Placeholder Ventures

Tally is a frontend for DAOs running on Ethereum and other EVM blockchains. Tally gives users real power in their decentralized organizations. On Tally, users can delegate voting power, create or pass proposals to spend DAO funds, manage a protocol, and upgrade smart contracts—all onchain.

Squads is a developer of a decentralized program that enables the establishment of better and easier decentralized autonomous groups. The company's application combines all of the key components of a decentralized autonomous organization, such as deployment, treasury, vault management, on-chain voting, and chat, into a single portal with an easy-to-use interface, allowing users to streamline daily operations using a decentralized autonomous organization structure.

Movement Labs is a modular framework platform that builds and deploys move-based blockchains and applications in distributed settings. Its platform offers a composable and horizontally scalable network that provides unparalleled smart contract security and asset portability to help users solve the cold start problem with unprecedented interoperability.

NFTfi is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that specializes in NFT collateralized loans. It allows NFT holders to leverage their digital assets as collateral to secure cryptocurrency loans from lenders. When an NFT holder accepts a loan offer, the NFT is placed in a secure escrow smart contract while the corresponding cryptocurrency, such as wETH, DAI, or USDC, is transferred directly to the borrower's wallet. This innovative platform provides liquidity to NFT owners, enabling them to access cash without the need to sell their valuable digital assets. By utilizing a valuation approach similar to that of traditional art financing, NFTfi helps users determine the worth of their NFTs for loan purposes.

Eclipse is building Ethereum's first Solana Virtual Machine Layer 2. While other L2 networks on Ethereum focus on providing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, Eclipse leans into performance improvements developed by the Solana Layer 1 and adds additional verification features to deploy the blockchain as a rollup. The Eclipse team includes veterans from dYdX, Uniswap, Citadel, and Airbnb. Eclipse Labs is backed by top investors including Polychain, Placeholder, and DBA.

Polymer Labs is building the fabric of web3. We're working on an IBC based multi-cluster routing/roll-up protocol providing E2E IBC connectivity across ecosystems.

Pocket Network develops decentralized infrastructure for blockchain application development. Its platform enables users to connect applications to any blockchain via a coordinating node, streamlining the process of building and deploying blockchain apps.

Saga.xyz gives visionaries the high-end tools and support they need to turn their blockchain dreams into reality.

Squads is a developer of a decentralized program that enables the establishment of better and easier decentralized autonomous groups. The company's application combines all of the key components of a decentralized autonomous organization, such as deployment, treasury, vault management, on-chain voting, and chat, into a single portal with an easy-to-use interface, allowing users to streamline daily operations using a decentralized autonomous organization structure.

Drip Labs is a technology company that facilitates the creation, distribution, and monetization of digital content, such as art, music, and videos, on a Web3 content distribution network. It empowers creators by simplifying the process of minting, selling, and managing digital assets, while providing fans with unique ways to support and engage with their favorite artists.

Infinity Exchange develops an institutional lending and borrowing platform designed to facilitate efficient digital asset transactions. Its platform offers access via smart contract, web, and API, providing enterprise-grade financial market infrastructure for digital assets.

Across is a cross-chain bridge secured by UMA's optimistic oracle for L2s and rollups. It also optimized for capital efficiency with a single liquidity pool, a competitive relayer landscape, and a no-slippage fee model.

Matter Labs designs and develops blockchain technology that uses zero-knowledge proofs to scale Ethereum and improve privacy, removing interaction obstacles between untrusted parties. The company builds a scaling decentralized application that provides succinctly verifiable computation, enabling businesses and others to prove integrity without disclosing sensitive data. It aims to accelerate public blockchain adoption by offering an open, scalable alternative to existing financial systems. Founded in 2018, it has been associated with Berlin, Germany, and is based in the Cayman Islands.

Futureswap is a company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing a decentralized futures exchange platform utilizing blockchain technology. The platform operates on a non-custodial basis, enabling users to engage in the trading of crypto futures contracts. Futureswap employs an automated market-making (AMM) algorithm to facilitate these transactions, enhancing liquidity and efficiency in the trading process. With a focus on decentralized finance, Futureswap aims to provide a secure and user-friendly environment for trading perpetual futures in the cryptocurrency market.

Futureswap is a company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing a decentralized futures exchange platform utilizing blockchain technology. The platform operates on a non-custodial basis, enabling users to engage in the trading of crypto futures contracts. Futureswap employs an automated market-making (AMM) algorithm to facilitate these transactions, enhancing liquidity and efficiency in the trading process. With a focus on decentralized finance, Futureswap aims to provide a secure and user-friendly environment for trading perpetual futures in the cryptocurrency market.

Creating better experiences for aspiring asset managers & their investors by providing easy access to new superior financial infrastructure

Orca is a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange built on the Solana blockchain, facilitating instant token swaps with minimal transaction fees. The platform is designed to handle thousands of transactions per second, ensuring low latency and capital-efficient trading. Users can exchange tokens while receiving fair pricing and have the option to provide liquidity to trading pools, allowing them to earn a share of the trading fees generated on the platform.

DELV is a company focused on advancing the safe adoption of decentralized financial systems by developing a crypto-asset trading platform. This platform facilitates the buying and selling of yield and principal tokens, which do not require a minimum investment. By integrating various protocols, DELV aims to create innovative infrastructure that supports users in growing their savings at a fixed rate, enhancing capital efficiency. Through its research-backed and open-source approach, the company seeks to play a pivotal role in ushering in a new financial system.

