Crypto VCs Predict Next Unicorns Will Be Crypto-Adjacent Firms Integrating Blockchain, Stablecoins, and DePIN into Mainstream Sectors
Leading venture capital firms including a16z, Dragonfly Capital, IOSG Ventures, and Multicoin Capital foresee the next major trend in the crypto market as the rise of ’crypto-adjacent’ companies. Rather than focusing on native crypto projects, these new unicorns will come from existing sectors—such as fintech, AI, and consumer tech—that adopt blockchain, stablecoins, and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) as functional features to improve payments, privacy, and infrastructure. Notable applications include stablecoin payment solutions, AI leveraging decentralized infrastructure, and consumer tech firms utilizing advanced privacy features like zkTLS. The shift highlights a new emphasis on strong business fundamentals, such as annual recurring revenue, proven user growth, and solid customer metrics, as opposed to mere token speculation. VCs note that investors now require deep understanding of both crypto and traditional industry verticals to spot opportunities in larger addressable markets like global payments, AI data markets, and consumer privacy. During the ongoing bear market, most altcoins stagnate and new token FDV shrinks, with capital flocking to robust, user-driven projects. This marks a significant maturation of crypto investment strategies, favoring real-world adoption and sustainable business models over speculative narratives—offering traders insight into where future capital and growth will be concentrated.
Neutral
This news reflects a strategic shift among leading venture capitalists in the cryptocurrency sector, signaling a move away from speculative altcoin trading toward supporting companies with established business models and integration of blockchain as added value. While this shift points to long-term maturation and stability for the crypto market, it does not suggest immediate bullish or bearish price movements for major tokens or altcoins. Instead, it indicates that near-term capital flows are likely to favor projects with real-world utility during the current bear market. As such, traders should note a transition in VC priorities rather than expect a direct impact on token prices.