Crypto VC funding: Balance brings in $30m, Hypernative collects $16m

Balance, $30 million

Gaming platform E-PAL introduced Balance, a new AI-powered blockchain experience platform, following two successful funding rounds led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Galaxy Interactive.
Animoca Brands, K5, CLF Partners, MK Capital, Heights Fund, AMBER, MarbleX, Mantra, Tuna, Aptos Labs, IOBC, Leland Ventures, Halon, Uphonest, Taisu Ventures, Gate Labs, DWF Ventures, BING, and WAGMI, also contributed to the $30-million total.
The proceeds will go toward developing the Balance infrastructure — “an open, inclusive, and equitable Web3 ecosystem.”

Hypernative, $16 million

Hypernative, known for developing an early-detection web3 security solution, raised $16 million to accelerate adoption of its AI-powered security products.
Investors in the Series A led by Quantstamp include Bloccelerate VC, Boldstart Ventures, Borderless Capital, CMT Digital, IBI Tech Fund, Knollwood Investment Advisory, Re7 Capital, and some notable angels.
This brings the total raised by Hypernative to $27 million. The startup previously collected $9 million in funding from Boldstart and IBI.

Puffpaw, $6 million

PuffPaw, a blockchain-based e-cigarette project, clinched $6 million in seed funding led by Lemniscap Ventures.
The project is geared toward users who wish to quit smoking. It records their smoking habits and rewards them with tokens.

TrendX, $5 million

TrendX successfully closed its Series A funding round, clinching $5 million.
AHZ, Promontory, Coinstash, Frontier Research, Coresky, Tido Capital and Bullperks
The startup previously raised $1 million in seed money, bringing the total to $6 million.

IDA, $6 million

IDA, a Hong Kong-based digital asset company, secured $6 million in a seed funding round led by CMCC Global, under its Titan Fund, and Hashed.
The company aims to launch its “first fiat-referenced stablecoin” called HKDA, which is designed to be regulated in Hong Kong.
Hack VC, Anagram, GSR, Protagonist, Brinc, Chorus One, Kenetic, SNZ, and Yolo Investments also joined the fundraising effort. Raj Gokal, co-founder of Solana (SOL), is a backer.

CryptoHunter World, $2.8 million

CryptoHunter World, a hybrid gaming service, completed a $2.8 million private sale round.
Supported by leading venture capital firms, including IOST, HG Ventures, Mindfulness Capital, Bigcandle Capital, Web3Wave, and Layer-OTC, this fundraising will help bring the blockchain-based collectible role-playing game into the web 3.0 space.

Additional funding rounds: undisclosed amounts

Blabla: Closed a seed round with participation from Nebula Investment, the European Blockchain Association (BCAEU) and Hopechain.
Dropnest and Cycle Network: Both startups are backed by Manta Network.
Vanilla Finance: YTWO, UOB Venture, Pluto Capital, Paper Ventures, Openspace, Notcoin, HTX Ventures Logo, Catizen and ABCDE providing seed funds.
Kroma: The Layer 2 blockchain solution provider completed a Series A funding round with backing from Asia Advisors Korea, Gate Ventures, ICC Venture, Planetarium, Presto, RFD Capital, Taisu Ventures, The Spartan Group, Waterdrip Capital, and other additional partners have also participated in this round.
Pencils Protocol: The startup raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Bing Ventures and at least three other investors.