Led · Equity · Feb 2025

Taproot Wizards is focused on advancing OP_CAT, a Bitcoin improvement proposal its founders say could enable Ethereum-like smart contract functionality via covenants. The group plans to use the funding to build an ecosystem of applications that leverage OP_CAT for permissionless programmability, including lending and trading while preserving self-custody. Taproot Wizards previously sold a collection of 3,000 NFT-like pieces called "Quantum Cats" about a year ago to drum up support for OP_CAT. The project says it has been attempting to "meme OP_CAT back into existence" and frames the feature as the "missing piece" for Bitcoin programmability. The proposal was originally included in Bitcoin's code by Satoshi Nakamoto but removed over concerns such as DoS risks, and many developers remain wary of reintroducing it. The group positions its work under a vision to "make Bitcoin magical again." Taproot Wizards is an Ordinals-based NFT collection on Bitcoin inspired by a decade-old Reddit wizard meme, with a limited mint of 2,121 wizards. As of the article, 2,106 (99.3%) have been inscribed to the blockchain, but fewer than 1% — just 20 Ordinals — have been distributed, and the team is intentionally pacing releases. Co-founders Udi Wertheimer and Eric Wall emphasize community-driven activities (a “wizard school,” tattoos, videos and other participation) and a mission to "bring innovation back to Bitcoin." The project raised $7.5 million in a round led by Standard Crypto and declined to disclose a valuation. Funds will be used to rebuild Bitcoin’s “wizard village,” compete with other chains like Ethereum and Solana, and pursue brand and infrastructure opportunities for a more dynamic Bitcoin ecosystem. The article places Taproot Wizards within broader Ordinals momentum: Ordinals launched in December 2022, inscriptions hit 40.4 million, and Bitcoin was the second-largest blockchain by NFT sales (~$163M in the past 30 days).

Participated · Equity · May 2024

Farcaster is a blockchain-based social protocol that lets developers build apps atop its network; its most popular client is the social network Warpcast. The platform stores user identities on-chain while keeping posts, follows and reactions off-chain, and minimizes on-chain actions to reduce costs and improve performance. Users currently must “pay rent” — roughly $7 worth of ETH for 5,000 posts — or older casts will be deleted as they make new posts. Warpcast reports about 80,000 daily active users and 350,000 signups. The model emphasizes composability (Frames allow apps to be shared as posts) and topic-specific channels, but the need for crypto wallets and the hybrid architecture could limit mainstream adoption. Farcaster’s user and revenue metrics beyond signups/DAUs are not disclosed in the article.

Participated · Seed · Feb 2024

M0 is described in reporting as a universal stablecoin platform building infrastructure for stablecoins. The company announced a $40M Series B to support its product and growth. The round was reported as led by Polychain, Ribbit Capital, and Endeavor Global’s Catalyst Fund. The raise was framed in the article as fresh capital into stablecoin infrastructure amid Ethereum’s on-chain stablecoin supply reaching a $160B all‑time high. The reporting also noted potential product directions, including cross‑chain stablecoin solutions and potential integrations with Ethereum layer‑2s to reduce fees and improve transaction speeds. The article did not provide operating metrics, founding year, or location for M0. M^0 is a decentralized, on-chain protocol paired with off-chain standards and APIs that enables a federation of cryptodollar issuers. The platform lets multiple independent institutions become minters of a single, fungible cryptodollar called M, with minters supplying standardized, high-quality collateral and connecting to M^0 once permissioned by governance. Independent Validators run standard M^0 off-chain software to continuously verify collateral presence and standards adherence. The company says it will use the new funding to expand operations and development efforts. M^0 raised $35M in a Series A and previously raised $22.5M in seed funding led by Pantera Capital in early 2023. The company is based in Zug, Switzerland. M^ZERO is building a DeFi platform that allows crypto institutions to mint and issue decentralized stablecoins backed by U.S. Treasuries. The platform is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2024. Initial target users include crypto‑friendly institutions, funds that invest in DeFi, and market makers. The product emphasizes on-chain issuance of stablecoins with government bond collateral. In April 2023 M^ZERO completed a $22.5 million seed financing, providing capital to support development and go‑to‑market activities. The company has secured backing from several crypto and institutional investors, indicating industry support for its treasury‑backed stablecoin approach.

Led · Series A · Jan 2024

Axiom is a New York startup that uses advanced cryptographic proofs to give smart contract developers access to more data on-chain. Its core product is a ZK-based authenticated data access platform, exemplified by the Axiom V2 mainnet release, which enables on-chain applications to compute over more data at lower cost starting with the entire history of Ethereum. Axiom's approach uses zero-knowledge cryptography instead of consensus to provide authenticated data access. Developers can incorporate past transaction activity trustlessly, permissionlessly compose with other smart contracts, and add modular pieces to on-chain applications without modifying deployed business logic. The company raised $20M in a Series A to grow the team and accelerate development of its core ZK platform. Investors include lead backers Standard Crypto and Paradigm, with participation from Robot Ventures, Ethereal Ventures and numerous builders from across the ZK and crypto ecosystem.

Led · Series B · Feb 2023

Mino Games develops character-driven, collectible free-to-play games and is positioning a new franchise, Dimensionals, as its next major Web3 title. The company plans a multi-platform, multi-channel approach that leverages blockchain to create direct relationships between developers and their community. Leadership emphasizes using Web3 to reshape distribution and reduce platform fees taken by big tech platforms. Mino will use the new funding to accelerate the launch and global rollout of Dimensionals and to scale growth initiatives. The company reports two flagship titles, Cat Game and Dog Game, and says each game has made millions in revenue. Its games have been downloaded 60 million times across more than 90 countries. Total funding now exceeds $25 million.