The Crypto Startup Era Is Over — Here's What Killed It and What Comes Next

WHY IT MATTERS

Think of the early crypto startup scene like the early days of the App Store — anyone with a good idea and some coding skills could build something, put it out there, and potentially reach millions of users. From around 2017 to now, crypto startups could raise money by creating their own digital tokens (kind of like issuing their own stock, but with far fewer rules) and build new financial tools or platforms. But just like how it's now much harder for a small app developer to compete with giant companies like Google or Meta, the crypto world has matured to a point where new startups face much bigger hurdles — more rules to follow, more established competitors, and investors who prefer safer bets. This shift means the crypto industry is growing up, which is good for stability but could mean fewer wild, innovative ideas breaking through.