Welcome to our monthly newsletter, where we spotlight the latest trends in Venture Capital, Web3 innovation, and the innovative inventions of AI and quantum tech. It’s time to dive in!
VC Trends: High Performance and Interoperability Take Center Stage
Over the last 180 days, Animoca Brands leads with 46 deals which are mainly in NFTs, gaming, and the metaverse. Other top investors include Binance Labs ( mostly infrastructure/DeFi), a16z CSX (targeting L1/L2 and Web3 infrastructure), OKX Ventures and Robot Ventures (emphasis on DeFi and tooling), and Anagram (focusing on security, interoperability, and zero‐knowledge protocols).
According to the data, investment focus has concentrated on;
Artificial Intelligence (27.58%)
Developer Tools (25.15%)
Payments (16.97%)
Decentralized Exchanges (15.45%)
Data Services (14.85%)
Here’s a closer look at some of the standout deals and why they’re catching the attention of top investors!
Irreducible: ZKPs are a growing pain point for blockchains and Layer 2 solutions. A turnkey “ZK infrastructure” offering (especially with specialized hardware) cuts development time for other projects and can scale alongside broader industry adoption.
D3: A smoother web2 ↔ web3 experience is key to onboarding large user bases. Tools that make the transition seamless can unlock mainstream adoption, which is where VCs see big upside.
Sign: As on‐chain identity, reputation, and compliance grow in importance, a cross‐chain standard for verifying “digital facts” is foundational. Projects that solve trust and data portability attract serious investment because they enable enterprise‐grade use cases.
AI Is Becoming the Core Pillar of Next-Gen Tech
As we dissect the latest insights from Crypto Valley (CV VC) and Y Combinator, one thing becomes strikingly clear;
AI has moved from a side feature to a fundamental backbone of tomorrow’s tech.
Here’s the reasoning behind that “aha” moment:
The CV VC report predicts that the 2025 hype will revolve around “AI agent” coins. It also points to decentralized AI (DeAl) experiments in training and inference, suggesting a future where AI models run on blockchain networks rather than centralized servers.
$3.6B+ in crypto/AI hybrid funding and millions raised by YC startups show AI is now core to business models.
AI enables complex use cases (e.g., tokenized assets, 24/7 automated services), driving 56.5% annual valuation jumps.
AI adoption ≠ hype; because valuations wouldn’t surge 56.5% annually in aligned sectors. The data says it’s here to stay!
Tactical Guide for Web3 Founders To Raise Funds Like a Pro
Raising funds in Web3 requires a strong problem-solution fit, credible traction and sustainable tokenomics. Investors want projects solving real pain points which are backed by data.
For example, instead of saying, “We improve DeFi efficiency,” say, “Our smart order routing reduces slippage by 32%.”
Team credibility is key.
Highlight crypto-native experience, open-source contributions or DAO involvement. Show traction beyond user numbers with metrics like GitHub activity, partnerships, TVL and on-chain volume matter.
The tokenomics must be always solid.
Avoid red flags like no team vesting or weak utility. Tokens should tie to governance, staking or protocol fees, with transparent vesting schedules.
Always target the right investors.
Crypto VCs (e.g., a16z, Paradigm) focus on infra and DeFi, DAOs fund community projects and angels support niche innovations. Network via Gitcoin, Crypto Twitter, and Telegram groups.
Your pitch deck should be 10 slides max, covering the –
Problem
Solution
Traction
Tokenomics
Ask.
And lastly, negotiate smartly. SAFTs work for pre-token projects, equity + token warrants balance incentives. And keep investors updated post-raise always.
ICP and Quantum Leap Labs at DavosWeb3 Roundtable 2025
The DavosWeb3 Roundtable, held in Davos, Switzerland on January 22, 2025, united the most influential voices in the blockchain industry.
The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) and Quantum Leap Labs (QLL) took center stage at this prestigious gathering for discussing decentralized technologies and their transformative impact on global systems.
