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So far, 2023 has been a tough year for crypto, with a persistent down market and regulatory uncertainty that will likely send many blockchain ventures overseas for more favorable conditions.

Yet the potential of blockchain to improve life for everyone remains with an increasing number of projects with practical use cases. A recent survey by Inmind showed that the majority of 174 venture capital firms from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S. are looking forward to the end of this crypto winter by the end of 2023.

Capital investment continues to pour into the blockchain space – with GameFi and Metaverse receiving the most at the beginning of the year and Web3 Infrastructure and DeFi projects rising to the top of the list by the time of the survey.

For a closer look at the direction of investment in Web3, we interviewed Cathryn Chen, Founder and CEO of MarketX, a global VC firm focusing on fintech, deeptech, and vertical SaaS.

Chen began her path of successful investments while still in her 20s, and was named among Forbes 30 under 30 Asia, Finance & Venture Capital in 2019. She has facilitated over $250M in investments for more than 30 family offices and funds across Asia and the United States.

We spoke with Chen to learn more about where VCs and investors are looking for the next big thing and how soon they think a recovery will happen.

Also Read:Why Dogecoin Co-Founder Thinks Elon Musk's New AI Company Will Be 'Really Interesting'

Photo Credit: MarketX

BZ: What is the main focus of MarketX?
Chen: We are a global investment platform, starting in 2015, working with family offices, institutional, and retail investors. The goal was to give everyone access to pre-IPO deals through a FinTech platform. Two years ago, we launched a new platform that allows people to invest using crypto, not just in meme coins but also in more proven companies such as SpaceX and Neuralink.

Now we're becoming more of a Web2.5 Private Bank. We also give people the option to buy Treasury Bills with crypto. The platform lets people buy traditional financial products, leveraging their crypto holdings.

BZ: What has been the reaction of affluent investors to the SEC's recent regulatory wranglings?

Chen: For the higher net worth individuals, there are always 10-20% higher-risk products in their portfolio. Over the last few years, higher-net-worth individuals have increased their alternative investment from 10% to approximately 15-20%.

So that has been a transformational change in terms of how our industry works, [and is] why so many more advisors are now spending time talking to their clients about PVC.

BZ: Is the U.S. losing Web3 talent based on its uncertain regulatory structure?

Chen: In the last 6-to-9 months, I have seen many talented founders moving to places like Zurich, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia because the UAE greenlights crypto platforms much more quickly.

The U.S. is losing its edge when it comes to crypto adoption. If we can implement rules that actually help prevent bad actors, there's still room for us to develop. If we don't, someone else will.

BZ: Is the current blockchain investment client not conducive to early success stories like yours? Would it be the same if you were starting out now?

Chen: I think the reason I have been in the right place at the right time. When I started my career, I wanted to build an international business. In 2012, I decided to go back to Asia. And that was the height of the Hong Kong IPOs. So I hit at the right time there. Then in 2014, based on observing market trends and how my smartest friends were starting companies in Silicon Valley, I decided to move back to California, where I grew up.

I was 24 when I joined a startup, and we raised $80 million. Our first company was founded by Sequoia and Lightspeed. I wanted to be part of the experience where I could see how to grow from zero to one, how to work with major players, and the best of the best in venture capital.

BZ: What do you expect the Web3 landscape to look like in the near future?
Chen: We see a future with more development of stable return investments in crypto. I see the necessity of merging Web2 and Web 3. We need this new generation of investors who have learned that investment matters.

If we can adopt more traditional alternative products and merge that with the world of crypto, we can offer the average investor a much better product that's less risky. I think that the marriage of web 2.0 and 3.0 needs to happen in order for crypto to get on the right path.

BZ: What should investors focus on in this uncertain market?
Chen: We should focus on something more long-term. If you look at the real return over a time horizon of 10 to 20 years, it is always real technology companies solving real problems that deliver those returns.

We are very focused on deeptech. We need to look at transportation infrastructure. We need to reduce waste and look at how to turn waste into aviation fuel. We need to look at how to come up with a cheaper electric grid. We need to lay the foundation for the next 20 to 30 years.

