A16z Backs $25M Investment in Miden: The Privacy-First Blockchain Aiming for Institutional Adoption
Andreessen Horowitz Leads Seed Round for Zero-Knowledge Blockchain Miden
Miden, a high-performance blockchain project spun out of Polygon Labs, has secured $25 million in seed funding with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z Crypto) leading the round. Other key investors include 1kx, Hack VC, Finality Capital Partners, Symbolic Capital, and notable angel backers like Rune Christensen of MakerDAO and Sreeram Kannan of EigenLayer.
This strategic raise underscores rising institutional interest in zero-knowledge (zk) proof-powered blockchains, especially ones like Miden that promise scalability, decentralization, and privacy.
Edge Execution: Miden’s Blueprint for Scalable Privacy
Miden’s architecture introduces “edge execution,” shifting transaction processing from centralized servers to users’ own devices. This approach tackles key blockchain limitations—particularly scalability bottlenecks and privacy trade-offs.
“It allows blockchains to scale without relying on supernodes or sacrificing decentralization,” said Bobbin Threadbare, co-founder of Miden and former Meta engineer. “Privacy becomes a built-in feature, not an afterthought.”
With this model, Miden supports both public and private transactions, catering especially to institutions that demand confidentiality and regulatory alignment.
Mainnet Launch Slated for Q4 2025
The $25 million infusion will fuel Miden’s development and bring it closer to mainnet launch in Q4 2025.
As part of ecosystem growth, Miden plans to airdrop 10% of its native tokens to Polygon tokenholders and stakers, reinforcing its commitment to the broader Polygon community while advancing as an independent chain.
Polygon’s Nailwal: “Miden is the Final Form of Blockchain Architecture”
Sandeep Nailwal, founder of Polygon Labs, praised Miden’s vision:
“Miden is what the future of blockchains looks like. With edge execution at its core, it’s the blueprint for the final form of blockchain architecture.”
Nailwal emphasized that independence will allow Miden to compete directly with Solana, Sui, and Aptos, while playing a strategic role in Agglayer’s crosschain liquidity network.
Why Privacy and Performance Are Non-Negotiables for Institutions
According to Threadbare, no existing blockchain is equipped for true mass adoption:
“Most lack privacy, scalability, or Web3-native principles like censorship resistance. Miden solves that.”
As large tech firms explore blockchain integration, the need for confidential yet performant solutions is growing. Miden’s architecture may serve as a bridge between institutional demand and on-chain usability.
Inco Founder: Confidential Computing Is the Next Trillion-Dollar Catalyst
The broader crypto industry continues to explore confidential computing, with innovators like Remi Gai of Inco suggesting that privacy-preserving technologies (e.g., fully homomorphic encryption) could unlock $1 trillion in new capital. Miden positions itself as a key player in this emerging frontier.
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