Archetype Funds Secures $100M, Marking Crypto’s “Pre-Uber” Phase

Archetype, a venture capital firm specializing in crypto and based in New York, has secured more than $100 million for its third investment vehicle, Archetype III. This milestone represents the latest phase in its mission to support early-stage blockchain ventures. The fund, finalized in September 2025, follows the company’s previous fundraising efforts: an initial $55 million fund in 2021 and a $155 million second fund in 2022, both launched during earlier crypto bull markets. Although the third fund is smaller, Archetype stressed its intentional strategy of prioritizing selectivity and excellence, with only one new limited partner joining its roster of institutional supporters, which includes pensions, endowments, and funds of funds such as Accolade Partners and TrueBridge Capital [ 1 ].

The firm’s investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that blockchain technology will become the backbone of global business, a vision championed by founder and general partner Ash Egan. Egan likens the current state of crypto to the internet’s “post-AOL, pre-Uber” era, suggesting that onchain infrastructure is on the verge of widespread use. Archetype III intends to back startups at the earliest stages that are developing decentralized apps, modular protocols, and crypto products for consumers, including initiatives in payments, stablecoins, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) [ 2 ]. The fund has already made undisclosed investments, expanding its portfolio, which already features companies like Privy (acquired by Stripe), Monad, and Hut 8.

Archetype’s history includes successful exits and liquidity events, such as Privy’s acquisition and the reverse merger of US

Corp with Hut 8, which now collaborates with Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin. The firm also maintains liquid holdings in cryptocurrencies, including $10 million in and $40 million in , contributing to its total assets under management of $350 million. Egan emphasized a patient, long-term approach to managing the portfolio, noting that while Archetype has already distributed $10 million to investors from its first fund, the firm prefers to avoid early exits in order to maximize long-term returns [ 1 ].

Archetype’s focus on New York positions the city as a central hub for crypto advancement, drawing comparisons to Silicon Valley’s Sand Hill Road. Its close ties to projects like

and Zora highlight its influence in nurturing the local blockchain ecosystem. Egan, who previously worked with Ethereum-centric organizations such as Consensys and Accomplice, has a track record of spotting promising startups like Chainalysis. His ambitions for Archetype III include supporting consumer-oriented crypto platforms such as Remix, an AI-driven tool for building mobile games, which he sees as vital for creating standout products and expanding user communities [ 1 ].

Institutional backers have shown strong support for Archetype’s focused and collaborative investment model. Aram Verdiyan from Accolade Partners commended the firm’s talent for recognizing “emerging and lasting trends,” while Andrew Keys of The Ether Machine pointed to its “active” involvement with founders. The launch of the third fund mirrors a broader movement of institutional money entering the crypto space, fueled by clearer regulations and growing business adoption. As blockchain infrastructure continues to evolve, Archetype aims to speed up its integration into mainstream business, positioning itself as a major force in shaping the future of blockchain over the next decade [ 2 ].