February 28 News: Despite the market sentiment remaining low, venture capital firms still invested approximately $883 million in cryptocurrency startups in February. According to DefiLlama, this figure is about 13% lower than the same period in 2025, when the bull market saw funding surpass $1 billion. Funds have not exited, but investment logic has clearly become more cautious.
Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner of DWF Labs, stated that investors are now more focused on a project’s actual revenue, user growth curve, and its ability to operate sustainably in a bear market environment, rather than just the concept. He pointed out that in 2026, venture capital will focus on stablecoins and payment infrastructure, AI agents, and compliance and fund management tools for institutions. Before large-scale institutional capital enters, these underlying infrastructures will be prioritized.
Looking at specific cases, Andre Cronje’s Flying Tulip raised $206 million through token sales, focusing on integrated DeFi financial architecture and native stablecoin ftUSD, with structured downside protection mechanisms. Whop received a strategic investment of $200 million from Tether to promote stablecoin self-custody payments and expand the global creator economy. U.S. digital asset bank Anchorage Digital also completed $100 million in equity financing to strengthen compliant stablecoin issuance and institutional custody capabilities.
Cryptocurrency financing data indicates that in 2026, capital will prefer projects with real cash flow, compliant frameworks, and stablecoin payment scenarios. The market is gradually shifting from narrative-driven to a new stage emphasizing fundamentals and sustainable development.
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
ARK Invest Releases Bitcoin Quantum Risk Five-Stage Chart, Q-Day Threats Need Not Cause Panic
ARK Invest and Unchained Release White Paper Analyzing Progressive Quantum Computing Threat to Bitcoin, Proposing Five-Stage Framework. The report emphasizes that despite technological advances, the current Bitcoin network is not yet under threat, and the community should proactively deploy quantum-resistant security measures to address potential future risks.
GateNews1h ago
After 3 years, finally approved! Revolut becomes a fully licensed bank in the UK, launching a £10 billion global expansion plan
Revolut has obtained a full banking license in the UK, ending a 3-year application process, and offers deposit protection of up to £120,000. The company plans to invest £3 billion in the UK market over the next few years and launch a £10 billion global expansion plan to enter 30 new markets. Revolut will fully launch traditional banking services and gradually migrate customer accounts to the new platform.
CryptoCity1h ago
Wells Fargo Files Trademark for ‘WFUSD’ Stablecoin
Wells Fargo's trademark application for "WFUSD" suggests potential plans for a dollar-pegged stablecoin as regulatory clarity in the U.S. increases. This move could position the bank among major financial institutions exploring blockchain and digital assets.
TheNewsCrypto2h ago
Data: The number of blockchain project code submissions has decreased by 75%, with developers shifting to the AI field
Since early 2025, blockchain project developer activity has significantly declined, while the overall number of GitHub developers and commits has grown substantially, especially in the artificial intelligence sector. Major blockchain network developers have decreased, with Ethereum down 34% and Solana down 40%. Only wallet infrastructure shows growth. Experienced developers contribute significantly to code commits, while new and part-time contributors have decreased.
GateNews3h ago
Is the threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin overestimated? ARK Invest illustrates a five-stage progressive risk chart
ARK Invest and Unchained's white papers rebut concerns about Bitcoin facing quantum computing risks, emphasizing that this threat will evolve gradually rather than as a sudden event. Currently, Bitcoin is not under direct threat, and post-quantum cryptography advancements are ahead of quantum computing. The reports provide a five-phase framework, recommending that holders consider migrating from old addresses and believe that the necessary upgrades can be completed within 10 to 20 years.
MarketWhisper4h ago
a16z Partner: The actual payment volume for AI agents over the past 30 days is approximately $1.6 million, far below media reports.
a16z Partner Noah Levine clarifies AI agent payment data, indicating that actual payments are approximately $1.6 million, reflecting that the measurement infrastructure is still in the early stages. Currently, AI payment activities are focused on developer tools. Although transaction volume is small, the infrastructure scale is enormous, and its future potential is worth paying attention to.
GateNews4h ago
