Every year, new startups pull to the forefront of their industry through exciting innovation, tech, and industry-disrupting business models. In this article, we list the top crypto and blockchain startups to watch in 2024. You will find prominent names from the NFT industry, upcoming blockchain development companies in the Layer 2 sector, and several crypto brokerages. We used Crunchbase data to find the top 10 blockchain startups in the world in 2024.

Key Takeaways

• KuCoin is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange known for its wide range of supported assets and user-friendly interface.
• Ripple focuses on enabling real-time, cross-border payment solutions for financial institutions using blockchain technology.
• OpenSea is the largest NFT marketplace, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade non-fungible tokens with ease.
• Chainalysis provides blockchain data and analysis to government agencies, exchanges, and financial institutions to ensure compliance and investigate illicit activities.
• ConsenSys is a blockchain software firm that develops decentralized applications and tools for the Ethereum blockchain.

1. KuCoin

KuCoin, a cryptocurrency exchange, shares trading fee revenue with users. Founded in 2013, it aims to be a top exchange platform. CEO Michael Gam leads the team towards growth and success.

Key Features

• Quick listings of new, exotic, and small-cap crypto tokens.
• Nearly 800 different token listings compared to 400 on Binance, 239 on Coinbase, and 249 on Kraken as of February 2024.

Market Position

According to CoinMarketCap, KuCoin is the fourth most popular centralized exchange in the world in terms of daily trading volume.

Investors

KuCoin’s top five investors are:

1. Circle
2. Matrix
3. Jump Crypto
4. NGC Ventures
5. Susquehanna International Group

KuCoin differentiates itself from rivals like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken by offering quick listings of new, exotic, and small-cap crypto tokens.

2. Ripple

Ripple is a payment network using blockchain to transfer money all over the globe. International financial institutions like American Express, BBVA, and BMO use Ripple’s platform to process and send payments on its secure blockchain network.

Ripple also operates a public blockchain network called XRP Ledger (XRPL). XRPL has a native token called XRP, which is used to facilitate cross-border payments and build crypto-powered applications.

The top five investors in Ripple are Accenture, Andreessen Horowitz, DCG, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Google Ventures.

Ripple is one of the key companies shaping digital assets, DeFi, and NFTs in 2024.

3. OpenSea

OpenSea is the world’s largest NFT marketplace by all-time sales volume. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, OpenSea has become synonymous with the NFT industry. The platform supports multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Optimism, and Base, allowing it to list a wide variety of digital art.

OpenSea’s user-friendly interface has helped it amass an all-time sales volume of over $36 billion, which is more than the cumulative aggregate of its closest ten rivals.

Key Investors

• Republic
• Andreessen Horowitz
• Animoca Brands
• Stacks
• Y Combinator

OpenSea’s first-mover advantage has enabled it to dominate the NFT marketplace, making it a key player to watch in 2024.

4. Chainalysis

Chainalysis is a blockchain data platform that provides cryptocurrency data and analysis to governments, regulators, tax agencies, financial institutions, and corporations. The company offers crypto forensics tools like Chainalysis Reactor that examine cryptocurrency transactions and connect them to real-world entities. Other tools like Chainalysis Playbook examine crypto market patterns and on-chain behavior to predict market opportunities.

Chainalysis seeks to build trust in blockchains by creating a transparent economy for businesses and individuals. Spanning over 70 countries, the company provides customer resources such as training and certifications and crypto incident response.

Additionally, Chainalysis is incredibly helpful when determining and responding to crypto crime. Their Trust Network provides collaboration and the ability to share information alongside law enforcement agencies, cyber companies, financial institutions, and many more. Barclays, Bitpay, and Bitstamp recommend Chainalysis for engaging in safe crypto activities and preventing illicit situations.

Metric	Value
5-year search growth	148%
Year founded	2014
Location	New York, New York
Funding	$536.6M (Series F)

We’ve invited leaders and experts from across the cryptocurrency industry to speak at Chainalysis Links 2024.

5. ConsenSys

ConsenSys is changing the world of financial transactions by embracing decentralized finance solutions. The company has developed an expertise in Ethereum software, offering products like Quorum, Infura, and Codefi. ConsenSys uses an advanced blockchain suite to equip financial institutions with the ability to conduct fast and secure digital transactions.

Key Products

• Quorum: An enterprise-focused version of Ethereum.
• Infura: Provides scalable Ethereum infrastructure and tools.
• Codefi: A blockchain operating system for commerce and finance.

Industry Impact

ConsenSys is recognized as one of the top 10 best blockchain startups to watch in 2023. Their innovative blockchain solutions and impact on the industry are noteworthy.

ConsenSys is at the forefront of decentralized finance, providing essential tools and infrastructure that empower financial institutions to operate more efficiently and securely.

6. Polygon

Polygon is a leading Layer 2 Ethereum solution and is currently the 10th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. It aims to provide faster and cheaper transactions on the Ethereum blockchain by using sidechains for off-chain computation.

Key Features

• Scalability: Polygon significantly increases the scalability of Ethereum by processing transactions off-chain.
• Interoperability: It supports interoperability between multiple blockchain networks.
• Security: Polygon ensures robust security by leveraging Ethereum’s security model.