Async Art, Inc. operates an innovative online platform that connects artists and collectors in the realm of programmable art. Founded in 2019 and based in Fort Bragg, California, Async Art utilizes the Ethereum blockchain to facilitate the creation, collection, and trading of unique digital artworks. The platform allows users to own distinct components of a piece, referred to as "Layers," which interact with a central "Master" work. This structure enables multiple owners to independently modify their respective layers within parameters set by the artist, fostering a collaborative and dynamic art experience. For example, one user may control the sky in a landscape painting, while another controls a figure, and an AI adjusts elements based on external factors such as market trends. This approach aims to redefine the art world by integrating technology and user participation in the creative process.

Nexus Mutual Limited is a London-based company that operates a decentralized insurance platform utilizing blockchain technology, specifically the Ethereum public blockchain. Founded in 2017, it offers a novel alternative to traditional insurance by enabling users to become members and collectively share insurance risks without the involvement of conventional insurance companies. Members can purchase coverage, and their decisions are governed by smart contracts, which ensure transparency and enforceability. Initially, Nexus Mutual launched with a product focusing on earthquake coverage, allowing participants to manage and mitigate risks collaboratively. The platform aims to recreate traditional mutual insurance models on a broader scale, providing an innovative approach to risk management in the insurance industry.

Matter Labs designs and develops blockchain technology that uses zero-knowledge proofs to scale Ethereum and improve privacy, removing interaction obstacles between untrusted parties. The company builds a scaling decentralized application that provides succinctly verifiable computation, enabling businesses and others to prove integrity without disclosing sensitive data. It aims to accelerate public blockchain adoption by offering an open, scalable alternative to existing financial systems. Founded in 2018, it has been associated with Berlin, Germany, and is based in the Cayman Islands.

API3 develops a decentralized infrastructure for connecting blockchain applications to off-chain data providers. Its platform, API3, aggregates data from first-party oracles operated by premier API providers, enabling seamless and secure data exchange without intermediaries.

Magic is a technology company that specializes in password-less authentication solutions, providing an alternative login method that enhances security and user experience. Its innovative technology employs a plug-and-play kit combined with blockchain infrastructure, enabling developers to easily integrate customizable password-less login features into their applications. With just a few lines of code, developers can implement this scalable solution, allowing users to access services without traditional passwords, thus streamlining the login process and reducing security risks associated with password management.

Matter Labs designs and develops blockchain technology that uses zero-knowledge proofs to scale Ethereum and improve privacy, removing interaction obstacles between untrusted parties. The company builds a scaling decentralized application that provides succinctly verifiable computation, enabling businesses and others to prove integrity without disclosing sensitive data. It aims to accelerate public blockchain adoption by offering an open, scalable alternative to existing financial systems. Founded in 2018, it has been associated with Berlin, Germany, and is based in the Cayman Islands.

UMA is a decentralized platform aiming to facilitate global market access for financial contracts. It functions as an oracle, recording verifiable truths or data onto blockchain technology. The platform encourages dispute-based validation and maintains transparency through decentralized governance.

Enzyme is a decentralized asset management infrastructure built on ethereum. They offer an autonomous system that has both its frontend and its backend hosted and executed on decentralized platforms, thereby replacing a large proportion of the middlemen with smart contracts and enabling asset managers to perform the same tasks at a fraction of the cost and with higher transparency, greater security, and a reduced requirement for trust.

Risk Labs is the foundation and core team behind the Across and UMA Protocols.

Decred is a cryptocurrency that emphasizes community involvement, open governance, and sustainable development. It employs a hybrid mining system that combines proof-of-work and proof-of-stake mechanisms, which helps prevent centralization and ensures that no small group can control transaction processes or alter the currency without community consensus. Decred aims to facilitate free and fair trade in the cryptocurrency space while maintaining the integrity of its transactions through a secure blockchain technology. The currency unit is referred to as a decred. By prioritizing decentralized governance, Decred seeks to create a more inclusive and democratic financial ecosystem.

OpenZeppelin specializes in developing tools and conducting security audits for distributed systems operating on blockchain networks. They are renowned for their Open Source library, OpenZeppelin Contracts, which powers thousands of public projects and is maintained by a global community of contributors. The company also offers transaction APIs, monitoring tools, and educational resources to support developers building secure decentralized applications across multiple networks.

0x is an open protocol facilitating peer-to-peer token exchange on the Ethereum blockchain.

The Ethereum Foundation, through its subsidiary Ethereum Switzerland GmbH, operates a decentralized platform that enables developers to create and publish distributed applications. Founded in 2014 and based in Baar, Switzerland, the foundation provides essential tools and services, including the Ethereum Wallet, which allows users to securely hold ether and other crypto-assets, as well as interact with smart contracts. The platform supports a variety of applications, such as crowdfunding, decentralized autonomous organizations, and the creation of new cryptocurrencies. By leveraging the principles of decentralized consensus, Ethereum facilitates the trading and management of diverse assets, including voting systems, financial exchanges, and intellectual property. The Ethereum Foundation is dedicated to promoting and supporting the development of the Ethereum ecosystem, ensuring its resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Agoric is a framework facilitating secure smart contract development in JavaScript. It aims to enable widespread global cooperation and new digital asset businesses by providing safer tools for smart contract creation. Agoric's team comprises experienced technologists, economists, and business leaders, collaborating with notable projects like Cosmos.