Follow Web3 news and funding trends with our daily updated dashboard on startups and investment in the Web3, crypto and blockchain sectors, based on SA国际传媒’s comprehensive data.
Last updated: 05/13/2026
Eleven companies joined The SA国际传媒 Unicorn Board in April 2024 鈥斅燼 big jump up from the six companies that joined in April 2023 but still a fraction of the 40 added to the board in April 2022.
![Illustration of a variety of crypto coins. [Dom Guzman]](/wp-content/uploads/Crypto_Coins-640x360.jpg)
![Illustration of airplane running out of runway. [Dom Guzman]](/wp-content/uploads/Runway-640x360.jpg)
The Web3 Tracker is a one-stop shop for following Web3 trends, news and data about venture funding and leading investors in the sector.
Web3 refers to the next evolution of the internet primarily built on blockchain technology. While the concept has been around for just under a decade and didn’t enter mainstream usage until a few years ago, the Web3 sector has attracted more than $100 billion in investment, SA国际传媒 data shows.
Web3: A brief history
Whereas Web 1.0 represents the early days of the internet and its static, heavy content-related nature, Web 2.0 was the maturation of that into a more user-generated network that brought about more utility, sharing and interactivity.
Web3 could be the most significant step yet. The term was coined by 听肠辞-蹿辞耻苍诲别谤听 in 2014 and refers to moving the internet toward decentralized technologies with the promise of increased transparency and accessibility. Proponents say the shift toward Web3 will make the internet open to more innovative technologies and shift power away from large tech companies.
Web3 is an umbrella term used to describe a new iteration of the Internet that鈥檚 primarily built on blockchain technology.
While the Internet of today鈥攐r Web2鈥攑rimarily focuses on user generated content, social networking and cloud computing, Web3鈥檚 core focus is on decentralization, transparency and accessibility. The technology ushering in this new era was created in response to the centralized nature of the Internet and the perception that a handful of large corporations control what is and isn鈥檛 allowed on the web. Web3 proponents say it puts the power back into the hands of users and creates a more open, transparent and accessible Internet ecosystem.
A few examples of Web3 companies in the U.S. include , a developer platform that helps companies build reliable decentralized applications; , a platform for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development; and , a startup that鈥檚 focused on making it easier for traditional data sources, such as APIs, to connect with blockchain technology.
The top three Web3 startups by total funding are , with $4.1 billion raised; , with 拢1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) raised; and , with $1.7 billion raised.
The top three startups in the Web3 ecosystem with the highest valuations are , valued at $32 billion; , valued at $14 billion; and , valued at $13.3 billion.
While Web3 isn鈥檛 a technology, there have been innovations created based on what the concept represents: a decentralized internet. An NFT, or non-fungible token, is an example of one such innovation. NFTs allow individuals to claim ownership over digital art and other assets. For example, if you鈥檙e an artist, you can turn an art piece into an NFT and sell it on a marketplace like . To purchase the NFT, an individual might pay you 5 Ether for ownership rights. Your newly acquired Ether coins could then increase (or decrease) in value based on demand and market conditions.聽
A cryptocurrency is a digital currency that鈥檚 tradeable and uses cryptography to secure transactions. To create more transparency, these transactions are primarily stored on the blockchain, making them completely traceable.聽
There are a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, each with its own use case. For example, Bitcoin is considered a store of value. Stellar Lumens (also known as XLM), the token created by the , was created to help individuals transfer money quickly. These cryptocurrencies, and many like them, can be used for things like investing and making purchases.聽
Note: please do your research before investing in any cryptocurrency or digital asset.
No. Web3 is the name used to describe the innovations that blockchain technology has given rise to. Cryptocurrency is the digital currency used within the blockchain ecosystem.聽
To understand how Web3 works, first you need to know the basics of blockchain technology. The blockchain is a distributed database, or ledger, that鈥檚 not owned by any one entity (decentralization). It stores information, such as cryptocurrency transactions, in a digital format that can鈥檛 be edited or deleted (transparency). This information is stored in a 鈥渂lock鈥� that connects to other blocks when it reaches storage capacity limits, creating a chain. Hence the name blockchain.聽
With the transparent and decentralized nature of the blockchain, developers are now building a new wave of innovative applications that leverage this technology; what is now known as Web3.