On top of that, the whole AI revolution is happening. I just returned from a trip to Silicon Valley, where in 2 days, I met 40 different companies. You can see the VCs are becoming increasingly optimistic about the future because they see real innovation being built by people.

BZ: What is the secret to your early success?
Chen: I think you should not listen to everyone all the time. When I chose my path, leaving JPMorgan to join a two- or three-person startup in Silicon Valley, everyone thought it was career-ending. Then I left that successful company to put all my savings into my own company and pay myself nothing, sleeping in the living room of a San Francisco apartment.

I'm a firm believer that in whatever you do, you have to have conviction. And maybe everybody else will say no because most people don't know your story. I believe in what I do. And I'm going to have some level of resilience and consistency. Every day I put in more work and believe that this is the direction I want to go. I have a unique view of the world. And if it succeeds, it's going to succeed big. I think that's the entrepreneurial journey for a lot of women.

BZ: Is the entrepreneurial journey harder for women in Web3?
Chen: When you go to Silicon Valley, if you just scan through the number of founders who got major backing, they're generally men. That's not a surprise to a lot of people. I couldn't get any funding from Silicon Valley because everyone looked at me and said, "I'm sorry, but you know, you have a great idea, but maybe somebody else." One guy said, "Oh, that's a great idea. But I'm sorry, you're just a girl with an idea."

Some people might not take you seriously. But keep believing, and someday someone will believe in you. Somehow I was able to convince 12 billionaires to back me when I was 24 years old, naive, and honestly made every mistake there is. Somebody will see your hard work, your drive, and ambition and hopefully go on this journey with you.

Now Read:If You Had Invested $100 In Bitcoin 8 Years Ago When Bill Gates Called It 'Better Than Currency', Here's How Much You Would Have Now

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Politics

No 10 decline to say if Palestine will be recognised with Hamas in power

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3 hours ago

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August 4, 2025

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No 10 decline to say if Palestine will be recognised with Hamas in power

The prime minister’s spokesman has refused eight times to confirm whether recognition of Palestine could go ahead if Hamas remain in power and the hostages are not released. 

Keir Starmer’s spokesman was questioned by journalists for the first time since the announcement last week that the UK will formally recognise the state in September – unless Israel meets certain conditions including abiding by a ceasefire and increasing aid.

The policy has been criticised by the families of UK hostages, campaigners and some Labour MPs, who argue it would reward Hamas and say it should be conditional on the release of the remaining hostages.

A senior Hamas politician, Ghazi Hamad, speaking to Al Jazeera, said at the weekend that major nations’ decision to recognise a Palestinian state “is one of the fruits of 7 October”.

Gaza latest: Trump pressed to recognise Palestinian state

The PM’s spokesman said on Monday: “The PM is clear that on 7 October, Hamas committed the worst act of terror in Israel’s history. That horror has continued since then.

“As the foreign secretary said over the weekend, Hamas are rightly pariahs who can have no role in Gaza’s future, there is a diplomatic consensus on that. Hamas must immediately release all hostages and have no role in the governance of Gaza.”

But asked whether removing Hamas from power and releasing hostages were conditions for statehood, he said a decision on recognition would be made at the UN General Assembly meeting in September, based on “an assessment of how far the parties have met the steps we have set out. No one side will have veto on recognition through their actions or inactions.”

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Up to 300 children could be evacuated from Gaza and given NHS treatment in the UK. The plans are reportedly set to be announced within weeks.

He added: “Our focus is on the immediate situation on the ground, getting more aid in to end the suffering in Gaza and supporting a ceasefire and a long-term peace for Israelis and Palestinians based a two-state solution.”

Starmer, who recalled his cabinet for an emergency meeting last week before setting out the new position, is following the lead of French president Emmanuel Macron, who first pledged to move toward recognising Palestinian statehood in April.

