Gate News update. On April 13, Varys Capital’s venture capital investment chief Tom Dunleavy posted on X analyzing that over the past six months, the funding environment for crypto VC has changed significantly. Previously, VC needed to proactively expand its network, participate in podcasts, and publicize its investment logic to access high-quality projects; now, as long as you have money on hand, projects will come looking for you.
Tom Dunleavy pointed out that most VC firms are currently in one of three states: out of funds, shifting to later-stage investments (A round and beyond), or actively raising funds but with no smooth progress. The fundraising cycle has also been extended from the previous 2–3 weeks to 2–3 months. For projects whose business models are in doubt or simply copy hot narrative themes, it has already become difficult to secure new funding or subsequent follow-on investments.
He said that in reality, the number of institutions still doing pre-seed/seed round investments may be fewer than 20. VC can now choose projects at ease and has more time to conduct due diligence. He believes that the investment cycles in 2025 and 2026 could become once-in-a-generation investment opportunities, provided that VC can manage to stay in the game.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Nomura Securities survey: Eight in ten institutional investors plan to allocate 2% to 5% of AUM to crypto assets
A 2026 digital asset institutional investor survey by Nomura Securities (Nomura) and its crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital, shows that nearly four-fifths of surveyed institutional investors plan to allocate 2% to 5% of their total assets under management (AUM) to the crypto market. Most institutions say they plan to do so within the next year rather than investing immediately.
MarketWhisper04-17 03:05
Nomura Survey: 80% of Institutional Investors Willing to Allocate 2-5% to Cryptocurrencies
A Nomura survey reveals 80% of institutional investors aim to invest 2-5% in cryptocurrencies, favoring yield strategies like staking and lending. Regulatory clarity and risk management are key to boosting institutional interest in digital assets.
GateNews04-16 19:11
Stablecoin Market Hits $322B ATH, Q1 2026 Trading Volume Reaches $8.3 Trillion
The stablecoin market experienced significant growth, surging $2.25 billion to reach $322 billion, despite a broader crypto market contraction. USDC saw a substantial supply increase, while USDT maintained its market share. Yield-bearing stablecoins contributed notably to this growth, with transaction activity hitting an all-time high.
GateNews04-16 19:02
Ethereum Foundation Announces ETH Rangers Project Results: Over $5.8M in Recovered or Frozen Assets
The Ethereum Foundation's ETH Rangers project has successfully completed, funding 17 researchers to enhance public security in the ecosystem. Achievements include recovering $5.8M in assets, identifying over 785 vulnerabilities, and developing several security tools.
GateNews04-16 14:32
Top Crypto VCs See Significant AUM Declines Amid 2025 Market Downturn
During the 2025 crypto market downturn, major venture capital firms saw significant AUM declines, but Haun Ventures grew by 30%. Paradigm and a16z are raising over $4.2 billion for new funds, highlighting varied performances among firms.
GateNews04-16 11:01
