The first quarter of 2024 marked a pivotal turning point for the cryptocurrency industry, as market momentum shifted from prolonged stagnation to renewed innovation and investor confidence. With the U.S. SEC’s landmark approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs in January, the digital asset ecosystem entered a new era of institutional acceptance and mainstream visibility. Total crypto market capitalization surged to $2.6 trillion, stablecoin supply exceeded $150 billion, and Bitcoin briefly surpassed silver in market value—signaling a strong revival.
Amid this resurgence, OKX Ventures remained at the forefront of strategic investment, actively supporting high-potential projects across key sectors including blockchain infrastructure, Bitcoin ecosystem development, AI and decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN), GameFi, DeFi, and SocialFi. Infrastructure projects accounted for 60% of total investments, underscoring the belief that robust foundational layers are essential for long-term scalability, security, and user adoption.
Strategic Focus: Building the Backbone of Web3
Blockchain infrastructure continues to serve as the cornerstone of Web3 advancement. As Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks evolve, demand for scalable, secure, and interoperable solutions has never been higher. OKX Ventures has doubled down on early-stage protocols enabling modular blockchains, rollup-as-a-service platforms, zero-knowledge proof acceleration, and decentralized data availability.
Key Infrastructure Investments
- AltLayer: A modular execution layer built on Optimistic Rollups, AltLayer enables developers to deploy application-specific rollups across Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot, and Cosmos. Its Rollups-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform lowers technical barriers with no-code deployment, while its "instant rollups" allow rapid dApp scaling with Layer 1 security guarantees.
- Cysic: Specializing in hardware acceleration for zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), Cysic develops FPGA and GPU-optimized libraries for critical ZK computations like MSM and NTT. By reducing proof generation time and energy consumption, Cysic accelerates the viability of ZK-based scaling and privacy solutions.
- Eclipse: Leveraging Solana’s Virtual Machine (SVM), Eclipse offers an Ethereum Layer 2 that combines high throughput with Ethereum-level security. Integrated with Celestia for data availability and RISC Zero for ZK verification, Eclipse aims to deliver scalable yet secure execution environments.
- Lumoz: A decentralized ZK-Rollup-as-a-Service (ZK-RaaS) network combining PoW and PoS mechanisms. Lumoz allows developers to deploy zkEVM chains across multiple networks while enabling miners to generate ZK proofs through a proof-of-work model—bridging traditional mining incentives with next-gen cryptography.
- Taiko: A fully decentralized ZK-EVM rollup designed for seamless Ethereum compatibility. Developers can migrate existing dApps without code changes, benefiting from lower fees and inherited L1 security. Taiko’s three-component architecture—zkEVM prover, L2 node, and verification protocol—ensures transparency and decentralization.
- ZeroGravity (0G): The first data availability system with a native universal storage layer. By splitting data workflows into publish and storage channels, 0G achieves exceptional scalability through its dual-layer design: 0G DA for availability and 0G Storage for persistent data retention.
- zkMe: A privacy-preserving identity oracle using zero-knowledge proofs to verify user credentials without exposing personal information. Users receive soulbound tokens (SBTs) cryptographically linked to their public keys, enabling anonymous yet trustworthy authentication across dApps.
These investments reflect a clear vision: scalable, composable, and privacy-enhanced infrastructure is the foundation upon which future decentralized applications will thrive.
Bitcoin Renaissance: Unlocking Programmability and Utility
Bitcoin's ecosystem experienced explosive growth in early 2024, fueled by innovations in Layer 2 scaling, token standards like BRC-20, and new financial primitives. OKX Ventures strategically backed projects expanding Bitcoin’s utility beyond store-of-value into DeFi, identity, and interoperability.
Notable Bitcoin Ecosystem Projects
- Babylon: A Cosmos-based staking protocol allowing BTC holders to secure PoS chains natively—without wrapping or bridging. Using one-time signatures and Bitcoin’s PoW for timestamping, Babylon introduces native BTC staking with enhanced security and yield opportunities.
- B² Network: An EVM-compatible Bitcoin L2 leveraging ZK-Rollups. By anchoring Merkle roots and proofs via Tapscript on Bitcoin’s mainnet, B² ensures verifiable trustlessness while enabling seamless dApp deployment from Ethereum’s ecosystem.
- Merlin Chain: A ZK-Rollup Layer 2 built on Bitcoin using Taproot. Transactions are compressed and submitted on-chain via a decentralized Oracle network, ensuring transparency and security without sacrificing performance.
- UniSat Wallet: A leading BTC and inscriptions wallet supporting BRC-20 minting, trading, and indexing. UniSat also contributes to foundational infrastructure and is developing Fractal Bitcoin—a proposed scaling solution.
- bitSmiley: The first native stablecoin protocol on Bitcoin. BitSmiley issues BitUSD, an over-collateralized stablecoin backed by BTC deposits. Its unique debt auction model uses future protocol revenue to repay creditors before distributing profits.
- Bounce Finance: A multi-chain auction protocol now focusing on Bitcoin ecosystem support. Offering token/NFT auctions, real-world collectibles sales, and a Private Launchpad for IDOs, Bounce provides critical launch infrastructure for emerging BTC-native projects.
- DLC.Link: Enables trustless integration of native Bitcoin into smart contract ecosystems using Discreet Log Contracts (DLCs). Its non-custodial approach lets developers build cross-chain financial products—like lending and derivatives—without third-party custody risks.