Read more:
New US plan for Gaza starting to emerge
Hamas responds to disarmament reports

Canada has also backed recognition if conditions are met, including by the Palestinian Authority.

The prime minister had previously said he would recognise a state of Palestine as part of a contribution to a peace process.

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Efforts to bring Gazan children to the UK for urgent medical treatment are set to be accelerated under new government plans.

In his announcement last Tuesday, he said: “We need to see at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day. But ultimately, the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement.

“So we are supporting the US, Egyptian and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire. That ceasefire must be sustainable and it must lead to a wider peace plan, which we are developing with our international partners.

“I’ve always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution. With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”

Adam Rose, a lawyer acting for British families of hostages in Gaza, has said: “Why would Hamas agree to a ceasefire if it knew that to do so would make British recognition of Palestine less likely?”

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Environment

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max solar bundle $1,139 low, Lectric ONE e-bike gets $319 in free gear, Anker SOLIX C300 90,000mAh stations, more

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3 hours ago

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August 4, 2025

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EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max solar bundle ,139 low, Lectric ONE e-bike gets 9 in free gear, Anker SOLIX C300 90,000mAh stations, more

We’re starting this week’s Green Deals with EcoFlow’s August Home Backup Sale that is seeing up to 59% initial discounts, bonus savings, continued 3x and 3.5x EcoCredit rewards, new free gift promotions, and more – with plenty of ongoing low prices like the DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle that gives you a 220W panel at its $1,139 low, among many others. We also have Lectric’s ONE Long-Range e-bike getting the biggest $319 bundle of 2025 at $2,399, as well as Anker’s SOLIX C300 90,000mAh Power Stations and bundle options starting from $170. From there, we also have EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale on two power station bundles and a dual solar panel option, alongside the best price of the year on Worx’s 20V JawSaw PowerShare Cordless Chainsaw.Plus, all the hangover savings from last week are at the bottom of the page, rounded together in our Electrified Weekly coverage, which includes the new EcoFlow TRAIL releases, exclusive Bluetti Apex 300 launch savings, and much more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Save up to 59% on EcoFlow power stations and backup bundles with bonus savings, free gifts, up to 3.5x EcoCredits – all from $179

EcoFlow has launched a new Home Backup Sale through August 17 that is continuing some of the Monthly Madness rewards from last week while adding new free gift promotions and extra savings – with this event running parallel to the brand’s release of the new TRAIL series power stations. One of the notable low prices we’re seeing during this period is on EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle that comes with a 220W solar panel for $1,139.05 shipped, after using the code 25EFDCAFF at checkout for an additional 5% off your order, which beats out Amazon’s current pricing by $60. Normally going for $2,548 in full here, over the last seven months we’ve seen discounts take things to their lowest for $1,139 back during last month’s Prime Day event, with prices otherwise keeping at or above $1,199. That low price is coming back thanks to the bonus savings, giving you $1,409 in savings and the best price we have tracked.

As previously mentioned, this Home Backup Sale is seeing some continuations alongside some new free gift promotions. Of course, there’s the extra 5% savings you’ll get using the code 25EFDCAFF at checkout, but standard members will also be getting 3x EcoCredits from orders, while Plus members get 3.5x EcoCredits – which you can use to score future discounts and other exchanged rewards. If you already have some saved, you can spend 500 to unlock a spin on the brand’s Lucky Draw wheel for guaranteed gifts/savings. There’s also the chance to get a free refurbished RIVER 2 Max power station with purchases of select DELTA series units.

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For folks not wanting to spend too much on larger whole-home backup systems but want to maintain their peace of mind during trips away from home and possible at-home outage emergencies, EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max is a solid option that starts with a 2,048Wh LiFePO4 capacity and can expand as high as 6,144Wh with add-on expansion batteries. It pumps out a steady stream of 2,400W of power through its 15 output port options, with the ability to surge up to 3,400W once you’ve activated its X-Boost mode in the remote app controls. A wall outlet can bring the battery back to 83% in 1.1 hours, with the option to plug it into your car’s auxiliary port to charge as you drive, on top of a max 1,000W solar input that can also be used simultaneously with a wall outlet for faster 43-minute charge times.

