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| By Jurica Dujmovic |
As we dive deeper into 2024, the crypto landscape continues to expand at a breakneck pace. With so many companies coming and going every day, it may be challenging to know how to spot the ones with the most potential.
So, to help you identify some interesting and potentially profitable ones, I've set my sights on five projects that I believe are worth your attention this year.
These companies are not just riding the crypto wave. They're shaping the future of decentralized technology in their own unique ways.
Crypto Project 1. Aptos: The High-Performance Blockchain
Aptos (APT, Not Yet Rated) was born from the ashes of Meta's Diem project and has been making waves with its focus on solving scalability and user experience issues in blockchain technology. Its goal is to bridge the gap between web2 and web3 by making it easier for people to interact with web3 apps.
As a reminder, the current version of the internet is called “web2.” Basically, it means that despite much of the content being generated by users, ownership of the content and publishing platforms is still consolidated in the hands of a few major industry titans.
Web3 aims to move past that to a truly decentralized internet, where users create and own the content.
Aptos isn’t the only project focused on web3 app development. But what makes it stand out is its relentless pursuit of performance optimization. It was recently able to reduce its network latency to its theoretical minimum, which is quite impressive. It means near-instant transaction finality, a feature that puts Aptos in a league of its own.
Aptos' use of the Move programming language offers enhanced security and flexibility, particularly in smart contract development. This focus on security is crucial in an ecosystem where vulnerabilities can lead to costly exploits.
The platform has seen remarkable growth, with transactions skyrocketing from 300 million in 2023 to 560 million in 2024. The diversity of applications being built on Aptos range from DeFi protocols to NFT marketplaces and games and are a testament to its versatility.
For investors, Aptos offers opportunities through its native cryptocurrency, APT, and the promising projects being built on its blockchain.
Crypto Project 2. Forta: The Guardian of Web3
Forta (FORT, Not Yet Rated) has emerged as a critical player in blockchain security. And in an era where security breaches can cost millions, Forta's proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks is invaluable.
It provides real-time threat detection across multiple blockchains. But what sets Forta apart is its combination of machine learning algorithms and community-driven data. This hybrid approach allows the platform to adapt quickly to new types of threats, making it more effective than traditional security solutions.
In 2024 alone, Forta's network has successfully flagged 43 major incidents before funds were compromised, preventing a total of $118 million in potential damages. These early warnings can make the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic loss.
The fact that Forta's network is now overseeing over 5 million daily transactions and $80 billion in total value locked across major DeFi protocols speaks volumes about the trust it has garnered in the industry.
For investors, Forta offers opportunities through its FORT token and by investing in projects that utilize its security infrastructure. And recently, Forta added additional benefits for holders via delegated staking. This allows token holders to contribute to network security for rewards.
Crypto Project 3. Sky Mavis: Redefining Blockchain Gaming
Sky Mavis is a blockchain-based game developer. It aims to bring crypto mainstream through nostalgic games and practical applications, and it is known primarily for the highly popular play-to-earn online game Axie Infinity (AXS, Not Yet Rated ), which my colleague Marija Matić has spoken about before.
It has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in blockchain gaming, and its development of the Ronin (RON, Not Yet Rated) blockchain, purpose-built for building and supporting web3 games, addresses many of the scalability and cost issues that have plagued Ethereum-based games. This gives Sky Mavis a significant competitive advantage in the blockchain gaming space.
And it’s not slowing down. It’s latest effort the Ronin Forge program, offers grants and potential funding of up to $500,000 to selected teams, is positioning Ronin as a go-to platform for blockchain game development. Indeed, it is already the No. 1 gaming-centric blockchain by all-time NFT volume.
That’s a key metric, as NFTs are how users are able to own, control and even profit from in-game items.
This approach not only helps Sky Mavis diversify its offerings, but also creates a vibrant ecosystem around the Ronin blockchain.
