What are blockchain startups?
Blockchain startups are using blockchain technology to create new products and services that are based on blockchain. From only 66 blockchain startups in 2012, that number has skyrocketed to more than 1000 blockchain startups worldwide after 2020.
Conduit Financial
Founded in 2021, Conduit Financial helps other fintech companies start offering cryptocurrency products and services more easily. Rather than fintechs and neobanks having to build complex blockchain infrastructure themselves, Conduit provides the ready-made backend tools for crypto banking.
The Conduit platform enables clients to launch white-label exchanges, payment processing, wallet custody services, trading apps, debit cards, lending programs and more under their own brand. Everything at Conduit is designed for embedding so partners can get to market faster.
Ava Labs
Ava Labs created the Avalanche blockchain, delivering an open-source platform for custom applications needing scalability, speed and low costs. For developers, Avalanche allows creating versatile public or private blockchains tuned to specific use cases in finance, supply chains, credentialing and more. By handling immense transaction volumes with sub-second finality, Avalanche unlocks innovations not feasible on congested alternatives.
For individuals, Ava Labs offers crypto and NFT management tools for accessing Avalanche’s thriving DeFi and token ecosystem. Between empowering enterprises via rapidly configurable blockchains and enabling consumers via its crypto wallet and block explorer, Ava Labs sustains an accessible, high-powered network where all participants can customize or plug into Avalanche for their decentralized needs.
Coinrule
Founded in 2018, Coinrule lets crypto traders set up trading bots via easy drag-and-drop rules. Their bots can execute trades 24/7 based on market conditions. Traders can backtest strategies before deploying them.
The platform monitors price changes and other technical signals to trigger buys, sells etc automatically. This takes emotions out of trading so users can mechanize proven methods.
Coinbase
Founded in 2012, Coinbase has played a major role in cryptocurrency adoption by providing a simple onboarding point for beginner investors. They focus on compliance and licensed money transmitter status to ensure transactions meet regulatory standards.
With over 89 million verified users globally, Coinbase is one of the biggest mainstream crypto exchanges. Their platform provides the tools and educational resources for both individuals and businesses to participate in the emerging crypto economy.
Chainalysis
Founded in 2014, Chainalysis offers blockchain analysis software and data services to detect and investigate illicit activity involving cryptocurrencies. Their tools track transactions, map wallets, and identify high-risk exchanges.
Chainalysis aims to build trust in blockchains by providing compliance, government, and financial institutions with transparency into suspicious on-chain activity. Their crypto forensics support safer adoption.
Coinme
Founded in 2014, Coinme operates thousands of cryptocurrency kiosks and ATMs to enable convenient digital currency purchases using cash, credit, debit or gift cards. They provide a familiar way to buy into crypto.
By meeting users where they already are, at places like grocery stores, Coinme removes traditional barriers to crypto investing like linking bank accounts. Their network brings simple Bitcoin access to everyday shoppers.
Republic
Founded in 2016, Republic operates an online private investment platform that utilizes blockchain and smart contracts to streamline the investment process. Investors can browse and fund a range of early-stage investment opportunities.
Republic aims to democratize private capital and provide investment access to non-accredited individuals. Their blockchain-based approach minimizes middlemen through asset tokenization and automation.
SALT
Founded in 2016, SALT pioneered the crypto-backed lending model using blockchain assets like Bitcoin as collateral for fiat currency loans. Borrowers use funds without liquidating holdings.
SALT’s lending platform and ecosystem provides access to credit products using cryptocurrency. This unlocks capital tied up in crypto investments. Members can get competitive loan rates based on the LTV (loan to value) ratios of pledged collateral.
BlockFi
Founded in 2017, BlockFi offers buying, earning interest, trading, borrowing, and lending for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. Their suite provides a one-stop shop for managing blockchain assets.
BlockFi aims to bridge the worlds of traditional finance and crypto investing. Features like automated trading, interest-bearing accounts, and loans bring familiar services to digital asset management.
CoinDCX
Founded in 2018, CoinDCX operates India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange providing a unified trading platform with liquidity aggregated from global exchanges. They also offer crypto-based financial services.
Key offerings liquidity mining, yield farming, spot and derivatives trading, lending, and payment processing. CoinDCX provides a full suite of products tailored for the Indian crypto market.
Mysten Labs
Founded in 2021, Mysten Labs is building infrastructure to enhance security, safety, and usability of Web3 applications. Their solutions address risks in areas like private keys, smart contract bugs, and multi-chain complexity.
By creating institutional-grade developer tools, auditing services, and decentralized identity protocols, Mysten aims to remove technical roadblocks to blockchain mass adoption.
Yuga
Founded in 2021, Yuga creates branded NFT projects including the famous Bored Ape Yacht Club collection of avatar NFTs. They leverage blockchain, gaming, and community building.
Yuga’s model involves releasing limited NFT drops that double as memberships providing ongoing benefits like metaverse land. The inherent gamification and status makes projects virally popular.
Sorare
Founded in 2018, Sorare issues officially licensed digital player cards of pros across top leagues as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain. Users build fantasy teams and compete in tournaments to earn rewards.
Rare cards have trading value, adding a collector appeal to the fantasy sports model. Partnerships with major leagues and players associations provide official licensing.
Pastel
Launched in 2021, Pastel enables the issuance of non-fungible tokens to represent unique ownership of digital artworks. Artists mint tokens and collectors purchase them to trade securely on Pastel’s P2P marketplace.
