Areta Insights June'24

Discover In-Depth Analyses and Trends in the Crypto and Web3 Sectors

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Areta is a crypto-native investment bank, composed of former Blackstone and JPM professionals advising on projects across the crypto/web3 space on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), financings and token launches. We have successfully completed over 30 strategic transactions for leading players in the space such as Uniswap, Arbitrum, Coingecko, Etherscan or Safe.

Areta's latest report delves into the dynamic world of publicly listed crypto companies and the evolving private market activities. This comprehensive analysis highlights the significant trends shaping the crypto sector and offers an institutional perspective on the web3 landscape.

TLDR:

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Global Market Overview:

• The crypto market cap stands at $2.5 trillion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $85 billion.
• Bitcoin (BTC) dominates with a 54.2% market share, underscoring its continued influence in the crypto ecosystem.

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Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A):

• Companies are increasingly acquiring specialized Web3 developers. This trend highlights the integration of blockchain into various industries and a shift towards consolidating resources to drive innovation and stay competitive
• M&A activity saw an increase of 22% from the previous quarter but remains below 2022 levels. In Q1'24, 45% of crypto M&A deals were in the Investing & Trading Infrastructure and Brokers & Exchanges verticals
• High-profile mergers underscore the strategic focus on collaboration and consolidation to leverage combined strengths. We are expecting more crypto-native M&As aiming to create synergies and drive innovation in the space

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Private Market Trends:

• In Q1 2024, early-stage financings surged by 112%, while later-stage financings saw a 32% increase. Seed-stage financings saw an increase of 101% in capital raised, reflecting a robust investor appetite for young and innovative companies
• Both Developer Tools & Infrastructure and Investing & Trading Infrastructure represented over 30% of all capital raised in Q1'24. Significant financings included Farcaster's $150m raise and Babylon's $70m round
• Later-stage financings have proven difficult in the blockchain space. We anticipate this to persist, and the decreased focus from generalist venture funds to further complicate fundraising, emphasizing the crucial need for professional expertise

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Public Market Trends:

• Acquisitions in the mining sector are gaining momentum following the Bitcoin halving. U.S.-listed Bitcoin miners, with their substantial access to power, are becoming attractive targets for hyperscalers and AI firms seeking expansion
• Robinhood's (HOOD) move to acquire crypto exchange Bitstamp reflects growing confidence in the sector's potential and the broader economic recovery. This strategic expansion into global crypto markets indicates a renewed optimism
• In addition to the renewed interest from public technology and FinTech companies in the crypto market, we are expecting to see some of the largest blockchain companies to explore their ability to go public.

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Sector Performance

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Crypto Investment Platforms:

• Institutional interest in cryptocurrencies is growing, driven by the introduction of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, with $290 billion in cumulative spot ETFs to date. At the same time, leading crypto investment platforms are differentiating themselves by offering new products and services to attract institutional investors. For instance, Robinhood's acquisition of Bitstamp aims to strengthen its institutional offerings, positioning it as one of the few publicly traded companies capable of serving institutions. Additionally, regulatory clarity in the US remains a key priority, as evidenced by Coinbase's efforts to mobilize the crypto voter and collaborate with lawmakers and the courts to elect pro-crypto candidates

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Bitcoin Mining:

• The halving in April 2024 significantly strained the capital efficiency of large US mining companies, especially where electricity prices are higher than in other regions. Additionally, the proposed 30% tax on miners by the Biden administration further pressures mining facility profits, driving industry consolidation. This economic landscape is pushing many smaller operators out of the market. Consequently, Bitcoin mining facilities are becoming attractive M&A targets for hyperscaler and AI firms due to favourable power contracts and enhanced sustainability. This trend is likely to reshape the competitive landscape of the mining industry in the coming years

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Trading / Brokerage:

• Expansion into global markets is a key strategy for Charles Schwab and Fidelity, which are expanding internationally to reach more investors, while Interactive Brokers enhances its global presence with alliances in Asia and Europe. Additionally, platforms like Robinhood and eToro are diversifying by introducing cryptocurrency trading, trying to attract a broader audience and increasing trading volume. Robinhood's move to acquire crypto exchange Bitstamp reflects this growing confidence in the sector's potential. Regulatory compliance remains critical, with the SEC’s strong stance on digital currencies prompting platforms to strengthen their compliance measures

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Payments:

• Institutional interest in digital payments and crypto integration is on the rise. Companies like Adyen, PayPal, and Shopify are incorporating cryptocurrencies into their platforms, launching new services, and forming strategic partnerships. This trend highlights the growing acceptance of digital currencies in mainstream financial services. There is an increasing trend for partnerships and acquisitions to attract institutional investors, with regulatory clarity remaining a top priority to ensure favorable policies

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Fintech:

• Institutional interest in fintech is growing, driven by strong financial performance and innovative technologies. Affirm leads with over 51% revenue growth in Q1 2024. With many of these firms in their growth phase, we expect a focus on consolidation for cost savings, efficiency, and cross-border expansion as interest rates drop. A notable trend is the rise of personalized financial products and expansive customer acquisition strategies, exemplified by MoneyLion's significant boost in customer engagement and product consumption.

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Strategic Insights and Future Outlook

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Institutional Interest and Regulatory Clarity:

• There's a growing institutional interest in digital payments and crypto integration, with companies like Adyen, PayPal, and Shopify leading the charge.
• Regulatory clarity remains a priority, as evidenced by Coinbase's efforts to collaborate with lawmakers to foster a favorable policy environment.

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Expansion and Innovation:

• Firms like Charles Schwab and Fidelity are expanding internationally, while platforms like Robinhood and eToro diversify into cryptocurrency trading to attract a broader audience.
• The introduction of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs has further boosted institutional interest, with cumulative spot ETFs reaching $290 billion.

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Engage with Areta Today

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At Areta, we are committed to consistently delivering new insights and quantitative analyses to provide everyone with an institutional view of the web3 landscape. Download our latest report to gain a deeper understanding of the trends and data shaping the crypto market. Your feedback is invaluable to us.

For unparalleled expertise in crypto/web3 investment banking, look no further than Areta. Let us help you navigate the future of finance with confidence and precision.

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