Venture capitalists (VCs) poured at least US$17.5 billion into the crypto and blockchain industry in the first half of this year, Reuters reported, citing PitchBook data

See related article: Blockchain, crypto investment soars in H1 2021

Fast facts

  • VC investments in blockchain and crypto startups topped US$26.9 billion in 2021.
  • North American startups were at the center of most deals, bagging US$11.4 billion in H1 2022, just about US$4 billion less than US$15.6 billion invested through the entire 2021. 
  • Crypto investments in North America continued growing despite an 8% pullback in overall VC funding in the U.S., from US$158.2 billion in H1 2022, to US$144.2 billion in H1 2022. 
  • VC investments in Europe also stayed strong with US$2.2 billion invested in the H1 2022. 
  • “We think that [crypto winter] is a great time if you’re a developer of a game, this is a time to focus on developing and building and releasing. Getting feedback from your users and your community,” said Gen Kanai, director of strategic partnerships at Animoca Brands. “Some of our most successful investments were made during the previous crypto winter.”
  • Tina Cheng, managing partner at Cherubic Ventures, told Forkast that the improving quality of startup founders with experienced entrepreneurs entering Web 3.0 has helped drive VC funding this year. 

See related article: Polkadot is top crypto held by VCs and hedge funds in Q4 2021