minimize the risks associated with investment losses.

dYdX is a decentralized exchange that provides traders with a secure and efficient platform for various financial activities. Established in 2017 by Antonio Juliano, a former engineer at Coinbase and Uber, dYdX operates on audited smart contracts on Ethereum, ensuring transparency and security without relying on a central authority. The platform offers a range of trading options, including perpetual, margin, and spot trading, along with borrowing and lending pools. Users can earn interest on deposits or take loans at nominal fees, enabling them to trade on margin with customized leverage. dYdX aims to create an open financial system, granting users access to vital financial tools while facilitating fully collateralized loans for short-selling.