Recent Developments

Polygon partnered with KlimaDAO early last year to go carbon negative by purchasing BCT and MCO2 tokens. Additionally, Nori’s NRTs will be deployed on the sustainable Polygon network, creating an accessible secondary market for these tokens.

Partnerships

Polygon has formed strategic partnerships with various organizations to enhance its ecosystem:

1. Nori: Deployment of NRTs on Polygon’s network.
2. KlimaDAO: Collaboration to achieve carbon negativity.
3. Alchemy: Partnership to scale the network and maintain uptime.

Polygon’s commitment to sustainability and scalability makes it a standout in the blockchain space, offering a robust solution for Ethereum’s limitations.

7. Alchemy

Alchemy is a blockchain development platform that provides the infrastructure and tools needed to build DApps with ease. The company caters to individuals, small-sized companies, and larger corporations.

Key Partnerships

Alchemy has partnerships with popular blockchain networks like Polygon, Optimism, and 0x. The platform has helped these blockchains scale by providing resources to mitigate network issues, increase network capacity, and maintain uptime as these blockchains grow.

Top Investors

The top five investors in Alchemy are:

1. Silver Lake
2. Andreessen Horowitz
3. Lightspeed Venture Partners
4. Stanford University
5. SignalFire

Alchemy’s robust infrastructure and strategic partnerships make it a pivotal player in the blockchain ecosystem, driving innovation and scalability.

8. Dapper Labs

Dapper Labs, founded in 2017 and based in Vancouver, Canada, has seen a remarkable 400% growth in search interest over the past five years. The company has secured $612.5 million in Series D funding, underscoring its strong market position and investor confidence.

Dapper Labs is a key player in the NFT and blockchain gaming space. They are the creators behind some of the most high-profile NFT projects, including CryptoKitties, NBA Top Shot, and UFC Strike. Notably, NBA Top Shot has gained significant popularity, ranking among the top 2,200 websites in the US.

Key Highlights

• Year Founded: 2017
• Location: Vancouver, Canada
• Funding: $612.5M (Series D)
• Notable Projects: CryptoKitties, NBA Top Shot, UFC Strike

Dapper Labs uses the power of play to deliver blockchain-based experiences, making it a standout in the industry.

9. BlockFi

BlockFi, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, is a crypto investment and blockchain wealth management platform. The company aims to redefine banking by providing services similar to a bank but with digital assets and cryptocurrency. BlockFi offers a range of products including crypto-backed loans, interest-bearing accounts, and the world’s first crypto rewards credit card.

BlockFi’s mission is to provide customers with transparency, an efficient platform for transactions, and liquidity. The platform enables users to trade crypto at a low and competitive cost, and offers expert support for both novice and experienced traders. Additionally, BlockFi has granted over $15 million USD in crypto rewards, making it an efficient way to maximize cryptocurrency holdings.

As one of the top 10 most exciting blockchain startups to watch in 2023, BlockFi continues to explore innovative blockchain solutions that reshape industries with DeFi, NFTs, and web technologies for a transparent and efficient future.

10. Anchorage Digital

Anchorage Digital, founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, CA, is a leading platform offering custody, trading, and financing services primarily through cryptocurrency. The platform enables institutions to engage directly with crypto and integrate it into their own products and services. Additionally, Anchorage Digital provides staking and governance options.

Key Information

• Year Founded: 2017
• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Funding: $487M (Series D)
• Search Growth: 5,100% over 5 years

Services Offered

1. Custody Services: Secure storage solutions for digital assets.
2. Trading Services: Facilitates buying and selling of cryptocurrencies.
3. Financing Services: Offers decentralized borrowing and lending protocols.
4. Staking and Governance: Allows clients to participate in staking and governance activities.

Anchorage Digital currently allows clients to custody 91 different cryptocurrencies, providing advanced blockchain security solutions to banks and institutions. They help clients avoid the dangers involved in cold storage while ensuring safe access to decentralized protocols.

Conclusion

The blockchain industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation and disruption, with startups leading the charge into new frontiers of technology and finance. As we move into 2024, the companies highlighted in this article represent the cutting edge of blockchain development, from peer-to-peer exchanges to digital asset management and beyond. These startups are not only pushing the boundaries of what is possible but are also setting the stage for the future of the digital economy. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or simply a tech enthusiast, keeping an eye on these emerging players will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of blockchain technology. Stay tuned as these startups continue to shape the future with their groundbreaking solutions and visionary approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What criteria were used to select the top blockchain startups?

We used Crunchbase data to identify the most innovative, exciting, and industry-disrupting blockchain startups to watch in 2024.

What industries do these blockchain startups operate in?

The startups operate in various industries, including NFTs, Layer 2 blockchain development, crypto brokerages, digital asset management, and blockchain gaming.

Why should I follow these blockchain startups?

These startups are at the forefront of technological innovation and industry disruption in the blockchain space. They offer exciting opportunities for investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts.

How often is the list of top blockchain startups updated?

The list is updated annually to reflect the latest trends and emerging players in the blockchain industry.

Is there a guide on how to start my own blockchain startup?

Yes, we recommend reading our comprehensive guide on how to start a startup, which provides valuable insights and steps to launch your own company.

Where can I find more information about these startups?

You can find more information about these startups on Crunchbase, as well as in our detailed articles and reviews on the top startups to watch in 2024.

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