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Chain is a San Francisco, California-based technology company that provides blockchain infrastructure and Web3 services, including ledger-as-a-service technology for securely tracking and transferring tokenized balances across private ledgers and public networks. The organization operates a software-as-a-service business model, offering products such as Ledger, Cloud, and non-fungible tokens as a service to streamline blockchain development for financial institutions and Web3 builders. Led by Chief Executive Officer Deepak Thapliyal, the company expanded its operations in February 2023 by acquiring a licensed European cryptocurrency provider to form Chain Europe UAB. Concurrently, the firm launched the Chain Prime automated over-the-counter trading system to facilitate programmatic digital asset management while reducing operational costs. The enterprise has secured financial backing from a total of seven institutional investors, including the prominent venture capital firms SV Angel and Khosla Ventures. Chain was originally established in 2014.
Chain has raised $44.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Chain has raised $44.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Chain has raised $44.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series C in September 2015.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2015 | $30M Series C | — | ACME Capital, Amplify Partners, Haun Ventures, MTech Capital, RRE Ventures, Y Combinator, Cory Ondrejka, Greg Kidd, Josh Abramowitz, Shervin Pishevar | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2014 | $10M Series B | — | ACME Capital, Amplify Partners, Blumberg Capital, Digital Currency Group, Draper Associates, Khosla Ventures, MTech Capital, OAK HC/FT, RRE Ventures, Tola Capital, Y Combinator, BEN Davenport, Brock Pierce, Cory Ondrejka, Greg Kidd, Josh Abramowitz, Shervin Pishevar | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2013 | $4M Seed | — | ACME Capital, Amplify Partners, Asylum Ventures, MTech Capital, RRE Ventures, Spring Capital, Y Combinator, Cory Ondrejka, Greg Kidd, Josh Abramowitz, Shervin Pishevar | Announced |
Chain is a blockchain and Web3 technology company that builds enterprise-grade software services, including a customizable immutable ledger (Sequence), blockchain network maintenance with real-time analytics (Chain Cloud), and NFT consulting (Chain NFTs). It primarily serves financial services and businesses seeking to integrate Web3 infrastructure for secure transactions, brand growth, and digital asset projects.[1][4][5] Acquired by Stellar in 2018 after raising $43.7M, Chain solves core blockchain challenges like ledger management, network scalability, and NFT deployment, enabling companies to adopt Web3 without building from scratch.[1][4]
The company targets enterprises needing reliable, developer-friendly tools for blockchain operations, with a focus on balancing business transactions, real-time insights, and customized NFT strategies. Its growth includes high-profile partnerships, such as an NFT project that sold out for over $12M, demonstrating strong momentum in the Web3 ecosystem despite the 2018 acquisition.[1][4]
Chain was founded in 2014 in San Francisco, California, at the dawn of mainstream blockchain interest, headquartered at 292 Ivy Street.[1] Early investors included Blockchain Capital, Fiserv, Orange Digital Ventures, and others, fueling $43.7M in funding across rounds leading to its acquisition by Stellar in June 2018.[1] The idea emerged amid rising demand for enterprise blockchain solutions beyond cryptocurrencies, focusing on customizable ledgers for financial transactions.[1][4]
Pivotal moments included developing core tools for business use cases in the financial services industry, attracting backers like the Bank of England Accelerator. Post-acquisition, Chain evolved its offerings to emphasize Web3 services like Sequence and Chain NFTs, maintaining operations as a standalone provider of blockchain infrastructure.[1][4][5]
Chain rides the Web3 enterprise adoption wave, where businesses integrate blockchain for secure, transparent transactions amid rising digital assets and DeFi growth. Timing aligns with post-2022 crypto maturation, as firms seek non-speculative tools like ledgers and analytics to tokenize assets and streamline operations.[1][4][5] Market forces favoring Chain include regulatory clarity pushes, NFT utility expansion, and demand for hybrid on-chain/off-chain solutions in finance.[1][4]
It influences the ecosystem by democratizing Web3 infrastructure, enabling financial institutions to experiment without full-stack builds, and fostering partnerships that bridge traditional business with blockchain—evident in its Stellar integration and investor network.[1][4]
Chain is poised to capitalize on maturing Web3 standards, expanding Sequence and Chain Cloud for AI-driven analytics and multi-chain support amid tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Trends like enterprise blockchain interoperability and regulated NFTs will shape its path, potentially amplifying Stellar's reach.[4] Influence may evolve toward deeper AI-blockchain fusion, powering sustainable finance tools. From its 2014 roots in customizable ledgers, Chain remains a foundational player simplifying Web3 for businesses worldwide.[1][4]
Chain has raised $44.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Chain's investors include ACME Capital, Amplify Partners, Haun Ventures, MTech Capital, RRE Ventures, Y Combinator, Cory Ondrejka, Greg Kidd, Josh Abramowitz, Shervin Pishevar, Blumberg Capital, Digital Currency Group.
