(Bigstock Photo)

Crypto. Blockchain. Web3. These are some of the hottest trends in tech.

Many longtime techies and entrepreneurs are jumping in, betting on what could be the next frontier of computing. Others are more cautious, particularly given the volatility of digital currencies and nascent technologies.

The Seattle region is home to several budding startups developing a bevy of products and services related to crypto (digital currency), blockchain (distributed ledger-based technology), and Web3 (blockchain-based internet). We reached out to industry leaders and compiled the list below; scroll down to read more about the companies.

Some say Seattle — given its clout as a tech hub and cloud computing mecca — should play a bigger role in this burgeoning new world, especially compared to cities such as Miami where lawmakers are trying to make easier for crypto and blockchain startups to succeed.

“Seattle entrepreneurs start significantly disadvantaged to those operating in other jurisdictions,” said Jesse Proudman, a veteran Seattle entrepreneur and CEO of Makara, which recently announced its acquisition to Betterment.

There is some regulatory progress. Last year Washington state launched a new Center for FinTech Information to gather licensing guidelines and regulations in one place.

Simon Yu, co-founder and CEO at Seattle crypto startup StormX, pointed to a lack of investor interest. He said local venture capitalists tend to prefer software companies and avoid high-risk bets.

“I’ve seen many good founders leaving this city because they couldn’t get the funding they needed,” Yu said. 

Crypto, the most visible example of blockchain tech, remains a wild west, highlighted again over the past few weeks as prices of Bitcoin and other digital currencies have fallen. But industry watchers are hopeful.

“This is just the beginning,” said Arry Yu, chair of the Washington Technology Industry Association’s Cascadia Blockchain Council. “There’s so much opportunity to reimagine a decentralized, accessible, and empowering future for all people that’s built with a global-first mindset and digitally-native technology,”

Read on to learn about startups based in the Seattle area building crypto, blockchain, and Web3-related technologies. This is an active list, and we know there are more startups in the region. Email us at tips@geekwire.com with suggestions to add a company. 

ArcBlock

(ArcBlock Image)

Founded: 2017

What they do: Blockchain system for building decentralized apps

CEO: Robert Mao, previously worked for Microsoft Research and launched three startups

Related coverage: ‘AWS for blockchain’: ArcBlock aims to build, manage and deploy decentralized apps

Bittrex

(Bittrex Image)

Founded: 2014

What they do: Crypto trading platform

CEO: Richie Lai, previously worked for Microsoft and Amazon

Coinme

(Coinme Image)

Founded: 2014

What they do: Crypto cash network

CEO: Neil Bergquist, previously worked for Point B and SURF Incubator

Related coverage: Coinme, a Seattle startup that is ‘crypto-enabling’ legacy financial services, raises $10M

CypherD

Founded: 2021

What they do: Crypto wallet and card

CEO: Kuberan Marimuthu, previously worked for Amazon and Coinbase

Dragonchain

(Dragonchain Image)

Founded: 2014

What they do: Hybrid blockchain platform for enterprise

CEO: Onno Pelser, previously worked for Mindscape

Luxor

(Luxor Image)

Founded: 2018

What they do: Crypto mining

CEO: Nick Hansen, previously worked for Salesforce and LGS Innovations

Irreverent Labs

(Irreverent Labs Image)

Founded: 2021

What they do: Blockchain-based gaming

CEO: Rahul Sood, previously launched Unikrn and Microsoft Ventures

Native Coin

(Native Coin Image)

Founded: 2020

What they do: Cryptocurrency used by Native American Tribes

CEO: Jeff Johnson

Nori

(Nori Image)

Founded: 2017

What they do: Carbon removal marketplace

CEO: Paul Gambill, previously worked for Deloitte and founded two startups

Related coverage: Toyota invests in Nori, a carbon removal startup trying to help reverse climate change

Seashell

(Seashell Image)

Founded: 2021

What they do: Digital asset investment fund

CEO: Daryl Hok, previously worked for CetriK and FiscalNote

Related coverage: Mark Cuban, Robinhood CEO, Coinbase Ventures among investors in new Seattle fintech startup

Stably

(Stably Image)

Founded: 2018

What they do: Stablecoin-as-a-service

CEO: Kory Hoang, previously worked for PitchBook

Related coverage: Cryptocurrency startup Stably raises more cash, eyes growth amid pandemic

Strix Leviathan

(Strix Image)

Founded: 2018

What they do: Crypto hedge fund

CEO: Sadie Raney, previously worked for IBM

Related coverage: Cryptocurrency startup Strix Leviathan raises $1.6M from Joe Montana, Doug Baldwin, VC firms

StormX

The Portland Trail Blazers’ StormX jersey patch. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Ely / Trail Blazers)

Founded: 2014

What they do: Crypto cashback app

CEO: Simon Yu, previously worked at KeyBank and ran a food truck

Related coverage: After landing NBA jersey sponsorship deal, crypto startup StormX raises $9M

TaxBit

(TaxBit Photo)

Founded: 2018

What they do: Digital assets tax and accounting

CEO: Austin Woodward, previously worked at Qualtrics

Related coverage: Cryptocurrency startup TaxBit, which just opened a new HQ in Seattle, lands $130M at $1.33B valuation

TerraChain

(Terra Chain Image)

Founded: 2021

What they do: Digital securities management platform

CEO: Dominic Niolu, previously worked at Intellectual Ventures

Transparent Systems

Founded: 2018

What they do: B2B payment network

CEO: Alex Fowler, previously worked at Mozilla and Blockstream

Related coverage: Transparent Systems exits stealth mode with $22M in funding for blockchain-enabled instant payments

WhyGrene

(Why Grene Image)

Founded: 2017

What they do: Blockchain-based energy exchange

CEO: Patrick Stevan Phelps, previously worked for Wyzant

Zenledger

(ZenLedger Photo)

Founded: 2021

What they do: Crypto tax and accounting

CEO: Patrick Larsen, previously worked for Profitics and Amazon

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