The decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator 1inch Network has successfully closed a $175 million Series B funding round**, marking a major milestone in its expansion strategy. Initially targeting just $70 million, overwhelming institutional demand prompted the project to increase its fundraising goal more than double. The round was led by Amber Group, with participation from around 50 prominent investors including VanEck, Alameda Research, Celsius, and Gemini Frontier Fund**.
Investors acquired the network’s native token, 1INCH, at a discounted rate of **$1.50 per token** during the round. At press time, 1INCH was trading at $3.44 on CoinMarketCap—nearly 130% above the private sale price—highlighting strong market confidence in the project’s long-term vision.
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Strategic Use of Funds: Scaling Team and Technology
The newly raised capital will be strategically allocated across several key areas to accelerate 1inch Network’s growth:
- Team expansion: Hiring top-tier talent in engineering, compliance, and product development to support global scaling.
- Protocol innovation: Building next-generation DeFi protocols that enhance trading efficiency, reduce slippage, and improve cross-chain interoperability.
- Token utility enhancement: Expanding the use cases for the 1INCH token, including governance, staking rewards, fee discounts, and access to premium services like 1inch Pro.
- Regulatory navigation: Strengthening legal and compliance frameworks to meet evolving regulatory expectations in major markets such as the United States and Europe.
As decentralized finance continues to mature, regulatory clarity remains one of the biggest hurdles for institutional adoption. 1inch is proactively addressing this by developing 1inch Pro, a compliant product tailored specifically for institutional clients seeking secure and regulated entry into DeFi.
Institutional Adoption: The Next Frontier for DeFi
Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1inch Network, emphasized the growing role of institutions in the future of decentralized finance:
“1inch also aims to become a gateway for institutions that want to be part of the DeFi space. The next $1 trillion of assets entering DeFi will come from institutions rather than retail users, and 1inch would like to facilitate entry for them.”
This forward-looking statement underscores a pivotal shift in the crypto ecosystem. While early DeFi growth was driven by retail participation, the next wave is expected to be fueled by traditional financial players—including hedge funds, asset managers, and family offices—seeking diversified exposure to blockchain-based financial instruments.
To support this transition, 1inch has already begun integrating professionals with deep experience in traditional finance into its operations. These strategic hires are helping bridge the gap between legacy systems and decentralized infrastructure, ensuring that 1inch Pro meets both performance and compliance standards required by institutional investors.
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Advancing Decentralization Through DAO Governance
Beyond product development and institutional outreach, 1inch is committed to strengthening its decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) model. With this funding round, the team plans to further decentralize governance by increasing individual token holders’ voting power and improving transparency in decision-making processes.
A DAO operates as a community-driven entity where members collectively vote on proposals using governance tokens—in this case, the 1INCH token. Unlike traditional corporations with centralized leadership, DAOs rely on smart contracts and on-chain voting to execute changes, ensuring trustless and transparent governance.
While projects like ConstitutionDAO have drawn public attention to the potential—and limitations—of decentralized organizing, 1inch is taking a more sustainable approach by focusing on long-term utility and active participation rather than one-off campaigns.
By enhancing DAO functionality, 1inch aims to foster a more democratic ecosystem where users have real influence over protocol upgrades, treasury allocations, and partnership decisions.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is 1inch Network?
A: 1inch Network is a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator that sources liquidity from multiple DEXs to offer users the best possible trading rates with minimal slippage across various blockchains.
Q: How much did 1inch raise in its Series B round?
A: 1inch raised $175 million in its Series B funding round, significantly exceeding its original $70 million target due to strong institutional interest.
Q: Who led the funding round?
A: The round was led by Amber Group, with participation from VanEck, Alameda Research, Celsius, Gemini Frontier Fund, and approximately 50 other institutional investors.
Q: What will the funds be used for?
A: The capital will support team growth, protocol development, expansion of 1INCH token utility, regulatory compliance efforts, and advancement of the 1inch DAO governance model.
Q: Is 1INCH token available for public purchase?
A: Yes, the 1INCH token is publicly traded on major cryptocurrency exchanges. It was sold to investors at $1.50 during the private round but trades freely on secondary markets.
Q: What is 1inch Pro?
A: 1inch Pro is a specialized product being developed for institutional clients, offering compliant access to DeFi with enhanced security, analytics, and execution capabilities.
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Final Thoughts
The successful closure of a $175 million Series B round positions 1inch Network as a key player in the next phase of DeFi evolution. With a clear focus on institutional adoption, regulatory readiness, and community-driven governance, the platform is building a scalable and sustainable ecosystem for both retail and professional users.
As the line between traditional finance and decentralized protocols continues to blur, projects like 1inch are paving the way for seamless integration—offering secure, efficient, and compliant pathways into one of the most innovative sectors in modern finance.