Hemi Raises $15 Million to Advance Bitcoin Programmability Ahead of TGE

Hemi raises $15 million in growth funding, led by YZi Labs, Republic Digital, and HyperChain Capital, to accelerate development of its Bitcoin programmability layer. The raise brings total funding to $30 million and aims to bridge the gap between Bitcoin's $2.3 trillion market capitalization and the innovation happening in the DeFi landscape. Hemi's architecture, including the Hemi Virtual Machine, enables Ethereum-style programmability while maintaining Bitcoin's security inheritance. The project currently reports $1.2 billion in total value locked and over 100,000 verified users.

Hemi, a pioneering project aiming to bridge Bitcoin's robust security with Ethereum's flexible smart contracts, has raised $15 million in a new funding round. This investment, led by YZi Labs, Republic Digital, and HyperChain Capital, brings Hemi's total funding to $30 million. The raise underscores investors' confidence in Hemi's goal to connect Bitcoin with the wider decentralized app ecosystem.

Hemi's architecture, including the Hemi Virtual Machine (HVM), enables developers to build applications on Bitcoin similar to how they do on Ethereum. This combination of Bitcoin's security and Ethereum-like programmability opens up new opportunities for decentralized finance (DeFi), asset management, and cross-chain interactions. The project currently reports over $1.2 billion in total value locked and boasts over 100,000 verified users.

The funding will support the development of Hemi's Virtual Machine, cross-chain "Tunnels," and a new proof-of-proof consensus method, all aimed at improving scalability and security. By integrating with over 70 projects, including MetaMask, Sushi, and LayerZero, Hemi is positioning itself as a key player in Bitcoin Layer 2 technology.

This funding round comes as the broader DeFi landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with institutional players increasingly integrating blockchain technology into their core strategies. The U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) 2025 policy memo, "Ending Regulation by Prosecution," has clarified regulatory risks for blockchain innovation, leading to a surge in DeFi venture capital funding. This regulatory clarity creates a fertile ground for innovation, particularly in areas such as digital asset trading and cross-chain interoperability.

Hemi's focus on auditable solutions and compliance-first protocols aligns with this trend, positioning it well for future growth. As the fintech landscape evolves, projects like Hemi that balance innovation with regulatory compliance are likely to thrive.

References:

[1] https://thecoinrise.com/hemi-bags-15m-funding-to-build-bitcoin-programming-layer/
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/mog-digitech-strategic-move-alt5-sigma-era-web3-defi-growth-2508/