Pastel uses the Bitcoin SV blockchain chosen for its massive scaling capabilities. This enables high volume transactions with fast settlement times and minimal fees required for mass NFT adoption.
Buenbit
Founded in 2016, Buenbit operates a digital asset exchange for Argentine pesos and Brazilian reals along with stablecoins like USDT. Users enjoy low fees and an easy onboarding process.
Buenbit’s platform provides tools and educational content tailored for Latin America’s nuances. This localized approach aims to accelerate responsible crypto adoption across the region.
Nayms
Founded in 2021, Nayms was created to address the risky and volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market. Investing in cryptocurrencies can be profitable but also highly unpredictable.
To help mitigate this risk, Nayms developed an insurance platform specifically for crypto assets.Nayms works by having investors provide capital to smart contracts that act as insurance policies for cryptocurrencies or DeFi protocols.
Solrise
Founded in 2021, Solrise provides the infrastructure and tools for fund managers to easily launch DeFi funds on the Solana blockchain. The platform handles all the technical aspects like deploying smart contracts, staking assets, trading, and more.
Fund managers can use Solrise to create diverse DeFi fund strategies including yield farming funds, NFT funds, liquidity funds, and more.
Bitsika
Founded in 2015, Bitsika set out to provide a fast, frictionless platform for sending money and accessing cryptocurrencies in Africa. At the time, options for digital payments and currency exchange were limited on the continent.
The Bitsika app enables instant transfers between users, similar to popular services like Venmo or PayPal.
Texture Capital
Founded in 2018, Texture Capital utilizes blockchain to help private companies raise growth capital in a more efficient, liquid, and compliant way. They tokenize traditional financial instruments.
Texture’s end-to-end platform handles tokenization, issuance, trading, and governance. Companies can access global investors without the costs of an IPO. Liquidity and trading are programmatically controlled.
Coinvise
Launched in 2021, Coinvise enables creators like streamers, influencers, and artists to be tipped in tokens, sell NFTs, offer paid channels, build engaged communities, and earn from their work.
Fans can support creators through subscriptions, donations, buying limited NFTs and more while engaging on the platform. For creators, Coinvise simplifies Web3 monetization.
World Coin
Started in 2021 with funding from leading venture capital firm a16z, World Coin aims to give away cryptocurrency to people across the planet. Users sign up via eye-scanning orb devices being distributed worldwide.
Once scanned, users receive free World Coin crypto through a share drop. World Coin utilizes the scan to verify unique human signups. The project’s goal is global, inclusive cryptocurrency access.
Interlay
Founded in 2018, Interlay enables DeFi services for Bitcoin holders by wrapping BTC tokens to be used across other blockchains like Polkadot. This unlocks earning yield on Bitcoin.
Key features include trustless bridge networks, smart contract oracles, and liquid staking derivatives. Interlay aims to expand Bitcoin’s utility and interoperability between chains.
GoSats
Founded in 2020, GoSats has partnered with major retailers, payment processors, and banks in India to provide satoshi (small unit) rewards for purchases. Users collect fractional Bitcoin over time.
GoSats aims to introduce Bitcoin to young consumers by rewarding it as cashback for everyday spending. Their lightweight app and gamified experience targets mainstream adoption.
Argo
Founded in 2022, Argo facilitates the sale of short video content like comedy sketches and animations directly to fans and collectors through NFTs minted on the blockchain.
Rights holders list limited edition “Argo Cuts” on Argo’s marketplace, with prices set by demand. Fans who buy a show’s NFT get special benefits like production credits.
Botin
Launched in 2021, Botin offers an easy-to-use investing interface, fractional share trading, and zero commissions. Their model aims to expand financial access and participation across the region.
By utilizing technology to simplify investing, Botin provides the tools for individuals to gain control over their financial futures early on. Features are tailored for first-time investors.
OnScale
Founded in 2021, OnScale aims to be the bridge between the traditional financial system and emerging Web3 for people like artists, athletes, and entertainers. Their integrated solution handles banking, wealth management, tax and accounting needs.
OnScale’s goal is empowering creators to utilize the benefits of both legacy and blockchain-based systems. Their platform enables seamlessly moving between fiat, crypto, NFTs, and more to optimize monetization.
Mintable
Founded in 2018, Mintable provides a platform for creators to digitize their work as non-fungible tokens with no coding required. They also operate a secondary market to sell to collectors.
Mintable offers gas-free minting, easy royalties, and anti-fraud protection. The goal is making NFT creation and trading safe, simple, and affordable for all.
Cyclic
Founded in 2020, Cyclic partners with brands to accelerate business growth online. Core capabilities include digital strategy development, creative campaign production, performance marketing, and optimizing presence across social/search channels.
By providing integrated strategic and executional expertise, Cyclic enables brands to drive real impact and ROI through digital. Their full-funnel view aims to scale brands combining data and creative.
Conclusion
We’ve highlighted 25 of the best blockchain startups to watch in 2023, analyzing what makes them succeed in this volatile market. With the continued growth of the blockchain market, we are sure that there will be more innovative blockchain startups in the upcoming years.
Discover more creative startups that might interest you:
- Food startups that are developing amazing food making and delivery solutions.
- Entertainment startups that are using tech to change the entertainment industry.
- The best cyber security that are working on keeping the Internet a safe space.
- 3D printing companies with outstanding innovations to improve manufacturing.
- Amazing environmental startups that are on a mission to save the planet.
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