If you just want EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max power station by itself, you can pick it up at $996.55 shipped, after using the 5% off code, while bundling EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max with an 800W alternator charger that tops it off faster than a car auxiliary port will cost you $1,139.05 shipped, after using the extra savings code.

You can browse the full lineup during this EcoFlow August Home Backup Sale by checking out our original coverage of these deals here.

man riding down sidewalk on Lectric ONE e-bike

Lectric’s 60-mile traveling ONE e-bike with a Gates carbon belt drive gets largest $319 bundle of 2025 at $2,399

Looking in on Lectric’s ongoing Back to School Sale, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the biggest bundle we’ve seen accompany the brand’s ONE Long-Range e-bike at $2,399 shipped, which is getting $319 in free gear that includes a rear cargo rack, fenders to go over the tires, and a 4-liter frame bag. This package would normally run you $2,718 at full price, if it weren’t for the brand’s trend of offering savings on the bundles. While we did see it get a $308 bundle back in February, this model has otherwise only been getting $220 in free gear this year, but now, during this sale, we’re seeing a larger bundle than ever in 2025.

If you want to learn more about this model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here, while you can also check out the full lineup of Back to School e-bike deals from this brand here.

man hiking through woods with Anker SOLIX C300 DC power station hanging from shoulder

Anker’s SOLIX C300 power stations are portable 90,000mAh backup companions that start from $170 (up to 32% off)

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station at $169.99 shipped, beating out the brand’s direct website pricing by $20. You’d have to pay $250 for this unit at full price regularly, though discounts in 2025 have seen it go as low as $150, which was last seen in July’s Prime Day Sale event, with things otherwise seen repeating to $170 since June. This is the third-lowest price we have tracked, giving you $80 off the going rate and landing $30 above the all-time low from Black Friday and Christmas sales.

If you want to learn more about this model or get the rundown on its predecessor and bundle options, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

four people enjoying camping in tent with EcoFlow DELTA 2 power station with extra battery bundle

Save up to 62% on DELTA 2 and DELTA Pro bundles, as well as dual solar panels, starting from $499 for 48 hours

Alongside launching its latest Home Backup Sale that is running through August 17, EcoFlow has also launched a 48-hour flash sale that is taking up to 62% off three offers, with things starting lowest on the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station that comes bundled with a smart extra battery for $899 shipped, which beats out its Amazon pricing by $50. This bundle would cost you $1,798 at full price directly from the brand, while we’ve seen it more regularly at $1,289 at Amazon. Discounts this year have seen it fall to $799 back in March, with things otherwise dropping between $849 and $999 during sales. You’re looking at a 50% markdown off its MSRP here and the third-lowest price of 2025, while the savings last through today and tomorrow.

If you want to learn more about this bundle or the two other offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of this flash sale here.

man cutting thick tree branch with Worx 20V JawSaw cordless chainsaw

Worx’s 20V JawSaw chomps through thick branches with a retractable blade at $101

Amazon is offering the best price of the year on Worx’s 20V JawSaw PowerShare Cordless Chainsaw at $101.40 shipped. Most of the past year we’ve seen this more unique chainsaw keeping up at a full $170 rate, which we saw drop to $130 during Black Friday and Christmas sales and more recently fell to $109 at the top of July. While it has dropped as far as $89 in past years, today’s deal comes in lower than we’ve seen in the last 12 months, giving you $69 off the going rate and beating out our previous mention by $8.

If you want to learn more about this unique chainsaw, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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Politics

Coinbase turns lobbying efforts to UK in scathing op-ed

Published

3 hours ago

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August 4, 2025

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Coinbase turns lobbying efforts to UK in scathing op-ed

Coinbase turns lobbying efforts to UK in scathing op-ed

Former UK Chancellor and current Coinbase adviser George Osborne says the UK is falling behind in the cryptocurrency market, particularly when it comes to stablecoins.

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