Mike Dudas, experienced investor in the crypto industry, discusses the painfully slow pace of dealmaking in the crypto venture market. He attributes the slowdown to dwindling real users and unrealistic founder expectations. However, he sees hope in the uptick of developer activity, promising better experiences and products for future crypto users.
The crypto venture market is currently experiencing the slowest pace of dealmaking ever seen, attributed to dwindling real users and unrealistic founder expectations.
Announcements of funding rounds in the crypto market are being delayed, sometimes up to a year later, as companies wait for market conditions to improve and generate more progress.
Deep dives
Slow Pace of Deal Making in the Crypto Venture Market
The podcast episode discusses the current slow pace of deal making in the crypto venture market. According to the speaker, it is the slowest pace of deal making they have ever seen, even slower than previous months. They mention that many rounds done in the current market don't make economic sense, with companies raising funds without significant progress. The speaker also highlights that there has been a significant amount of pivoting out of crypto by some companies. Overall, the episode reflects on the challenges faced by founders in the current slower market environment.
Delayed Announcements and Marketing Mechanisms
The episode touches upon the delayed announcements of funding rounds in the crypto market. It is noted that announcements are being made much later than when the rounds were actually raised, sometimes up to a year later. The reasons behind the delays are attributed to companies waiting for the market to turn and to have more progress before announcing their rounds. Additionally, the podcast discusses how some companies strategically utilize their funding round announcements as marketing mechanisms to generate interest for future rounds. However, it is acknowledged that the public announcements do not fully reflect the current market conditions or the pace of deal making.
Challenges and Considerations in Crypto Investing
The episode explores the challenges and considerations in crypto investing, particularly in terms of token investments. The speaker highlights that while tokens are an integral part of the crypto ecosystem, many rounds don't make economic sense. Companies often raise funds without significant progress or solid business models in place. In this slower market, founder expectations are still anchored in prices from previous years, leading to potential mismatches in valuation. The episode emphasizes the importance of careful investment choices and recommends seeking co-investors with extensive experience and understanding of the crypto ecosystem.
The Evolution of NFT Marketplaces
The episode delves into the current state of NFT marketplaces and the challenges they are facing. The speaker acknowledges the slowdown in on-chain liquidity and the declining activity in NFT trading. However, they suggest that a shift in the market is necessary, with a focus on sustainable growth and utility beyond speculation. Looking toward the future, the episode suggests that NFT marketplaces need to adapt their business models and explore different verticals such as gaming and specialized applications. Additionally, the importance of customer acquisition costs, retention rates, and innovative approaches to product development and differentiation are discussed as key factors for success in the evolving NFT market.
Mike Dudas has over a decade of experience investing in the crypto industry and is the managing partner at the VC firm 6th Man Ventures.
In this episode, Dudas examines the state of the crypto venture market, which he claims is currently stuck in "the slowest pace of dealmaking" he has ever seen.
According to Dudas, two of the main contributors to slowing crypto VC activity are the dwindling number of real users for blockchain based products, plus founder expectations that are still anchored to unrealistic bull market valuations from days past.
However, despite slowing user growth and lackluster price action, Dudas points to the uptick in developer activity as a beacon of hope that promises better experiences and products to the next wave of new crypto users.
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