Crypto VC funding: Infrastructure and AI startups secure $159.5M in volatile market

Between June 15 and June 21, 18 crypto projects raised a combined $159.5 million despite broader market volatility, underscoring robust crypto VC funding. The largest round was EigenLayer’s $70 million token purchase led by a16z Crypto, boosting its total to $234.5 million alongside the launch of its Ethereum restaking platform, EigenCloud. AI and infrastructure ventures dominated the week’s deals: PrismaX raised $11 million from a16z CSX to develop physical generative AI models; SparkChain AI secured $10.8 million from OakStone Ventures for its decentralized AI compute network on Solana; Gradient Network pulled in $10 million in a seed round led by Pantera and Multicoin Capital to build open-source decentralized AI infrastructure; Ubyx closed a $10 million seed led by Galaxy Ventures to develop a global stablecoin clearing layer with partners like Paxos and Ripple; and Units Network raised $10 million from Nimbus Capital to accelerate DeFi infrastructure and cross-chain interoperability on Waves. Smaller rounds under $10 million included XFX ($9.1 million), Sahara Labs ($8.5 million), PublicAI ($8 million) and others. The concentration of capital in fewer, well-backed projects signals continued investor confidence in foundational crypto technologies, AI convergence, restaking protocols and stablecoin infrastructure even amid market uncertainty.
Bullish
This influx of $159.5 million into 18 crypto and AI infrastructure projects, led by high-profile rounds like EigenLayer’s $70 million from a16z Crypto, signals strong institutional confidence. Past instances, such as large funding rounds for Layer 2 solutions or stablecoin protocols, often preceded sustained network growth and token appreciation. In the short term, traders may view this concentrated capital as a bullish indicator for tokens linked to restaking (EIGEN) and interoperability (WAVES). Over the longer term, increased developer activity on emerging platforms and stablecoin rails could drive higher on-chain volumes, boost protocol revenues, and lead to broader market optimism. Even amid volatility, the commitment of top VCs to foundational crypto and AI convergence suggests a supportive backdrop for price stability and upside potential.