Crypto is no longer about vibes and vague promises. In 2025, it is about fixing real world problems with real rules in place. Top European venture capitalists are not just throwing money around anymore, they are paying attention to startups actually doing the work.
According to Sifted’s roundup, here are 8 crypto startups that caught the eye of Venture Capitalist [VCs]. Not because they are in their portfolios, but because they are solving problems worth watching.
Peaq (Germany)
peaq.network
Peaq is building something called a “machine economy.” That basically means robots, cars, and smart devices can own stuff and pay for services on their own using blockchain. It’s all about creating a network where machines can operate and trade like humans (but without the bad moods).
Exo Labs (UK)
exolabs.xyz
Exo wants your idle MacBook to help power the internet. They are creating a decentralized cloud by collecting unused computing power from devices and offering it to companies who need it like a crowdsourced version of AWS. It is cheaper, greener, and more fun to explain at parties
Anera labs (UK)
aneralabs.xyz
They are turning GPU hours (the fuel that powers AI) into tradable assets. So instead of just buying crypto, you could one day invest in computing power like buying hours of AI brain-time. Welcome to Wall Street, but nerdier.
Metal Gear (France)
metalgear.io
Sending money across countries still sucks. Metal Gear is using stable coins to make international transfers faster and cheaper especially for businesses. And on the bonus side, they are one of the first to get the EU’s MiCA license, meaning they are playing by the new rules. (More on MiCA)
Tranched (UK)
tranched.xyz
Banks often package loans like mortgages into bundles and sell shares of them. A process called securitization. Tranched automates this using blockchain, making the whole deal faster and more transparent. It may not grab headlines, but it is shaking up a trillion dollar industry.
Atlas (Austria)
atlas.money
Running payroll across countries? Nightmare. Atlas is making international business payments smooth and regulation friendly. Less time chasing tax laws, more time growing your company.
Sling (Germany)
sling.cash
Web3 teams deal with crypto in a lot of ways. Sling helps them handle payments legally, clearly, and with better UX than most traditional banks. It is almost like Stripe, only as though Stripe was born on the blockchain.
Compass labs (UK)
compasslabs.ai
Thinking of investing in DeFi? Compass lets you test drive your strategies first. It’s like a crypto sandbox where you can run simulations before putting your money on the line. A safe space for bold ideas.
So why are these crypto Startups getting noticed?
- The EU’s MiCA law is now live, meaning crypto companies finally have real guidelines to follow. EU official source
- Stablecoins are heating up in fintech. Stripe even acquired Bridge in 2024.
- VCs are backing infrastructure, not hype from cloud computing to compliance tools.
Crypto in 2025? It is less “get rich quick” and more “build something that actually works.”
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