Naver’s Acquisition of Dunamu Dominates Crypto VC Funding

Naver’s Acquisition of Dunamu Dominates Crypto VC Funding

In November 2025, Naver acquired Dunamu for $10.3 billion, setting a record in crypto VC deals despite an overall 28% decrease in deal volume.

The acquisition significantly boosted total funding to $14.54 billion, highlighting increased capital despite fewer deals, emphasizing growing investor faith in strategic assets like DeFi and Ethereum-compatible projects.

November 2025 recorded a 28% drop in crypto VC deals totaling 57, but total funding surged due to Naver’s $10.3 billion acquisition of Dunamu, the largest transaction in crypto VC history. Other significant players included Ripple and Citadel Securities.

Leading the funding surge, Naver acquired Dunamu, causing a significant shift in VC activity despite fewer deals. Other major actions include Kalshi’s $1 billion raise and Ripple’s $500 million funding round. Citadel Securities invested $200 million in Kraken.

The immediate impact saw DeFi projects leading with 30.4% of deals, followed by centralized finance infrastructure at 12.5%. Significant funding influenced liquidity and market confidence, despite reduced deal volume.

Financial implications include a 219% increase in total VC funding to $14.54 billion, primarily driven by large single transactions. Socially, this suggests confidence in DeFi and centralized finance projects amid a broader trend of investment selectivity.

Historically, November 2025 is marked by a contraction in deal-making, reflecting longer-term trends despite record-breaking funding. The Naver-Dunamu acquisition showcases a pattern of large transactions profoundly influencing the total capital deployed.

Potential regulatory and technological outcomes could see increased scrutiny in large-scale crypto transactions. Historical trends suggest similar future acquisitions may influence VC landscapes, as large deals highlight the sector’s evolving financial dynamics.

“Our acquisition of Dunamu marks a significant milestone for Naver in the crypto VC landscape, driving unprecedented funding growth.” – Naver Executives