Crypto Whirlwind: Kraken’s Lavish Acquisition and MoonPay’s Staggering Success

Ah, the third week of March 2025, when our beloved crypto exchange, Kraken, went on a bit of a shopping spree, acquiring NinjaTrader for the rather extravagant sum of $1.5 billion. Meanwhile, MoonPay, the most charming of financial innovators, secured a dainty $200 million to smooth its payment pathways. How quaint! 🎩

According to that ever-reliable oracle, Crypto Fundraising, overall funding for the week soared to over $2 billion. It appears the chatter has turned to trading tools, storage solutions, and other such trinkets that make money move with the grace of a ballet dancer, or perhaps a drunken sailor—who can say? 🥂

NinjaTrader, $1.5 billion

Acquired by Kraken for a staggering $1.50 billion—what a delightful sum to spend on a fancy new toy!
This M&A escapade will enhance Kraken’s rather impressive trading analytics capabilities.
Building a financial and trading infrastructure that would impress even the most fastidious banker.
Developing analytical trading tools, or as I like to call them, “crystal balls for the financially inclined.”

MoonPay, $200 million

MoonPay secured a $200 million revolving credit line from Galaxy, a delightful little firm dedicated to the crypto world.
With this, they’ve now raised a grand total of $1.16 billion. Just imagine the cocktails that can buy! 🍸

Galaxy is positively thrilled to assist @moonpay with $200M to help drive growth and expand access to digital assets. As the sage @novogratz opines: “Initiatives like this are essential for the continued expansion and maturity of the industry…” Isn’t that just precious? 💼
— Galaxy (@galaxyhq) March 20, 2025

Walrus, $140 million

Walrus, in a rather elusive round, has managed to secure $140 million with a $2 billion FDV—fabulous, isn’t it?
Backed by the likes of Standard Crypto, a16z crypto, and Electric Capital, which sounds as electrifying as it is lucrative.
They’re building storage solutions on the Sui (SUI) ecosystem—sounds thrilling, doesn’t it?

VIA, $28 million

VIA raised a modest $28 million in Series B funding, perhaps for a cup of tea?
Supported by Bosch Ventures and BMW i Ventures—surely they’ll have a lovely time together.
They’ve amassed a total of $45.15 million. Oh, to be young and funded!

Crossmint, $23.6 million

Crossmint has managed to charm investors, securing $23.6 million for its NFT payment infrastructure—who knew digital art could be so lucrative?
Backed by Ribbit Capital, Franklin Templeton, and Nyca, it seems everyone wants a piece of the action!

Excited to announce our $23.6M fundraise! Led by Ribbit Capital—to bring every business and AI agent on-chain. How terribly progressive! 💡
— Crossmint (@crossmint) March 18, 2025

Halliday, $20 million

Halliday raised $20 million in Series A funding. Simply divine!
With backers like a16z crypto and Ron Conway’s SVA Angel, one might think they’re launching the next big thing—oh wait, they are!
Creating gaming payment infrastructure, which sounds almost as complicated as assembling IKEA furniture, but less frustrating.

Today, we are thrilled to announce our $20M Series A. This funding fuels the development of our Workflow Protocol. Quite the mouthful, I must say! 🌟
— Halliday (@HallidayHQ) March 18, 2025

Utila, $18 million

Utila secured a nice $18 million in Series A funding to build a multichain security wallet—what an ambitious little venture!
Backed by Nyca Partners and NFX, they’re clearly in excellent company.
They’ve raised a charming $29.5 million to date. How lovely! 🎉

SlingShot DAO, $16 million

SlingShot DAO has raised $16 million in an unspecified round. Mysterious, isn’t it?
They were graced with contributions from Dragonfly and Animoca Brands—clearly, a happening crowd!
To date, the project has raised a total of $19 million. A charming pastime indeed!

Privy, $15 million

Privy secured $15 million in another rather shadowy round.
Supported by Ribbit Capital, Sequoia, and Paradigm—it’s like a who’s who of the financial elite!
The startup has raised an impressive $33 million so far. Now that’s what I call a party!

Privy raises $15M in a round led by Ribbit Capital. I do hope they throw an exquisite cocktail party! 🎊
— Messari (@MessariCrypto) March 19, 2025

Notable crypto VC funding rounds < $10 million

Ephyra, $10.5 million for AI gaming on P2E—what on earth does that mean?
Yeet, $7.75 million for P2E gaming on Berachain. The name alone sounds like a good time!
Pluralis Research, $7.60 million for AI infrastructure—fascinating!
Uranium Digital, $6.10 million for real-world assets on Solana. Not your usual dinner conversation!
ABEX, $6 million for financial asset management. Riveting stuff, indeed!
Soluna, Opinion Labs, and Hibachi each raised $5 million. Oh, I do hope they got the sauce just right!
Stable Sea, $3.5 million for stablecoin payments. Surely that’s a bit of a contradiction?
Redacted, $3.01 million with $70 million FDV for entertainment—how very coy! 🎭
Level Protocol, $2.6 million for stablecoin solutions. Oh, the suspense!
Manifest Finance, $2.5 million for real-world assets. How utterly refreshing!
Stoffel MPC, $1.6 million for privacy infrastructure. Someone’s keeping secrets!
Oro, $1.5 million for Solana real-world assets. Quite the economic endeavor!
Kamigotchi, $1.3 million for P2E gaming—a nostalgic throwback!
Bedrock, $1.25 million with $25 million FDV for DeFi staking, because why not? 😏
NeuronX, $1 million for AI lending solutions. A small fortune indeed!

2025-03-22 16:54