After analyzing 43 Pre-TGE projects on Kaito, we identified current development trends among crypto projects.
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After analyzing 43 Pre-TGE projects on Kaito, we identified current development trends among crypto projects.
A large amount of funding is concentrated in vertical Layer 1 and Layer 2 projects, with AI blockchains being the hottest sector. Full-chain interoperability represents the mainstream trend for chains and applications, while many traditional sectors are gradually declining, signaling the emergence of a new crypto cycle.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: ABC Alpha Researcher @cyrus_g3
To study the current evolution trends of crypto projects, we need some active but pre-TGE projects as research subjects. Therefore, we conducted our analysis based on pre-TGE projects from the InfoFi platform @KaitoAI.
From 43 pre-TGE projects, we discovered some interesting data and gained a general view of mainstream directions and evolutionary trends in today's crypto space. Ultimately, we compiled eight emerging trends, which we will present one by one below. Basic information for all 43 pre-TGE projects is included at the end of this article.
1. The Most Crowded Sector is AI
A total of 11 projects, accounting for 25.5%, are:
@0G_labs, @AlloraNetwork, @campnetworkxyz, @hyperbolic_labs, @Mira_Network, @Novastro_xyz, @NetworkNoya, @OpenledgerHQ
@symphonyio, @TheoriqAI, @wardenprotocol
AI-focused projects are diversifying into three main categories: AI-dedicated Layer1 blockchains, DeAI (DeFi Agents), and AI infrastructure.
Among these, "AI-dedicated Layer1 blockchain projects" have raised the largest amount of funding both in size and number. The top three fundraising amounts are:
@0G_labs $75M
@AlloraNetwork $32.5M
@campnetworkxyz $29M
2. The Layer1 Blockchain Sector Remains Active, Showing Trends Toward High Performance and Vertical Specialization
There are 10 Layer1 blockchain projects, making up 23.2%—second only to AI-based projects.
High-performance Layer1s (3):
@FogoChain, @monad_xyz, @Somnia_Network
Layer1s customized for AI (6):
@0G_labs, @AlloraNetwork, @campnetworkxyz, @Mira_Network, @OpenledgerHQ, @wardenprotocol
Specialized data-focused Layer1 (1):
@irys_xyz
3. Omnichain Applications Are Becoming a Trend
There are 8 omnichain infrastructure and application projects, representing 18.6% of the total.
Web3 OS enabling multi-chain dApp deployment: @anoma
Custom rollup platform with seamless cross-chain interoperability: @Calderaxyz
One-stop multi-chain financial platform: @infinex
Programmable multi-chain liquidity network: @MitosisOrg
Multi-chain yield protocol supporting multiple asset types: @multiplifi
AI-driven multi-chain RWAFi protocol: @Novastro_xyz
Unified liquidity layer for cross-chain money markets: @0xSoulProtocol
ZK-powered omnichain interoperability protocol: @union_build
4. General-Purpose Layer2s Are Vanishing; Vertical-Specific Layer2s Begin to Emerge
EVM- and SVM-compatible Layer2: @EclipseFND
Layer2 focused on DeFi ecosystem: @katana, @tradeparadex
High-performance Ethereum L2 capable of parallel computation: @megaeth_labs
5. Bitcoin Ecosystem Projects Still Exist, But Numbers Have Significantly Declined (4 Total)
Bitcoin ZK-Rollup offering BTC yield: @GOATRollup
DeFi protocol bridging BTC across chains: @Lombard_Finance
Non-custodial Bitcoin cross-chain infrastructure: @PortaltoBitcoin
Universal yield layer for Bitcoin: @satlayer
6. ZK Sector Remains in Infrastructure and Technical Services Phase (3 Projects)
General-purpose ZK protocol built on RISC Zero: @boundless_xyz
Infrastructure providing ZK proofs for applications: @SuccinctLabs
ZK support for omnichain interoperability protocols: @union_build
7. Classic Sectors Like GameFi, SocialFi, DID, and DePIN Are Sharply Declining and Becoming Marginalized
Among the 42 projects surveyed: only 1.5 GameFi projects—one being an online multiplayer on-chain farm exploration game @LumiterraGame, and the other a crypto-payment-based on-chain gaming marketplace @yeet (counted as half a GameFi project).
