Exploring The Investment Trends Of Crypto Venture Capitalists In Today's "Bullish" Market

The value of a cryptocurrency can be influenced by various factors, including news about the cryptocurrency and its underlying technology, government regulations, and overall market conditions. The market can also be influenced by investor sentiment, which can be affected by a wide range of events. Just a month ago, everyone is still saying its a bear market. As of this week, everyone is cheering for the current bull run. Bitcoin reached its highest price since mid-August by breaking through the price ceiling of US$24,000. This was largely attributed to investors liquidating almost US$70 million of predominantly short-position bets.

There are many different types of investments in the cryptocurrency space, and the popular specific investments can vary over time.

More Popular Types Of Cryptocurrency Investments

Buying And Holding: This is the most straightforward and common investment strategy. Investors buy a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin BTC/USD or Ethereum ETH/USD and hold onto it for the long term, with the expectation that its value will increase over time.

Trading: Trading involves buying and selling cryptocurrencies on an exchange to make a profit based on short-term price fluctuations. This strategy requires a good understanding of technical analysis and market trends.

Mining: Mining involves using computer hardware to solve complex mathematical problems and verify transactions on a blockchain network. Miners are rewarded with newly minted cryptocurrency as an incentive for their work.

Staking: Staking involves holding a certain amount of a cryptocurrency in a wallet and locking it up to support the network's security and transaction processing. In exchange, stakers receive rewards in the form of newly minted coins.

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs): ICOs and IEOs are ways for companies to raise funds by selling newly created cryptocurrencies to investors. This strategy can be risky as some ICOs and IEOs have turned out to be scams.

Cryptocurrencies have several investment theses. Some investors believe that they have the potential to replace traditional fiat currencies, while others see them mainly as a store of value or a means of exchange. In addition, some investors see the underlying blockchain technology as having the potential to revolutionize a variety of industries, from supply chain management to identity verification.

Some Specific Investment Theses For Cryptocurrencies

The use of cryptocurrency as a means of exchange: Some people believe that cryptocurrencies will eventually be used as a primary means of exchange, replacing traditional fiat currencies.

The store of value thesis: Some people believe that cryptocurrencies will eventually be used as a store of value, similar to gold.

The blockchain revolution thesis: Some people believe that the underlying blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries and that investing in cryptocurrencies is a way to get in on the ground floor of this technological revolution.

The "greater fool" theory: Some people believe that the price of a cryptocurrency will continue to go up as long as someone is willing to buy it at a higher price, even if there is no intrinsic value to the cryptocurrency. This is sometimes referred to as the "greater fool" theory of investing.

Venture capitalists (VCs) are individuals or firms who provide funding to early-stage companies in exchange for an equity stake. In the cryptocurrency space, VCs have traditionally invested directly in cryptocurrencies or blockchain-based startups, but recently there has been a shift in focus towards investments in blockchain infrastructure and applications.

The fall of FTX and other crypto exchanges has led VCs to become more cautious about investing in cryptocurrencies directly. Instead, they are looking to invest in companies that are building out the underlying technology and infrastructure of the blockchain. This includes companies that are developing blockchain-based platforms, building decentralized applications, or working on other blockchain-related projects.

The reason for this shift is that many VCs see a long-term potential for blockchain technology to disrupt various industries and believe that investing in the underlying infrastructure will yield better returns than investing directly in cryptocurrencies, which are known for their volatility. Another reason for this shift is that the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies is still uncertain and can create risks for investors. By investing in blockchain infrastructure and applications, VCs can mitigate some of these risks and potentially realize greater returns in the long run.

Some Specific Areas Of Interest For VCs In The Cryptocurrency Space.

Blockchain infrastructure: VCs are increasingly supporting startups working towards building a robust blockchain infrastructure. These companies focus on developing innovative solutions that can potentially revolutionize the blockchain ecosystem. One key area of interest for VCs is the development of new consensus algorithms. These algorithms enable network participants to agree on a shared state of the blockchain without relying on a centralized authority. Some companies are working on proof-of-stake (PoS) algorithms that reduce the energy consumption associated with proof-of-work (PoW) algorithms, which are used by Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

They are also investing in layer1 companies, which are startups that focus on building the foundational infrastructure layer of the blockchain. These companies are working on creating new and innovative technologies that can potentially improve the scalability, security, and performance of the blockchain. Former team members from traditional finance giant Jump Trading have established a tech startup called Monad Labs, which has raised $19 million in seed funding. The company intends to create a new blockchain that addresses the shortcomings of existing layer 1 protocols. According to a statement, the Monad blockchain will be introduced on a testnet in the coming months, with plans for mainnet deployment later this year. The blockchain will use the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing projects on Monad to interact with the EVM software platform. This interoperability will enable developers from other blockchain projects to construct decentralized applications that can work together on the Ethereum network.

Web3 solutions: Web3, also known as Web 3.0, is the next iteration of the World Wide Web, and it is built on blockchain technology. It is designed to be more decentralized, secure, and open than the current Web. VCs are looking for projects that align with the core principles of Web3 and have the potential to drive its adoption and growth. This is another rising trend. Just last week alone, I noted more than $20 million were raised in the Web3 space. 

• Caldera, a provider of Web3 application infrastructure, has secured a total of $9 million in funding from two investment rounds. The funding was spearheaded by established financial powerhouse Sequoia Capital and digital currency-focused firm Dragonfly. 
• UK-based startup Nefta, which focuses on Web3 in the gaming and entertainment industry, has disclosed raising $5 million in a seed funding round led by the Future Fund of venture firm Play Ventures.
• In a seed funding round co-led by Insignia Venture Partners, MindWorks Capital, and Signum Capital, Sending Labs has raised $12.5 million. The company's objective is to offer a more accessible approach for developers and users to construct and engage with decentralized communication-based applications (dapps).

I noted amongst the VCs in my network they are also looking at blockchain applications. VCs have also invested in companies that are using the blockchain to build new applications, such as supply chain management platforms, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and decentralized identity solutions. Interoperability and cross-chain solutions, for example, aim to enable different blockchain networks to communicate and interact with each other and are also one of the top investment choices.

In my opinion, investing in blockchain infrastructure and applications is likely to promote the expansion and maturation of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, and potentially generate more sustainable returns for investors over the long term. However, it's important to recognize that VC investment is just one aspect of the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. Other investors, such as hedge funds, family offices, and individual investors, may have differing investment theses and strategies, which can also impact the market. It's crucial to stay informed about the various factors that can influence the cryptocurrency space and adapt investment strategies accordingly. As a licensed fund manager and a VC myself for over a decade, this is my humble note to all.

"To achieve the best returns in the crypto space, it's important to believe in the underlying technology, focus on community growth, and capitalize on market trends. By understanding the technology behind a particular cryptocurrency and its potential for solving real-world problems, investors can make informed investment decisions that align with their long-term goals."- Anndy Lian