LI.FI Secures $29M to Fuel Cross-Chain Trading Expansion

LI.FI, a blockchain infrastructure startup, has raised $29 million in new funding to expand its cross-chain capabilities and support decentralized finance (DeFi) services. The round was led by Multicoin Capital and CoinFund, bringing the company's total funding to approximately $52 million according to reports. The capital will be used to scale into new trading verticals, including perpetual futures, prediction markets, and lending.

The startup provides a platform for businesses to compare prices, fees, and cross-chain transaction paths, helping them move assets between blockchains more efficiently.

This function is particularly valuable in a crypto ecosystem where liquidity and asset transfers are often fragmented and costly according to reports. With over 800 partners—including major players like Binance, Kraken, and Robinhood—LI.FI is positioned to help bridge the infrastructure gaps in crypto trading.

The company reported that it has been profitable through transaction fees and has seen a significant increase in volume. As of October 2025, its monthly trading volume hit $8 billion, a sevenfold increase compared to the same period in 2024. LI.FI now employs over 100 people and plans to hire more to support its expansion.

A Growing Market for Cross-Chain Services

The need for cross-chain solutions has surged as more traditional fintech companies and digital wallets integrate crypto trading into their offerings. According to LI.FI's co-founder and CEO, Philipp Zentner, the company acts as a hybrid of Google Flights and Google Maps for the crypto finance space. It offers a competitive price comparison and route-finding system that helps businesses execute transactions more efficiently.

Zentner noted that the fragmented nature of blockchain networks makes it difficult for users to move assets between chains. Bridging technology, while essential, can be slow and expensive. LI.FI aims to streamline this process by providing a single API that handles execution and routing behind the scenes. This approach allows fintech apps and wallets to offer seamless trading and cross-chain services without the complexity of building infrastructure from scratch.

What This Means for Investors

The recent funding round reflects growing institutional interest in DeFi infrastructure and cross-chain solutions. Investors are betting that as crypto trading becomes a standard feature in mainstream financial apps, the demand for efficient, secure, and scalable tools will rise. Multicoin Capital's Spencer Applebaum stated that LI.FI's protocol offers a crucial function in connecting fragmented blockchains and liquidity pools.

For investors in the broader crypto market, LI.FI's expansion into new trading verticals signals a broader trend of innovation in DeFi. The firm's valuation remains undisclosed, but its ability to scale rapidly and maintain profitability is a strong indicator of its market potential.

With the $29 million in new capital, LI.FI is well-positioned to accelerate its roadmap and solidify its role as a key player in the DeFi ecosystem. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, the company's tools may prove essential for both institutional and retail participants seeking to navigate the complex and fragmented blockchain environment.