In a bold signal of shifting priorities, Sequoia Capital — one of the world’s most influential venture capital firms — briefly updated its Twitter bio to read: "From idea to execution, we help bold founders build legendary DAOs." Though the message was later reverted, it sent shockwaves across the tech and blockchain communities. This small change wasn’t just a marketing stunt — it was a declaration of intent.
The term DAO, or Decentralized Autonomous Organization, represents a new frontier in organizational structure, powered by blockchain technology. Unlike traditional companies, DAOs operate without centralized leadership, governed instead by smart contracts and community voting. By referencing DAOs directly, Sequoia signaled that it’s no longer just observing the crypto revolution — it’s actively participating in shaping it.
A Strategic Pivot: From Internet Giants to Blockchain Pioneers
For decades, Sequoia built its legacy by backing internet-era titans like Google, Apple, and Airbnb. In China, Sequoia China earned a reputation for investing in nearly half of the country’s internet unicorns, including Meituan and Pinduoduo. But recent moves suggest a strategic rebalancing.
Throughout 2025, Sequoia Capital, along with its regional arms — Sequoia Capital, Sequoia China, and Sequoia India — has significantly reduced stakes in major internet platforms while increasing investments in blockchain, crypto, NFTs, and Web3 infrastructure. According to public disclosures, the firm made at least 33 known investments in blockchain-related startups this year alone.
This isn’t a sudden shift. Sequoia has been quietly building its presence in the space for years. But with competitors like a16z and Paradigm raising multi-billion-dollar crypto-dedicated funds, the pressure is on. The race is no longer about dipping toes in the water — it’s about leading the next wave of digital innovation.
👉 Discover how top investors are navigating the Web3 revolution today.
Mapping Sequoia’s 2025 Crypto Investment Portfolio
Major Global Investments by Sequoia Capital
Sequoia has placed strategic bets across key sectors within the blockchain ecosystem:
- CertiK: A leading blockchain security firm that raised $80 million in a Series B2 round led by Sequoia in November.
- Fireblocks: A digital asset custody platform valued at $8 billion after raising $400 million in December, with Sequoia as a major investor.
- StarkWare: An Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution that secured $50 million in funding, led by Sequoia.
- FTX: The now-prominent crypto exchange raised over $900 million across multiple rounds in 2025, with Sequoia participating alongside SoftBank and Tiger Global.
- Parallel Finance: A Polkadot-based DeFi protocol that raised $25 million at a $250 million valuation, co-led by Sequoia and Founders Fund.
These investments reflect a clear focus on security, scalability, and decentralized finance (DeFi) — foundational layers for a robust Web3 economy.
Regional Focus: Sequoia China’s Selective Plays
While less aggressive than its global counterpart, Sequoia China has made targeted moves:
- Invested in Animoca Brands, a leader in NFT gaming and open metaverse development.
- Backed e签宝 (e-Signature), a blockchain-integrated e-signature platform, in a $120 million Series E round.
- Became a strategic partner of Dragonfly Capital, one of Asia’s most active crypto-focused funds.
These choices indicate an interest in blending traditional fintech with blockchain innovation, particularly in digital identity and asset tokenization.
Sequoia India: Fueling South Asia’s Crypto Boom
In India and Southeast Asia, where crypto adoption is growing rapidly despite regulatory uncertainty, Sequoia India has been especially active:
- Participated in Polygon’s latest funding round, reinforcing confidence in Ethereum scaling solutions.
- Led early-stage investments in Beta Finance and Coinshift, both focused on DeFi user experience.
- Joined the $260 million raise by local crypto exchange CoinSwitch Kuber, showing continued faith in retail crypto access points.
This regional strategy highlights an understanding that mass blockchain adoption will likely emerge from emerging markets first.
Why DAOs Matter: The Future of Organizational Design
The fleeting mention of DAOs in Sequoia’s bio was more than symbolic. It reflects a deeper belief: that the future of organizations lies beyond traditional corporate hierarchies.
DAOs enable global collaboration without borders, allowing contributors to earn tokens based on participation rather than payroll. Projects like MakerDAO, Aragon, and Friends With Benefits have already demonstrated their potential.
By positioning itself as a builder of DAOs, Sequoia is aligning with a vision of decentralized governance, community ownership, and open-source innovation — principles at the heart of Web3.
👉 See how decentralized platforms are redefining ownership and value creation.
Competitive Landscape: Keeping Pace in a Fast-Moving Space
Sequoia isn’t alone. Rivals are moving fast:
- a16z raised over $2.2 billion for its crypto fund.
- Paradigm, co-founded by former Sequoia partner Matt Huang, launched a $2.5 billion fund.
- Both have invested in core protocols like Uniswap, Compound, and OpenSea, platforms where Sequoia was initially absent.
This competitive pressure explains Sequoia’s increased visibility — from auctioning its 2005 YouTube investment memo as an NFT (which sold for over $800,000) to publicly advocating for blockchain’s transformative potential.
As one industry analyst noted: "In crypto, brand reputation from the web2 era doesn’t guarantee success. You need deep technical understanding and community trust."
FAQs: Your Questions About Sequoia and Crypto Investing
Q: Did Sequoia really change its mission to support DAOs?
A: Yes — temporarily. The firm updated its Twitter bio to emphasize DAO support but later reverted it. However, its investment actions confirm ongoing commitment to decentralized technologies.
Q: How many crypto projects has Sequoia invested in during 2025?
A: At least 33 publicly disclosed deals across its global entities — including 21 by Sequoia Capital, 9 by Sequoia India, and 3 by Sequoia China.
Q: Is Sequoia abandoning traditional tech investments?
A: Not entirely. It continues to back high-growth tech firms but is reallocating capital toward blockchain, AI-blockchain convergence, and digital asset infrastructure.
Q: What types of crypto startups does Sequoia prefer?
A: Early-stage ventures in security (e.g., CertiK), scalability (e.g., StarkWare), DeFi (e.g., Strips Finance), and NFT/gaming ecosystems (e.g., Animoca Brands).
Q: Why is Web3 important for venture capital?
A: Web3 introduces new models of ownership, monetization, and user engagement. Protocols can grow faster with built-in token incentives, creating exponential network effects.
Q: Can traditional VCs succeed in decentralized ecosystems?
A: Only if they adapt. Success requires technical fluency, community engagement, and long-term thinking — qualities Sequoia is actively cultivating.
👉 Explore how institutional investors are adapting to decentralized ecosystems.
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead
Whether it's through DAOs, DeFi protocols, or NFT-powered communities, the next decade of innovation will be built on decentralization. For a firm like Sequoia — known for spotting paradigm shifts early — this transition is both natural and necessary.
Its journey into crypto is still evolving. But one thing is clear: when a titan like Sequoia starts rewriting its own narrative, the world should pay attention.
The future isn’t just digital — it’s decentralized.