Anchorage Digital Launches Venture Unit to Fund Onchain Infrastructure Innovation

Anchorage Digital, the crypto custody unicorn previously valued at over $3 billion in its 2021 Series D round, has announced the launch of a new venture capital unit to support early-stage onchain protocols [1]. The initiative, named Anchorage Digital Ventures, will provide funding and strategic resources to teams developing onchain infrastructure, aiming to help these protocols become “institutional-ready from day one.” This move is part of a broader trend in the crypto industry where major infrastructure providers are expanding into venture activities to support foundational innovation.

The venture unit will focus on protocols operating in key areas such as Bitcoin DeFi, real-world asset integration, and decentralized identity. Anchorage Digital is particularly interested in projects that address institutional adoption challenges and have the potential to become foundational infrastructure within the blockchain ecosystem [2]. In addition to capital, selected teams will receive personalized guidance from Anchorage’s product, engineering, and market teams, along with support in liquidity strategies and pathways to institutional adoption.

The launch of Anchorage Digital Ventures occurs amid a subdued venture funding environment in crypto, despite recent market rallies. As one of the largest crypto platforms serving institutional clients, Anchorage Digital—founded in 2017 and the first U.S. crypto firm to receive a federal bank charter—is leveraging its expertise to provide more than just financial backing. Nathan McCauley, co-founder and CEO of Anchorage Digital, emphasized that the program is designed to “clear the path forward” for protocols, helping them navigate the complex process of getting to market [1].

Applications for the venture unit are currently open, with a select group of founders invited to present at a demo day during Token2049 in Singapore in October. Anchorage will announce grant recipients on a rolling basis, allowing for continuous support of emerging protocols [1]. The structured approach highlights the firm’s commitment to fostering innovation while maintaining the institutional-grade standards it is known for.

The venture initiative reflects Anchorage Digital’s broader strategic shift to actively shape the future of decentralized finance and Web3 infrastructure. By combining its operational and compliance expertise with a hands-on investment approach, the firm is positioning itself not only as a custodian but also as a key enabler of onchain innovation. This move could influence the broader market by encouraging more institutional-grade support for high-risk, high-reward blockchain projects.

Anchorage Digital’s entry into the venture space underscores the evolving role of crypto infrastructure firms in the industry’s development. As the venture unit gains momentum, the focus will be on which protocols receive backing and how the firm’s involvement impacts their growth and adoption.

Source:

[1] Crypto unicorn Anchorage Digital launches venture unit to back early-stage onchain protocols, https://www.theblock.co/post/368138/crypto-unicorn-anchorage-digital-launches-venture-unit-to-back-early-stage-onchain-protocols