Crypto Fundraising Jumps 436% as Infrastructure Leads Weekly Deals

Crypto financing deals disclosed $107.1 million for the week ended Oct. 26, a 436% increase from the previous week. Infrastructure drew most of the funding, even as Bitcoin, Ether and the total crypto market value fell during the same period.

Seven infrastructure deals brought in $90.5 million, leaving $16.6 million across the remaining four deals. Infrastructure therefore accounted for about 85% of disclosed financing and raised more than five times the amount in all other categories combined. It also led by deal count, with seven of the 11 transactions.

Meow raised $31.6 million and Mural secured $15 million. Together, the fintech and payment infrastructure projects accounted for $46.6 million, just over half of infrastructure’s total. Both were among the week’s larger financings in fintech and payment infrastructure.

The funding increase came alongside declines in crypto markets. Bitcoin (BTC) fell 2.4% and Ether (ETH) dropped 3.4%, while total crypto market value decreased 2.2%. The Fear & Greed Index fell to 50, a neutral reading.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $442.7 million in net inflows. Spot Ether ETFs moved in the opposite direction, with $225 million in net outflows.

In U.S. stocks, concerns about technology companies’ capital spending and returns weighed on the Nasdaq and S&P 500. The Dow rose as investment shifted toward defensive sectors. Brent crude gained nearly 5% amid Middle East tensions, while gold fell below $4,000 an ounce.