This diversified approach demonstrates OKX Ventures’ commitment to unlocking Bitcoin’s full potential—not just as digital gold, but as a programmable financial platform.
GameFi Evolution: From Niche Experiments to Immersive Worlds
GameFi regained momentum in 2024 as players embraced full-chain games, immersive metaverses, and player-owned economies. OKX Ventures invested in platforms bridging gaming identity, cross-chain interoperability, and engaging gameplay mechanics.
GameFi Portfolio Highlights
- Carv.io: Combines Web2 and Web3 data to create unique player identities (Web3 ID) and monetize gaming activity through data-sharing. CARV Protocol powers CARV Play—a launchpad for game campaigns and on-chain events.
- Mocaverse Platform: Animoca Brands’ decentralized app store for Web3 gaming and entertainment. Users create a Moca ID to access a unified login experience across 450+ portfolio games.
- Lumiterra: A multiplayer survival game offering classless progression where players shape their own paths—combat, farming, or gathering. Its Sodium wallet integrates ERC-4337 account abstraction with ZK and MPC tech for frictionless onboarding.
- BLOCKLORDS: A AAA-grade strategy MMO set in a medieval universe. Players manage resources, build armies, upgrade castles, and engage in large-scale battles across a persistent world.
- L3E7: A 3D location-based game rendering real-world cities into a cyberpunk-inspired metaverse. Players explore physical geography transformed into immersive digital experiences.
These investments highlight the shift toward richer narratives, deeper engagement, and true digital ownership in gaming—paving the way for mass adoption.
DeFi Innovation: Staking, Restaking, and Beyond
Decentralized Finance remains a core engine of Web3 innovation. With the rise of liquid staking and restaking—popularized by EigenLayer—DeFi protocols are creating new yield opportunities while reinforcing network security.
Leading DeFi Protocols Backed
- Navi: One of SUI’s largest DeFi protocols by TVL (~$150M). Offers lending for long-tail assets and acquired Volo to provide fully decentralized liquid staking services—evolving into a one-stop DeFi hub.
- Ether.fi: A non-custodial liquid staking solution with over $2.9B in ETH staked. Automatically participates in EigenLayer for restaking rewards, delivering compounded yields while maintaining user key control.
- Renzo: A leading restaking platform supporting native ETH and multiple LSD tokens. With over $1.25B in assets staked, Renzo simplifies access to EigenLayer-aligned protocols across ecosystems.
These projects exemplify the next phase of DeFi: composability-driven yield generation with enhanced security models.
AI & Web3 Convergence: Decentralized Intelligence
The fusion of artificial intelligence and blockchain is unlocking novel use cases—from decentralized compute markets to AI agent economies.
AI-Focused Investments
- io.net: A Solana-based decentralized GPU network aggregating idle computing power for AI/ML workloads. Offers low-cost, high-performance infrastructure through a unified platform.
- Myshell: An interactive AI agent creation platform where users design personalized bots with unique voices, personalities, and functions—including translation and content generation.
- 0xScope: Provides AI-powered Web3 analytics tools that generate insights akin to ChatGPT—offering address behavior analysis and comprehensive blockchain reports.
- FLock: A decentralized AI co-creation platform incentivizing contributions of data, models, and compute power to foster community-driven AI development.
- Meson Network: A decentralized bandwidth marketplace with over 250K global nodes. Uses incentive mechanisms to redistribute unused bandwidth efficiently.
This synergy between AI efficiency and Web3 decentralization promises transformative applications in automation, privacy, and autonomous systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What sectors did OKX Ventures prioritize in Q1 2024?
A: Infrastructure (60% of investments), Bitcoin ecosystem expansion, GameFi innovation, DeFi advancements (especially liquid staking/restaking), and AI/Web3 convergence were key focus areas.
Q: Why is infrastructure receiving so much attention?
A: Scalable networks, secure rollups, efficient ZK proof systems, and robust data layers are prerequisites for mass adoption. Without strong foundations, higher-level applications cannot scale sustainably.
Q: How is OKX Ventures supporting Bitcoin beyond just funding?
A: Through strategic partnerships in wallet infrastructure (UniSat), DeFi integration (bitSmiley), cross-chain access (DLC.Link), and Layer 2 development (Merlin Chain), OKX Ventures fosters holistic growth within the BTC ecosystem.
Q: What makes restaking such a significant trend?
A: Restaking allows staked assets to provide additional security layers across multiple protocols (e.g., EigenLayer), generating extra yield while enhancing overall network resilience—a win-win for users and developers.
Q: Are AI and blockchain truly compatible?
A: Absolutely. Blockchain brings transparency, ownership, and incentive alignment to AI—while AI enhances data processing, automation, and personalization within decentralized systems.
Q: How does OKX Ventures select investment targets?
A: By evaluating technical innovation, team expertise, product-market fit, community traction, and long-term ecosystem impact—prioritizing projects with sustainable models and transformative potential.
👉 See how top-tier blockchain ventures are driving innovation across AI, gaming, finance, and beyond.
As 2024 unfolds, the convergence of Bitcoin innovation, L2 scalability breakthroughs, immersive GameFi experiences, advanced DeFi mechanisms, and AI-powered infrastructure sets the stage for unprecedented growth. OKX Ventures remains committed to empowering visionary builders shaping the decentralized future—delivering value not only to investors but to the global Web3 community at large.