Key Contributions from ICP and QLL
Quantum Computing Subnets: A proposal for integrating quantum computing capabilities into ICP, bridging quantum-classical technology to eliminate computational bottlenecks.
SNS-Powered dApps: With the SNS, ICP projects gain the power of decentralized governance to build highly scalable and transparent systems for diverse applications.
What’s New at the Internet Computer?
FuelEV Launches on SNS
FuelEV has officially launched its SNS (Service Nervous System) proposal, bringing decentralized ride-sharing to life on the Internet Computer.
Why Does This Matter?
FuelEV runs on ICP to offer a decentralized alternative to traditional ride-sharing platforms.
Anyone can invest in FuelEV cars, earning a stake in the growing network.
The first listing is open for three days, giving early backers a chance to participate before the next phase.
The FuelEV tokenization platform is now live at FuelEV.ai. This new project is a glimpse into the future of mobility, powered by ICP.
Decentralization, Cross-Chain Integration, and Game-Changing Innovations
ICP is focused on enhancing decentralization, interoperability, and user experience based on recent developments revealed at the January 2025 DFINITY Global R&D Meeting.
The Solenoid Update
ICP’s boundary node architecture has officially been decentralized through the Solenoid milestone.
Now distributed across 18 independent node providers worldwide, fully governed by the NNS (Network Nervous System).
Solana RPC Integration
Developers can now enable back-end communication between ICP canisters and Solana smart contracts.
Omnity Network’s REE
Leveraging ICP’s native Bitcoin capabilities, Runes Exchange Environment (REE) ensures transactions are secure, efficient, and tamper-proof. This advanced execution layer eliminates the need for traditional bridging mechanisms, and its launch date is February 8, 2025
Chain Chapters
The ICP Hub North America Alliance launched Chain Chapters, a series of meetups uniting developers, investors, and enthusiasts in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Miami.
San Francisco Kickoff: Over 270 attendees gathered to discuss topics such as cross-chain solutions and no-code tools.
Upcoming Events: Future meetups are planned for Toronto and Vancouver for deeper community connections.
An internet that updates itself in real time, tailoring services and applications to user preferences automatically. That’s the future being described by the DFINITY Foundation.
The combination of AI and the Internet Computer opens the door to;
Applications that write and refine their own code, pushing updates, and managing data with minimal human oversight.
Models deployed on-chain, reducing reliance on centralized infrastructure providers.
From social media feeds to entertainment platforms, on-chain AI can adapt user interfaces and content based on real-time feedback.
Web3 Wisdom — Learn Something New!
What is ChainFusion and Why Does It Matter?
Interoperability is a major bottleneck in crypto. Cross-chain transactions are slow, risky, and fragmented. ChainFusion changes that. By providing a secure and high-speed framework for blockchain connectivity, it eliminates the need for unreliable centralized bridges and reduces attack surfaces.
Why Is It a Game-Changer ?
Security First – ZK-proof-based architecture minimizes cross-chain exploit risks.
Frictionless UX – No more complex bridging; transactions flow seamlessly.Dev-Friendly – Abstracts away multi-chain headaches so builders can focus on products.
High Throughput – Optimized data routing speeds up execution. Future-Proof Infra – Works across L1s, L2s, and modular blockchain setups.
For founders building in DeFi, gaming, or on-chain identity, ChainFusion opens doors to speed, security and seamless composability which is essential for scaling Web3.
Stay connected for real-time news on ICP, Web3, AI, and more by following us on Twitter and LinkedIn!
Thanks for reading this month’s deep dive into the future of blockchain, AI, and quantum tech. We’ll see you in the next issue of The Quantum Frontier!
Curiosity didn't just kill the cat; it dramatically shifted the course of my career! From chartered accountancy to blockchain, my professional journey has been anything but ordinary.
I take tough, knotty blockchain topics and turn them into easy reads. My work has not only been recognized in a book published by Stanford University Press, but I've also contributed to legal research papers featured in the Cambridge Handbook and the Maryland State Bar Association's blog.
