Report: It is expected that the cryptocurrency industry will usher in a wave of mergers this year, with VC particularly focusing on stablecoins and AI fields

Odaily Planet Daily News: Investment research firm PitchBook stated in a report that in the fourth quarter of 2024, financing in the cryptocurrency sector increased by 13.6% month on month, reaching $2.5 billion, with a total of 351 transactions. Investors have made larger investments in a few start-up companies with skyrocketing valuations, with an average pre investment valuation increase of 70.2% year-on-year for the seed stage. The report states that although the total financing amount in the cryptocurrency sector remains stable at $10 billion in 2024, the number of transactions has decreased. Investors mainly invested in early-stage startups, with a median valuation doubling year-on-year to $52 million, while later stage companies only received 5% of all financing rounds. PitchBook describes 2024 as a year of "increasing investor selectivity" and expects integration between infrastructure providers, exchanges, and custody companies this year, with VC particularly keen on stablecoins and artificial intelligence.