finance
Ethereal Ventures Reports Strong Performance Amid Crypto Investment Downturn
Ethereal Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on blockchain and crypto startups, has maintained performance despite challenges in the sector. The firm manages nearly $150 million across two funds and has invested in over 80 startups since 2021. A cofounder highlighted the company's niche expertise and focus on early-stage investments as key factors.
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Ventures, established in 2021, manages just under $150 million across two funds. The firm has invested in over 80 startups at pre-seed and seed stages. It spun out from Consensys, where a cofounder previously managed investments starting in 2018. One of its portfolio companies, EigenLayer, provides crypto-based financial services known as restaking.
EigenLayer achieved a $1.05 billion valuation in June of the previous year after a $100 million Series B round led by Andreessen Horowitz.
Amid a downturn in crypto investing, Ethereal Ventures reported that its inaugural fund achieved a distribution to paid-in capital rate above the top decile benchmark of 0.12 for 2021 funds, according to data from Carta. The firm attributed this to its expertise in niche areas and a focus on supporting founders.
The performance includes contributions from holdings in liquid tokens. The firm's second fund, launched in 2023, has deployed less than a quarter of its capital. Ethereal Ventures invests primarily in blockchain-related projects but also considers non-crypto ventures and other blockchains.
A partner at Dragonfly predicted challenges for the crypto sector, including potential widespread failures. Ethereal Ventures has avoided investing in crowded areas such as prediction markets, where competitors to Kalshi and Polymarket have emerged.
The firm emphasizes early-stage opportunities over following trends. Ethereum cofounder Joe Lubin cofounded Ethereal Ventures and remains CEO of Consensys. The firm's name references the Ethereum blockchain, which guides much of its strategy.
