Anchorage Digital, the crypto custody unicorn last valued at over $3 billion in its 2021 Series D round, has launched a venture capital unit to support early-stage protocol teams as broader crypto funding remains muted.
The unit, called Anchorage Digital Ventures, will provide capital and strategic support to founding teams building onchain infrastructure. Anchorage said the program is designed to help protocols launch “institutional-ready from day one,” with backing that extends beyond financial investment.
The launch of Anchorage Digital Ventures comes as crypto venture capital remains subdued this year even as markets rally, as The Block reported recently. Anchorage, founded in 2017, is one of the largest crypto platforms serving institutions and was the first to receive a federal bank charter in the U.S.
Anchorage’s move follows a broader trend of large crypto infrastructure firms establishing venture arms to back early-stage teams. Coinbase Ventures has become one of the most active investors across crypto startups, while Circle Ventures has focused on ecosystem plays tied to USDC adoption. Anchorage is now positioning its ventures program as a way to align early-stage protocols with institutional support from the outset.
“Getting a protocol to market is riddled with challenges, and our Ventures program is built to clear the path forward so they can navigate with confidence,” said Nathan McCauley, co-founder and CEO of Anchorage Digital. “The protocols launching today will define how value moves through the global economy tomorrow.”
Anchorage said it is particularly interested in teams working on Bitcoin DeFi, real-world assets, decentralized identity, and other primitives with potential to become foundational infrastructure. It also highlighted projects solving pain points for institutional adoption as a key focus.
Teams chosen will gain “modest” funding, one-on-one guidance with Anchorage’s product, engineering, and go-to-market staff, and access to a structured process for selecting market makers. Anchorage also said it will help with liquidity strategies and provide pathways to institutional adoption, ensuring projects integrated with Anchorage are available to major clients from launch.
Applications for the program are open and a select group of founders will be invited to present at an invite-only demo day during Token2049 in Singapore in October. Anchorage will then announce grant recipients on a rolling basis.
The Funding newsletter: Stay on top of the latest crypto VC funding and M&A deals, news, and trends with my free bi-monthly newsletter, The Funding. Sign up here!
© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