One SocialFi project integrated with a Meme Launchpad: @MemeX_MRC20
One palm-print-based DID protocol: @Humanityprot
One DePIN project leveraging idle computing power for mining: @theblessnetwork
GameFi, SocialFi, DID, and DePIN—once popular sectors during the last cycle—are now waning, again highlighting the strong cyclicality of the crypto industry.
8. Highest-Funded Sectors Are Layer1, AI, and Omnichain
These three sectors largely represent the major development trends in today’s crypto projects.
Top-funded project: high-performance Layer1 blockchain @monad_xyz, raising $224M
Backed by leading institutions such as Paradigm, Dragonfly, and Wintermute
Second-highest: AI-dedicated blockchain @0G_labs, raising $75M
Supported by Hack VC, Delphi Digital, OKX Ventures, and others
Third-highest: one-stop multi-chain finance platform @infinex, raising $65.3M
Backed by Wintermute, Framework Ventures, Solana Ventures, and others
Summary
Based on our survey of 42 pre-TGE projects on @KaitoAI, we identified eight emerging trends. We observe that both Layer1 and Layer2 are trending toward vertical specialization, with substantial funding concentrated in vertical-specific Layer1 and Layer2 projects. AI blockchains represent the hottest sector, while omnichain solutions dominate the trend in chains and applications. Meanwhile, many classic sectors are gradually fading, signaling the emergence of a new crypto cycle.
Below is full information for all 42 pre-TGE projects, listed alphabetically:
1. 0G
@0G_labs
Positioning: Decentralized AI Layer1
Funding & Investors: $75M. Hack VC, Delphi Digital, OKX Ventures, etc.
2. Allora
@AlloraNetwork
Positioning: Self-evolving AI Layer1 Blockchain
Funding & Investors: $32.5M. Polychain, CoinFund, Blockchain Capital, etc.
3. Anoma
@anoma
Positioning: Web3 OS enabling multi-chain dApp deployment
Funding & Investors: $57.8M. Polychain, Electric Capital, etc.
4. Bless
@theblessnetwork
Positioning: DePIN project using idle computing power for mining
Funding & Investors: $8M. NGC, MH Ventures, etc.
5. Boundless
@boundless_xyz
Positioning: General-purpose ZK protocol built on RISC Zero
Funding & Investors: $54M. Blockchain Capital, Fenbushi Capital
6. Caldera
@Calderaxyz
Positioning: Customizable rollup platform with seamless cross-chain interoperability
Funding & Investors: $24M. Founders Fund, Dragonfly, Sequoia Capital
7. Campnetwork
@campnetworkxyz
Positioning: Layer1 blockchain for AI and IP
Funding & Investors: $29M. 1Kx, Blockchain Capital, etc.
8. Eclipse
@EclipseFND
Positioning: Ethereum Layer2 supporting SVM
Funding & Investors: $65M. Placeholder, Polychain, etc.
9. Fogo
@FogoChain
Positioning: High-performance millisecond-level Layer1 blockchain
Funding & Investors: $13.5M. Distributed Global, CMS Holdings, etc.
10. Hana
@HanaNetwork
Positioning: App-based financial entertainment platform built on Hyperliquid
Funding & Investors: $4M. Dewhales Capital, Morph, Orange DAO, etc.
11. GOAT Network
@GOATRollup
Positioning: Native Bitcoin ZK-Rollup offering BTC yield
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
12. Humanity Protocol
@Humanityprot
Positioning: Palmprint-based DID protocol
Funding & Investors: $50M. Pantera Capital, Jump Crypto, etc.
13. hyperbolic
@hyperbolic_labs
Positioning: On-demand AI cloud computing platform
Funding & Investors: $50M. Variant Fund, Polychain
14. Infinex
@infinex
Positioning: One-stop multi-chain financial platform
Funding & Investors: $65.3M
Wintermute, Framework Ventures, Solana Ventures, etc.
15. Irys
@irys_xyz
Positioning: Programmable data chain
Funding & Investors: $8.7M
Framework Ventures, Lemniscap
16. Katana
@katana
Positioning: Layer2 blockchain focused on DeFi
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
Polygon Labs, GSR
17. Lombard
@Lombard_Finance
Positioning: DeFi protocol bringing BTC to multiple chains
Funding & Investors: $17M
Polychain, YZi Labs, DAO5, etc.