Yes. Our Web3 Tracker is a public resource. We do ask that you please cite SA国际传媒 as the data source and include a link to the Web3 Tracker when possible. For additional press inquiries, email press@crunchbase.com.
Please reach out to support@crunchbase.com if your company鈥檚 data needs to be updated or if something is missing.
All of our Web3 news and trends coverage is here.
$40B
Ripple provides one frictionless experience to send money globally using the power of blockchain. It offers a global real-time payment system that enables banks and financial institutions around the world to directly transact with each other without the need for a central correspondent. The company also offers FX Market Making, a solution enabling enterprises to gain access to cross-currency liquidity through a distributed network that allows foreign exchange to be externally sourced from a competitive FX marketplace or an internal FX trading desk. This minimizes FX exposure thereby lowering the volatility and counter-party risk of trades. Ripple Insights features industry updates, insider perspectives, and in-depth market analysis.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 8
Total Funding Amount $794M
$13B
Kraken is a digital asset exchange and related services provider that enables users to buy, sell, trade, stake, and store cryptocurrencies. It offers spot trading, futures, margin trading indexes, over-the-counter (OTC) execution, and a multi-chain wallet. Kraken supports a large number of cryptocurrencies and fiat currency pairs, and it provides tools for both retail users and institutional clients. It also offers advanced order types, real-time market data, account management services, and resources for learning about blockchain and digital assets.
Cheyenne, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 20
Total Funding Amount $1B
$1B
Keyrock develops crypto asset financial infrastructure. It uses in-house algorithmic trading bots and high frequency trading infrastructure to supply market making and liquidity services to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Jeremy De Groodt, Juan David Mendieta, and Kevin de Patoul founded it in 2017. It has its headquarters in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre in Belgium.
Woluw茅-saint-pierre, Belgium, Europe
Number of Acquisitions 1
Total Funding Amount $78M
$9B
Polymarket enables participants to buy and sell shares that represent the probability of specific outcomes, with prices ranging between zero and one dollar to reflect market expectations. Trades occur in a peer-to-peer order book where users transact directly with one another rather than with a central counterparty. Polymarket uses USDC.e as collateral and represents positions as conditional tokens that are settled through smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain. Event outcomes are resolved through a decentralized oracle process that verifies results before distributing payouts to holders of winning shares. The platform uses a non-custodial model where participants maintain control of their assets through personal wallets while all transactions and positions remain publicly verifiable onchain.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 3
Total Funding Amount $3B
$4B
Erebor is a nationally chartered bank designed for the new innovation economy.
Columbus, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $350M
$40B
Ripple provides one frictionless experience to send money globally using the power of blockchain. It offers a global real-time payment system that enables banks and financial institutions around the world to directly transact with each other without the need for a central correspondent. The company also offers FX Market Making, a solution enabling enterprises to gain access to cross-currency liquidity through a distributed network that allows foreign exchange to be externally sourced from a competitive FX marketplace or an internal FX trading desk. This minimizes FX exposure thereby lowering the volatility and counter-party risk of trades. Ripple Insights features industry updates, insider perspectives, and in-depth market analysis.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 8
Total Funding Amount $794M
$25B
OKX is the second largest global crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 ecosystem. With monthly Proof of Reserve releases, OKX is trusted by over 50 million global users. OKX is the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for professional traders everywhere. - Buy, sell, and trade 350+ tokens with 100+ local currencies - Duplicate moves from top traders in the industry in just one click - Explore Web3 and take control of your crypto, NFTs, and digital assets with the OKX Wallet With its extensive range of crypto products and services, and unwavering commitment to innovation, OKX鈥檚 vision is a world where financial access is backed by blockchain and the power of decentralized finance.
