Dragonfly Capital closes $650 million crypto fund amid downturn

Crypto venture firm Dragonfly Capital has raised $650 million for its fourth fund, even as the cryptocurrency market grapples with declining prices and waning investor interest. The new fund targets early-stage investments in a sector facing reduced deal activity. Co-founder Haseeb Qureshi highlighted the firm's candid approach as a key strength.

Dragonfly Capital, a prominent crypto venture capital firm, announced the closure of its fourth fund totaling $650 million. This comes at a time when the broader cryptocurrency market is experiencing a severe downturn, marked by falling token prices and diminished investor enthusiasm.

The firm's previous fund, its third, successfully deployed $500 million into various startups, including Polymarket, Rain, and Ethena. The latest $650 million vehicle is intended to support continued early-stage investments. According to reports, the crypto venture sector is currently slowing, with declining deal activity and difficulties in securing additional capital from investors.

Haseeb Qureshi, co-founder of Dragonfly, commented on the firm's strategy: “We talk out loud and we say what we think. In a space that is just completely flooded with bulls**t and with fakers and self-promoters, I think that has actually been a superpower.”

Dragonfly's portfolio includes investments in Layer 1 blockchain projects such as Avalanche, financial services companies like Amber Group, and other cryptocurrency initiatives. The firm has navigated multiple market challenges, including the collapse of the Terra Luna ecosystem, the bankruptcy of FTX, and relocation from China following a local crackdown on crypto activities.

Additionally, Dragonfly faced regulatory attention from the U.S. Department of Justice. In July 2025, during the trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm—who was convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmission business—prosecutor Nathan Rehn informed District Judge Katherine Polk Failla that charges were under consideration against Dragonfly employees, including general partner Tom Schmidt, related to a 2020 investment in Tornado Cash. The firm has cooperated with the investigation since 2023, and Qureshi stated that they would defend themselves if charges were filed. Ultimately, the Justice Department did not pursue charges against Schmidt.

Relaterte artikler

Realistic depiction of panicked traders watching Bitcoin and Ethereum prices crash to multi-month lows amid crypto sell-off and market fears, with U.S. Congress funding bill in background.
Bilde generert av AI

Bitcoin and Ethereum deepen crypto sell-off on February 3 amid ongoing market fears

Rapportert av AI Bilde generert av AI

Continuing the downturn from late January, the cryptocurrency market plunged further on February 3, 2026, with Bitcoin hitting $72,800—its lowest since before the 2024 U.S. election—and Ethereum dropping sharply. The sell-off, fueled by broader stock weakness and liquidity concerns, eased slightly after the U.S. House passed a funding bill to end the partial government shutdown. Experts caution of more declines but spot stabilization signals.

Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at crypto venture firm Dragonfly, argues that comparisons between AI's rapid adoption and crypto's trajectory overlook key differences in their products. In an interview at NEARCON 2026, he dismissed concerns that capital is permanently moving away from crypto, calling the current contraction a necessary market correction. Qureshi emphasized crypto's strong fundamentals, including steady stablecoin growth.

Rapportert av AI

Venture capitalists in the crypto sector report that despite a $2 trillion industry wipeout, startup funding continues, albeit at reduced levels. This week, crypto firms secured $18.5 million, the lowest since the New Year break. Investors maintain that blockchain fundamentals remain strong.

Chicago-based crypto lender BlockFills has suspended client deposits and withdrawals following approximately $75 million in losses from its lending operations. CEO Nicholas Hammer stepped down in February 2026, with Joseph Perry appointed as interim CEO. The firm is now seeking a buyer amid a liquidity crisis.

Rapportert av AI

Coinbase announced a $667 million net loss for the fourth quarter of 2025, marking its first quarterly deficit since 2023. The loss stemmed primarily from non-cash write-downs on its cryptocurrency holdings and strategic investments, despite record highs in trading volume and market share. Total revenue fell 21.6% year-over-year to $1.78 billion, missing analyst expectations.

Federal agents have arrested Christopher Alexander Delgado, CEO of Goliath Ventures, on charges of wire fraud and money laundering related to a $328 million cryptocurrency investment fraud. Authorities describe the operation as a classic Ponzi scheme that promised returns from liquidity pools but paid earlier investors with funds from new ones. Delgado was released on $1 million bond after his arrest in Orlando.

Rapportert av AI

A cryptocurrency startup founded by the Trump family received a $500 million investment from an Emirati royal's firm just before Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration. The deal, involving Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has raised questions about conflicts of interest amid the president's foreign policy decisions. Despite its scale, the arrangement has drawn limited political scrutiny.

 

 

 

Dette nettstedet bruker informasjonskapsler

Vi bruker informasjonskapsler for analyse for å forbedre nettstedet vårt. Les vår personvernerklæring for mer informasjon.
Avvis