Blockchain Industry Faces Skepticism Over New Layer 1 Chains
The blockchain industry faces skepticism regarding new layer 1 (L1) chains. Recent fundraising efforts illustrate this trend:
- Camp Network raised $30 million at a $400 million valuation.
- Unto secured $14.4 million with a valuation of $140 million.
- Miden raised $25 million (valuation undisclosed).
Concerns about "too many chains" persist, fueled by declining valuations for L1s. For instance, Monad's rumored valuation was around $1 billion, down from previous highs seen in projects like Avalanche and Flow.
Investors are questioning the sustainability of the so-called L1 premium as applications are now generating more revenue than underlying protocols on most chains. The market shows a downward trend in total funding for blockchains, indicating a correction in private markets.
Venture capital interest appears to have shifted away from consumer applications, despite their growing revenues compared to infrastructure projects. This reflects a change in investor strategy, focusing more on pre-launch infrastructures rather than immediate feedback loops associated with applications.
The landscape indicates that while L1 valuations compress, there may be future opportunities for application funding as market dynamics evolve.