Y Combinator & Base Launch Game-Changing Funding Initiative for On-Chain Startups

Silicon Valley's legendary accelerator just placed its biggest bet yet on blockchain's future.

Y Combinator partners with Base to launch dedicated funding pipeline for on-chain ventures

The move signals institutional validation for decentralized infrastructure at scale. Base's growing ecosystem provides the perfect testing ground for YC's latest cohort of crypto-native builders.

This isn't another speculative play—it's strategic positioning for the next wave of internet infrastructure. While traditional VCs chase AI hype, smart money builds the rails for what comes next.

Because let's be honest: Wall Street still can't tell the difference between a blockchain and a block of cheese.

Strategic focus areas

Y Combinator identified three priority funding sectors. Stablecoins represent the primary opportunity, with dollar-pegged digital currencies proving the model for instant global payments.

The accelerator seeks companies building local currency stablecoins and crypto-native commerce platforms. Base reported over $4 billion in stablecoin value across its platform, including EURC, CADC, IDRX, and additional local variants.

The second focus area is tokenization and trading applications. The initiative targets startups that apply blockchain rails to traditional assets, enabling programmable equity tokens and global access to previously illiquid markets.

JPMorgan recently launched USD-backed deposit tokens on Base through its Kinexys platform, demonstrating institutional adoption of tokenized assets for instant settlement.

Applications and AI agents comprise the third sector, with Y Combinator backing companies building on-chain social platforms and autonomous trading systems.

Base’s Clanker AI agent generated over $13 million in revenue during its first five months by launching tokens through text commands, while other agents execute trades and create prediction markets.

Y Combinator positions the regulatory environment as the crucial enabler for this funding focus.

The accelerator argued that previous regulatory uncertainty prevented generational company building in crypto, making current federal frameworks essential for founder confidence in pursuing on-chain financial services.