18. Lumiterra
@LumiterraGame
Positioning: Multiplayer online on-chain farm exploration game
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
19. Megaeth
@megaeth_labs
Positioning: High-performance Ethereum L2 capable of parallel computation
Funding & Investors: $20M
Dragonfly, Robot Ventures, etc.
20. MemeX
@MemeX_MRC20
Positioning: Platform integrating SocialFi, Memes, and Launchpad
Funding & Investors: $7M
Memecore, etc.
21. Mira
@Mira_Network
Positioning: Dedicated blockchain for cross-verifying AI outputs
Funding & Investors: $7M
Framework Ventures, Bitkraft Ventures, etc.
22. Mitosis
@MitosisOrg
Positioning: Programmable multi-chain liquidity network
Funding & Investors: $7M
Foresight Ventures, GSR, Amber Group
23. Monad
@monad_xyz
Positioning: EVM-compatible high-performance Layer1
Funding & Investors: $244M
Paradigm, Dragonfly, Wintermute, etc.
24. MultiBank.io
@multibank_io
Positioning: Crypto-compliant exchange
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
25. Multipli.fi
@multiplifi
Positioning: Multi-chain yield protocol supporting stablecoins, tokens, RWA, and other assets
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
Pantera, Sequoia Capital, etc.
26. Novastro
@Novastro_xyz
Positioning: AI-driven multi-chain RWAFi protocol
Funding & Investors: $1.2M
Woodstock, Double Peak Group, etc.
27. Noya.ai
@NetworkNoya
Positioning: Trusted protocol introducing agents into multi-chain DeFi
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
28. Openledger
@OpenledgerHQ
Positioning: AI-dedicated blockchain
Funding & Investors: $8M
Polychain, Borderless Capital
29. Paradex Network
@tradeparadex
Positioning: Perpetual contract exchange on Starknet with a dedicated appchain
Funding & Investors: $35M
Paradigm, Jump Capital, Dragonfly
30. Portal
@PortaltoBitcoin
Positioning: Non-custodial Bitcoin cross-chain infrastructure
Funding & Investors: $42.5M
Coinbase Ventures, OKX Ventures, etc.
31. puffpaw
@puffpaw_xyz
Positioning: Crypto e-cigarette ecosystem incentivizing smoking cessation
Funding & Investors: $6M
The Spartan Group, Lemniscap, etc.
32. Satlayer
@satlayer
Positioning: Universal yield layer for Bitcoin
Funding & Investors: $8M
Hack VC, OKX Ventures
33. Sidekick
@Sidekick_Labs
Positioning: Web3 live content platform
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
YZi Capital, Folius Ventures
34. Somnia
@Somnia_Network
Positioning: High-performance EVM-compatible Layer1
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
MSquared
35. Soul Lab
@0xSoulProtocol
Positioning: Unified liquidity layer for cross-chain money markets
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
36. Succinct
@SuccinctLabs
Positioning: Infrastructure providing ZK proofs for applications
Funding & Investors: $55M
Paradigm, Robot Ventures, Bankless Ventures
37. Symphony
@symphonyio
Positioning: AI-driven DeFi execution layer
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
CSP DAO, Dewhales Capital
38. Theoriq
@TheoriqAI
Positioning: System enabling efficient collaboration among Web3 agents
Funding & Investors: $10.2M
Hack VC, IOSG Ventures
39. Thriveprotocol
@thriveprotocol
Positioning: Web3 project evaluation and funding platform supported by Polygon, ApeCoin, and Hedera
Funding & Investors: $100M
Polygon, ApeCoin, Hedera
40. Turtle.Club
@turtleclubhouse
Positioning: Liquidity distribution protocol
Rewards token holders for providing liquidity, swapping, referrals, and other on-chain activities
Funding & Investors: $6.2M
THEIA, ConsenSys
41. Union
@union_build
Positioning: ZK-powered omnichain interoperability protocol
Funding & Investors: $16M
LongHash Ventures, gumi Cryptos Capital
42. Warden
@wardenprotocol
Positioning: Dedicated blockchain for quickly integrating AI agents into on-chain applications
Funding & Investors: Undisclosed
43. Yeet
@yeet
Positioning: On-chain gaming marketplace using cryptocurrency payments
Funding & Investors: $7.8M
Dragonfly, Primitive Ventures
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