Bitcoin startups get dedicated crowdfunding platform

(Coin Telegraph)-27/11/2024

A new crowdfunding platform dedicated to Bitcoin startups has been launched in the United States, aiming at bridging crypto projects to new funding venues. 

The initiative was disclosed on Nov. 25 by Timestamp and is open to both accredited and non-accredited investors.

According to the company, investors will receive ownership stakes in backed companies — similar to traditional equity investing. “This structure provides investors with real equity ownership while ensuring full regulatory compliance,” Timestamp CEO Arman Meguerian told Cointelegraph.

For startups, the platform serves as an alternative to traditional venture capital financing, charging a 7% commission on successful campaigns without requiring any upfront fees. Projects can initially “soft launch” with a campaign page to spark early interest. Once completing the legal paperwork, they can then proceed to a full public launch.

Crowdfunding, in particular when it involves equity offerings, is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Timestamp has been registered with the agency since October 2023, according to public records.   

“As a US-based platform registered with the SEC and FINRA, we operate within a clear regulatory framework while providing founders exposure to a global network of Bitcoin-focused investors,” said Meguerian. 

Although focused on Bitcoin-based firms, capital can only be invested with fiat currency. The company is said to be working with regulators and banking partners to integrate Bitcoin payments in 2025. 

The Bitcoin ecosystem has witnessed a rise in innovation since the launch of the Ordinals protocol in 2023 and the approval of Bitcoin-based spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in early 2024. Institutional investors’ interest in Bitcoin has supported the surge of startups working on solutions around its network since then.

Currently, five startups are raising capital on the Timestamp website, working on products ranging from Bitcoin wallets and payments to a Bitcoin version of Pokémon Go. “We’re creating the infrastructure needed for sustainable Bitcoin ecosystem growth,” said Meguerian.
Crypto startups raised $2.4 billion from venture capital firms in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 20% decline compared to the previous quarter, according to Galaxy Research.