Recent Sky Mavis' partnership with Earn Alliance — a platform that connects web3 projects with gamers and content creators — for "Ronin Week" demonstrates their commitment to bridging the gap between traditional gaming and blockchain technology.
By making blockchain games more accessible to mainstream gamers, they're addressing one of the key challenges facing the adoption of blockchain gaming.
While Sky Mavis doesn’t have a token itself, there are still several ways interested investors can get exposure. Its most popular game, Axie Infinity, has a native token AXS and an in-game reward token SLP. Ronin has a native token as well.
Crypto Project 4. Faraway: The Future of Social Gaming
Faraway is another platform for web3 game development, though it stands out with its focus on creating hyper-social blockchain games. It integrates blockchain technology into its games in a way that abstracts the complexities of blockchain to focus on the fun. And by doing so, it addresses a key barrier to mainstream adoption of blockchain games.
For example, tools like Faraway Connect allow players to manage wallets across multiple blockchains. So, players are able to manage in-game assets seamlessly … without needing to bridge them from one blockchain to another.
Faraway's recent acquisition of two major game IPs from Yuga Labs — HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara — significantly expands its portfolio and showcases its ambition. The planned integration of new features and points systems into these IPs could attract both crypto enthusiasts and traditional gamers.
Investment opportunities in Faraway are currently limited as it's a private company. However, investors can gain exposure through NFTs or in-game tokens from Faraway's games. But savvy investors who keep this project on their watchlist should look out for potential equity funding rounds or related cryptocurrencies.
Crypto Project 5. Alchemy: The Backbone of Web3
Alchemy, another web3 app platform, is often described as the "AWS of the blockchain." It is building the foundational tools and services that power many popular decentralized applications and blockchain projects.
And its introduction of AlchemyAI, a suite of AI-powered tools for web3 developers, is a game changer. By leveraging artificial intelligence to assist with blockchain analysis and development, Alchemy is streamlining the development process and reducing time-to-market for new blockchain applications.
It also has shown support for Starknet, a leading ZK-rollup on the Ethereum (ETH, “A-”) network and launched a public version of its platform for it. This team up positions Alchemy as a key player in the zero-knowledge proof space, which is at the forefront of blockchain scaling solutions.
As a private company, direct investment opportunities in Alchemy are limited. However, investors can gain exposure through venture capital funds, crypto-focused ETFs or index funds, or by investing in projects that heavily rely on Alchemy's infrastructure.
You’ll notice both this and the previous project, Faraway, have limited investment opportunity since they’re private companies. But there are some ways average investors like yourself can invest in similar opportunities.
It’s not my area of expertise, but it is the comfort zone of my colleague Chris Graebe. He knows a great private-equity deal when he sees one. In fact, his specialty is finding red-hot, breakthrough companies and investing in them before venture capitalists get in.
And his latest find is out of this world. Literally!
This startup — valued by McKinsey & Co. at over $1.4 trillion— should have Elon Musk shaking. That’s because it could challenge SpaceX for domination of the modern-day space race.
Soon, Weiss Ratings Members can have the opportunity to invest BEFORE this company goes public. But time to take advantage of this chance is running out.
You can learn more about it here, but hurry. This video is going offline tonight.
Back to crypto, the landscape we’ve seen this past year is a testament to the industry's relentless drive for innovation. As blockchain technology continues to mature, we will continue to see this shift from speculative hype to practical, value-driven solutions.
And the companies leading this charge represent impressive opportunities. That’s because they are not just building products but laying the groundwork for a new digital economy.
The key to success for investors lies in identifying projects that can simplify complex technologies, enhance user experiences and provide tangible benefits to individuals and businesses alike, which are the ones that will likely shape the next era of digital innovation.
The crypto revolution is no longer just about creating new forms of currency. It's about reimagining the very infrastructure of our digital world.
As this transformation unfolds, staying informed and adaptable will be crucial for anyone looking to navigate and capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.
To that end, I suggest you keep checking in with us here at Weiss Crypto Daily for the latest market updates.
Best,
Jurica Dujmovic
