Crypto Startups Secure Over $143M This Past Week With Focus on Infrastructure and AI
The global crypto industry recorded more than $143 million in fresh funding between February 16 and February 22, 2026, spread across 10 publicly disclosed deals.
Key Takeaways
- The crypto sector raised over $143 million across 10 disclosed deals between February 16–22, 2026.
- Novig dominated the week with a $75 million Series B round, accounting for more than half of total capital raised.
- Wallet and fintech infrastructure remained attractive, with Kresus ($13M) and multiple payments/neobank projects securing capital.
- AI-linked crypto ventures continued to gain traction, with Unicity and PlutonAI closing seed rounds.
The week was led by a major $75 million Series B round for sports-focused prediction platform Novig, signaling that investors are increasingly backing established teams with clear revenue models.
Data compiled by CoinMarketCap Research shows a clear concentration of capital in more mature projects, suggesting a cautious but selective environment. While early-stage startups continue to attract seed funding, the bulk of capital last week flowed toward companies operating at scale or building infrastructure with defined user bases.
Novig Secures $75 Million in Series B
Novig captured the largest round of the week with a $75 million Series B raise, positioning it at the forefront of blockchain-powered sports betting and prediction markets. The round was led by Pantera Capital, reinforcing the view that institutional investors remain interested in platforms bridging crypto rails with mainstream consumer use cases.
Kresus Labs followed with a $13 million strategic round. The company focuses on mobile wallet infrastructure, an area seen as critical for onboarding the next wave of users into digital assets. The investment highlights continued confidence in user-experience-driven crypto applications.
Lending, AI, and DeFi Attract Steady Interest
NEWITY raised $11 million in a strategic round aimed at expanding its lending operations. Meanwhile, Unicity secured $3 million in seed funding to develop artificial intelligence-driven agents, reflecting the growing overlap between AI and blockchain applications.
PlutonAI added $2.7 million in seed capital to advance its DeFi-focused AI tools, while prediction market platform PRED raised $2.5 million in its own seed round.
Payments and neobank-focused projects also featured prominently. Rizon raised $2 million in a pre-seed round, while Endl secured $1.5 million to expand its digital payments infrastructure. Fireplace, which combines prediction markets with trading strategies, closed a $1.5 million pre-seed raise.
Investor Sentiment Points to Selective Optimism
Although total funding exceeded $143 million, the distribution of capital underscores a shift toward disciplined allocation. Larger checks are being written for companies with proven traction, while smaller seed rounds continue to support experimentation in AI, DeFi, and fintech verticals.
The week’s fundraising activity suggests that capital is still available for crypto ventures, but investors are prioritizing sustainable business models and infrastructure plays over speculative concepts. As 2026 unfolds, this pattern may define how the next cycle of innovation is financed.
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Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
