Overview
The cryptocurrency sector demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2022, raising $30.3 billion** across 1,199 funding rounds during the first six months - exceeding the **$30.2 billion secured throughout all of 2021. This data comes from a collaborative report by Messari and Dove Metrics, highlighting sustained investor confidence despite market volatility.
Sector Breakdown (H1 2022)
| Sector | Funding Amount | Key Trends |
|---|---|---|
| CeFi | $10.2B | Exchanges led investments |
| Web3 & NFTs | $8.6B | Game-related NFTs dominated |
| Infrastructure | $7.8B | Scaling solutions grew |
| DeFi | $1.8B | Lowest among sectors |
Centralized Finance Dominance
CeFi captured 34% of total investments, with:
- $3.2B for cryptocurrency exchanges
- Payment services and market makers as secondary focuses
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Web3 & NFT Expansion
NFT gaming projects outperformed other verticals by 4:1, fueling popular titles like:
- Axie Infinity
- Aavegotchi
- Galaxy Fight Club
Institutional Adoption
PwC's 2022 hedge fund report reveals:
- 38% of hedge funds now invest in digital assets (up from 21% in 2021)
- Managers increasingly view crypto as a source of alpha generation
As John Garvey, PwC Global Financial Services Leader, noted:
"Everyone's looking for an edge... To outperform benchmarks, you need unconventional approaches."
Key Takeaways
- Infrastructure and NFT sectors show strongest growth potential
- Institutional participation continues accelerating
- Investment patterns suggest long-term industry confidence
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FAQ Section
Q: How does 2022 funding compare to previous years?
A: H1 2022 ($30.3B) already surpassed full-year 2021 ($30.2B), with nearly equal round counts (1,199 vs 1,313).
Q: Which NFT categories received most funding?
A: Gaming NFTs accounted for 80% of sector investments, significantly outpacing art/collectibles.
Q: Why is DeFi funding comparatively low?
A: Regulatory uncertainty and CeFi's institutional appeal currently divert DeFi investment.
Q: What percentage went to exchanges?
A: Exchanges received 31% of CeFi's $10.2B, totaling ~$3.2B.
Q: How are hedge funds changing their crypto positions?
A: Nearly doubling digital asset exposure year-over-year (21% → 38%).
Q: Which sectors show promise for H2 2022?
A: Infrastructure projects and compliant CeFi solutions are gaining traction.