In our “Project Spotlight” series, we showcase new projects that are making an impact in the web3 community. This series will help you stay informed about upcoming projects and companies shaping the future of decentralised technologies. Remember to check out and follow their progress as they contribute to the evolving web3 landscape.
Nektar Network is a multilayered restaking network built on top of Ethereum, designed to enhance and optimize Ethereum’s security model while scaling various solutions. It offers a comprehensive incentives system where different agents, including actively validated services (AVS), restakers, operators, and distributors, work together to extend crypto-economic security to additional applications on the network. By leveraging Distributed Validator Technology (DVT), Nektar provides a more resilient and decentralised alternative to other restaking models, minimizing the risks of centralization. The network is composed of four layers: the Stinger Client, Diva Staking Protocol, Nektar Restaking Protocol, and Nektar’s marketplace. These components collectively enable the creation of validators, facilitate restaking, and allow service providers to utilize Ethereum’s security by rewarding operators within the Nektar ecosystem.
2. Legion
Legion is a leading platform providing access to early-stage investments in top Web3 projects and an open OTC marketplace. Established in 2021, Legion has made over 160 investments, deploying nearly $13 million and distributing over $9 million, with notable investments in projects like Peaq Network, Sei, LayerZero, io.net, and Celestia. Serving over 14,300 users, Legion prioritizes trust and security, with a platform that has generated over $100K in the Community Fund and facilitated $130K+ in OTC trading volume. Legion envisions a groundbreaking economic model that integrates advanced economic concepts with Web3 technology, creating a circular protocol where value benefits and returns to the community. By partnering with select Web3 communities, Legion enhances NFT utility and floor prices through incentivized holding, offering exclusive access to investment opportunities and outstanding ROIs for community members and NFT holders.
Vendetta Games is a forward-thinking game development and publishing company that integrates immersive blockchain technology into innovative gaming experiences. With a vision for a future where gaming is not only engaging but also continuously evolving, Vendetta Games leverages AI and blockchain to create games that offer real-world value grounded in Web3 principles. Addressing common issues in P2E games like high barriers to entry and economic instability, Vendetta is building a multi-chain ecosystem designed to benefit all stakeholders, including the community, scholars, and investors, through diverse revenue streams. Central to this ecosystem is the native token $VDT, which, along with unique NFT assets, allows players to truly own a piece of the game, unlocking enhanced interaction and investment opportunities. Vendetta’s portfolio includes the flagship game Chalk River, set in the 1850s Wild West Frontier, Three Kingdoms: Chronicles of the Metaverse, where history meets virtual reality, and Black Tides, an adventure into the golden age of piracy.
4. Reef
Reef is an EVM-first blockchain designed to make Web3 accessible for the next billion users, offering high scalability, affordable transactions, and advanced features like Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS), extensible EVM, and on-chain upgradability. As a future-focused layer 1 blockchain, Reef is tailored for DeFi, NFTs, and gaming, providing a fast, scalable, and low-cost platform without wasteful mining. Powered by the native $REEF coin, the Reef ecosystem supports a wide range of dApps, including NFT marketplaces, wallets, and security protocols. Key components of the ecosystem include the Reef Web Wallet, a comprehensive portal for managing accounts and transactions; ReefSwap, a decentralised exchange currently that went live in June 2024; the Reef Chain Wallet mobile app, designed to be the go-to mobile hub for Reef users; and soon a launchpad platform called Hydrastarter, a permissionless launchpad for hosting initial DEX offerings (IDOs) with innovative curation mechanisms.
GAINS Associates is a Web3-focused investment firm and the world’s first decentralised venture capital (VC) platform, empowering anyone holding $GAINS to invest in the next generation of crypto unicorns. With over six years of experience, GAINS Associates is deeply rooted in blockchain technology, particularly in advancing zero-knowledge proof systems, DeFi, and multi-dimensional Web3 infrastructures. The firm is dedicated to funding early-stage projects, offering research-driven investment opportunities that have yielded ultra-high returns, such as Avalanche and Quant Network. By removing entry barriers to investing, GAINS Associates is transforming the investment landscape and driving the future of Web3.
The projects featured in our “Project Spotlight” series bring innovative solutions to the web3 landscape. Their ability to innovate can significantly impact the growth and evolution of the web3 industry. Do remember to follow us onX/Twitterandsubscribe to our weekly newsletter(we have an amazing >35% open rate).