ARPA Network, a pioneer in decentralized secure computation, announced a $6 million strategic investment to support product expansion in fully on-chain gaming, Autonomous Worlds (AW), and cryptographic AI. The lead investors in the round include Nomura’s Laser Digital and DeFiance Capital, with additional funding from Animoca Ventures, Metrics Ventures, ArkStream Capital, and Trinito. ARPA Network is previously backed by Binance Labs, Arrington Capital, and DWF Labs.
Launched in 2018, ARPA innovates cryptographic systems to enable more blockchain use cases. And ARPA Threshold BLS Network (launched in mid-2023) serves as the infrastructure for verifiable Random Number Generators (RNGs), secure wallets, cross-chain bridges, and decentralized custody across multiple blockchains.
With ARPA’s first foray into fully on-chain gaming, DEAR is a smart-contract-based creature. And it challenges players to influence and shape the digital lifeform through interactions. And the game’s mechanics, crafted directly from blockchain capabilities, explore the composability and extensibility of smart contracts as well as the intricate relationships between individuals in the community. DEAR launched on the Redstone Chain on May 15.
Researchers at ARPA are also exploring the crossover of cryptography and AI to expand blockchain capabilities and lower the barrier to mass adoption. And the team is building proof-of-concept for on-chain privacy-preserving biometric technologies that grant users smooth and secure access to the blockchain. ARPA also looks to co-author research in ZKML with other leading researchers.
This investment will be used to expand the customer base for ARPA Randcast, a verifiable RNG that offers unprecedented security and efficiency for diverse applications, including gaming, lotteries, NFT minting, and key generation. Serving over 15 dapp customers, Randcast is live on Ethereum, Redstone, Optimism, Base, Loot Chain, and Taiko, and will integrate as an Eigenlayer AVS. Fully on-chain game developers can also easily integrate Randcast using the popular MUD Framework.
KEY QUOTES:
“This infusion of capital from industry leaders marks a milestone for ARPA. We are working on exciting product launches, including DEAR, an elegantly designed mobile fully on-chain game, and integration of ARPA Randcast as Eigenlayer AVS. Together with leading AI institutions, we will publish research and conduct PoC on cryptographic AI for facial recognition using zero-knowledge machine learning (ZKML).”
- Felix Xu, co-founder of ARPA Network
“ARPA’s initiatives in on-chain gaming and cryptographic AI are poised to transform the blockchain landscape, making these technologies more accessible and impactful across various industries. This investment underlines our dedication to enhancing the digital landscape and supporting technologies that offer significant market potential and align with our values of responsible innovation.”
- Jez Mohideen, CEO of Laser Digital
“We are pleased to back ARPA Network in their industry-leading efforts in decentralized secure computation, which are crucial for the integrity and security of blockchain ecosystems. This technology is vital not only for fully on-chain games but also for enhancing the reliability and privacy of applications across the entire blockchain space.”
- Arthur Cheong, Founder & CIO of DeFiance Capital
“ARPA Network’s focus on enhancing blockchain functionality through innovative cryptographic technologies makes it a compelling addition to the portfolio of Animoca Ventures. We are particularly enthusiastic about DEAR, which exemplifies the transformative potential of fully on-chain gaming to offer high levels of engagement and fairness, aligning seamlessly with our vision of fostering a more accessible and ownership-driven gaming ecosystem.”
- Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands
