Institutional Crypto Crowdfunding Platforms Are Displacing VCs as CoinList & Binance Launchpad Prepare 100+ Token Launches
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Institutional Crypto Crowdfunding Platforms Are Displacing VCs as CoinList & Binance Launchpad Prepare 100+ Token Launches

A major transition in Web3 fundraising is unfolding as blockchain startups increasingly choose institutional-grade, community-focused crowdfunding platforms instead of traditional venture capital. Platforms such as CoinList, Republic, Bitget LaunchX, Cobie’s Echo, Singapore-based SeedList, and the recently launched Kaito Capital Launchpad are leading this movement. These platforms aren’t just offering investment capital,  they’re delivering distribution power, user onboarding, brand amplification, and significantly faster paths to market.

The momentum has been driven by a surge in oversubscribed token sales, upgraded systems for evaluating contributors, and increasing frustration with the opaque processes of venture capital. More than 100 token offerings are on track for the latter half of 2025, marking the rise of institutional crypto crowdfunding platforms as the primary choice for ambitious Web3 projects aiming for CoinMarketCap’s Top 100.

Massive Token Sales Now Driven by Launchpad Powerhouses

Earlier this year, the $10 million public sale of WalletConnect’s WCT token showcased how effective multi-platform launches can be. The raise took place across CoinList, Bitget LaunchX, and Cobie’s Echo:

  • Bitget LaunchX sold out a $4 million allocation in under two hours, fielding $170 million in pledges from 40,000 global contributors.

  • CoinList drew in more than 18,000 investors spanning over 100 nations.

  • Echo closed a $500,000 private sale in just 11 seconds, thanks to its automated infrastructure and built-in audience momentum.

Since that success, CoinList,  an AngelList spinout based in the United States,  has introduced further token launches such as Bitlayer, Obol, and DoubleZero. These all rely on its karma-based reward system, which recognizes user activity and long-term engagement. CoinList previously hosted major token events for Solana, Filecoin, and Flow by Dapper Labs.

Republic, with backing from Galaxy Digital, has exceeded $120 million raised on its platform and continues issuing stablecoin dividends to Note holders. Meanwhile, Echo, launched by trader and influencer Jordan Fish (aka Cobie), debuted its modular “Sonar” token sale framework, enabling decentralized teams to run compliant, self-managed public sales.

In July, ex-Citadel founder Yu Hu introduced the Kaito Capital Launchpad. This platform adds innovative features like AI-backed analytics, social reputation scores, and Base-chain compatibility. Kaito’s first token launch, Espresso, used progressive vesting, allocation caps, and redistributed fees via its KAITO token.

Contributors Take the Spotlight in the New Funding Era

Beyond just democratizing access, a new generation of token platforms is focusing on something more granular,  rewarding meaningful participation over pure capital. A standout in this shift is SeedList, a Singapore-based platform that is rethinking token distribution by eliminating VC involvement and redirecting access to key opinion leaders (KOLs) and impactful community contributors.

SeedList leverages an AI allocation system that evaluates applicants based on technical contributions, influencer reach, and ecosystem engagement. Unlike legacy systems that favor lottery entries or staking requirements, SeedList promotes hands-on contribution and prioritizes jurisdictions outside the U.S. that often get overlooked in Web3 fundraising.

“We are building off the legacy of pioneers like CoinList, but we’ve created a model built around today’s contributors,” said Rosa Pagani, SeedList’s co-founder, during a private investor call. “Token access should be driven by input, commitment, and value creation,  not capital. We’ve removed VCs entirely and given their spot to KOLs and microinfluencers.”

SeedList is also distinct in its operational model. It avoids fiat or centralized crypto custody, removing regulatory friction and simplifying global access to early-stage rounds. Through close ties with KOL syndicates and strategic partners, SeedList brings previously exclusive deals,  pre-seed and seed-stage,  to retail users and active participants.

Its leadership team and backers further underscore its credibility. Co-founder Rosa Pagani also serves as CEO of WhiteBIT Australia, part of WhiteBIT Global,  Europe’s largest crypto exchange with over 8 million users and $18 billion in volume. Brijesh Patel, another major figure behind SeedList, was formerly with Pronomos Capital, a VC focused on charter cities with LPs such as a16z co-founder Marc Andreessen, former Coinbase CTO Balaji Sreenivasan, Gemini co-founders the Winklevoss twins, and Naval Ravikant, the mind behind AngelList and CoinList.

Renowned Solana ecosystem & crypto advisor CryptoSheldon commented, “In a perfect setup, founders will choose from platforms that fit their specific go-to-market needs,  CoinList for regulated U.S. distribution with VC support, SeedList for Layer 1 or protocol projects needing massive KOL onboarding, or Echo and Kaito for hybrid or niche community targeting.”

2026: The Year Launchpads Eclipse VCs

As the Web3 world moves into the latter half of 2025, distinctions between exchanges, VCs, and launchpads are becoming increasingly blurred. Players like CoinList, Republic, SeedList, Kaito, and Echo are all embedding analytics, regulatory compliance, and built-in liquidity into the fundraising workflow. This allows projects to build active global communities and generate better market momentum right from launch.

Crypto personalities, traditional finance professionals, and protocol builders are racing to participate in or create their own token launchpads,  aiming to flip the script on traditional venture capital and return control to communities. Jordan Fish (Cobie) established Echo; Yu Hu, formerly of Citadel, launched Kaito; and CryptoSheldon, a key figure in Solana, co-founded SeedList.

Several highly anticipated launches are queued for Q3 and Q4 on Bitget, CoinList, Kaito, and SeedList. These include DePIN projects, AI-optimized protocols, and innovative Layer 2 solutions. With smarter contributor models and broader access to previously gated deals, 2025 is shaping up to be the breakout year where token launchpads fully replace traditional VCs as the standard path for Web3 funding.