Mah茅, Seychelles, Africa
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $210M
$15B
Discord operates as a voice, video, and text communication service to talk and hang out with friends and communities. It was originally created for people who loved to play games, but these passionate people realized it could be enjoyed for more purposes. Discord is now used by everyone from local hiking clubs, to art communities, to study groups.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 3
Total Funding Amount $983M
$15B
Trade Republic is a mobile-only and commission-free broker that brings the opportunity to invest easily. The company works as a broker for a new generation for a more mobile, more intuitive, faster - and permanently free of commission. Trade Republic was founded in 2015 and based in Berlin, Germany.
Berlin, Germany, Europe
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $1B
$13B
Kraken is a digital asset exchange and related services provider that enables users to buy, sell, trade, stake, and store cryptocurrencies. It offers spot trading, futures, margin trading indexes, over-the-counter (OTC) execution, and a multi-chain wallet. Kraken supports a large number of cryptocurrencies and fiat currency pairs, and it provides tools for both retail users and institutional clients. It also offers advanced order types, real-time market data, account management services, and resources for learning about blockchain and digital assets.
Cheyenne, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 20
Total Funding Amount $1B
$670M
Elliptic provides blockchain analytics and crypto compliance tools that help organizations detect, assess, and manage financial crime risk in digital assets. It offers solutions for transaction monitoring, wallet and entity screening, cross-chain investigations, and real-time risk scoring. Its analytics platform allows users to visualize exposure trends, investigate suspicious flows, and perform due diligence on tokens and counterparties. The company also delivers APIs and integration frameworks that embed blockchain intelligence into existing compliance workflows. Furthermore, Elliptic supports continuous monitoring of crypto activity and offers training and insight to teams managing digital asset risk. Their team pushes the limits to dig beneath the surface, peeling back the layers to expose the truth. They aim to stop illicit cryptocurrency activity from leaving a smudge on the technology and the future it represents for all of them. The company is preventing, detecting, and pursuing criminal activity in cryptocurrencies. It identifies illicit activity in cryptocurrencies, providing actionable intelligence to cryptocurrency companies, financial institutions and government agencies.
London, United Kingdom, Europe
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $220M
$437M
Coincheck operates a bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange in Japan. The company engages in buying and selling of bitcoins and cryptocurrencies such as, Ethereum and Ripple. It also provides payment and lending services of bitcoins. The company develops software for trading of bitcoins. Coincheck was founded in 2012 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo, Japan, Asia
Number of Acquisitions 3
Total Funding Amount $66M
$8B
Circle is a financial technology company that develops and manages digital currencies and blockchain-based financial infrastructure. It issues USD Coin (USDC) and Euro Coin (EURC), both fully backed stablecoins designed for global payments and digital transactions. Circle's platform supports businesses in integrating stablecoins into their operations, including cross-border payments and financial applications.
New York, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 6
Total Funding Amount $2B
$40B
Ripple provides one frictionless experience to send money globally using the power of blockchain. It offers a global real-time payment system that enables banks and financial institutions around the world to directly transact with each other without the need for a central correspondent. The company also offers FX Market Making, a solution enabling enterprises to gain access to cross-currency liquidity through a distributed network that allows foreign exchange to be externally sourced from a competitive FX marketplace or an internal FX trading desk. This minimizes FX exposure thereby lowering the volatility and counter-party risk of trades. Ripple Insights features industry updates, insider perspectives, and in-depth market analysis.
San Francisco, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 8
Total Funding Amount $794M
$5M
Hotaku is a decentralized prediction market platform built exclusively for esports, powered by the Solana blockchain. Users connect their Phantom wallet and buy or sell positions on match outcomes across CS2, League of Legends, VALORANT, and Dota 2... using USDC stablecoin. No registration, no KYC, fully permissionless. The platform is live with 7 active markets, and real matches from the BLAST Rivals Spring 2026 circuit. A public REST API is available at api.hotaku.fun supporting Direct Trading via Phantom and Balance Trading for bots and automated strategies.
Cheyenne, United States, North America
Number of Acquisitions 0
Total Funding Amount $0
Discover and act on private market opportunities with predictive company intelligence.
