Blockchain start-ups raised $300 million in first half 2016

The total value of Venture Capital (VC) investment into blockchain technologies and Bitcoin companies totalled $290 million in the first half 2016, with more than 30 startups receiving funding in that time, according to a new study from Juniper Research.

More than a third of all investment was accounted for by three companies: Circle with its US$60 million Series D round; Blockstream, a US$55 million Series A; and Digital Asset Holdings, a US$60 million funding round.

The author of the research, Dr Windsor Holden wrote: "While blockchain technology offers the potential for increased speed, transparency and security across an array of verticals, there has to be rigorous and robust roadtesting in each unique use case before any decision is taken."

Even Cb Insights confirms, through its data, the flourishing industry: Q1 2016 recorded a sharp 385%-rise in financing ($173 million) and an increase by 21% in terms of completed transactions (39 vs. 32) than the last quarter of 2015. Last year, the 131-deal value nearly totaled $500 million while the volume of resources provided by VC startups from 2012 to present (late June) has exceeded 1.2 billions of dollars.