While breezy bitcoin has bounced back, leaping by about 55% this year, investments in crypto startups have dropped for the fifth straight quarter. VC crypto bets totaled just under $2.3 billion in April-July this year, the lowest quarterly level for over three years, according to data firm PitchBook. In the first half of 2023, investments were down by almost three-quarters from a year ago to $5 billion. Those that are raising capital now are probably doing it because they have to," said Adam Reeds, CEO of Toronto-based crypto finance company Ledn. VC crypto investments have correlated with crypto asset prices with a lag of roughly three to six months, according to PitchBook, and if current trends continue, VC investment would rise during the second half of 2023.

---

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Tal Elyashiv, Crypto, Cameron Peake, Adam Reeds, Alyse Killeen, Medha Singh, Lisa Pauline Mattackal, Tom Wilson, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, Arrows Capital, Restive Ventures, LayerZero, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Toronto, Bengaluru