Share this article
500 Startups, Huobi Labs to Incubate Blockchain Projects
Silicon Valley accelerator 500 Startups is partnering with Huobi Labs to help new blockchain companies get off to a good start.
By Nikhilesh De
Updated Sep 13, 2021, 7:35 a.m. Published Feb 20, 2018, 4:30 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
500 Startups, the Silicon Valley startup accelerator, announced Tuesday it is partnering with cryptocurrency exchange Huobi's incubator wing, Huobi Labs.
The two companies will support startups in various areas, including developing business plans, focusing on elements such as white papers, marketing strategies, community engagement and fundraising efforts, the accelerator said in a press release.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Huobi Labs will bring to the partnership its industry contacts, which are expected to help 500 Startups expand its blockchain "track" – groups of startups that receive industry-focused assistance. The startups chosen to work with the two firms will be part of 500 Startups' "Batch 23."
Edith Yeung, a partner at 500 Startups, said that, in partnering with Huobi Labs, "Our teams will learn so much especially around the ins and outs of how a digital exchange works."
Huobi Labs founder Junfei Ren said the firm would work with 500 Startups and Batch 23 companies to "help and support all of the new projects as best we can."
Last year, CoinDesk reported that 500 Startups, although an early investor in some bitcoin projects, had not been investing in initial coin offerings (ICOs) or blockchain projects. At the time, one of the company's fintech advisors, Mike Sigal, noted the potential risk, both financially and legally, involved when investing in these projects.
Despite its original Chinese yuan-denominated exchange being shut down, Huobi sees a daily trading volume in excess of $1 billion, with customers in more than 130 countries, according to the press release. Huobi Labs was first launched in 2017 to assist startups.
Silicon Valley map via Shutterstock
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing
Bitcoin’s onchain data points to supply overhang and weak participation, while gold’s breakout is priced by markets as a durable macro regime shift.
What to know:
- Gold’s surge above $5,000 an ounce is increasingly seen as a durable regime shift, with investors treating the metal as a persistent hedge against geopolitical risk, central bank demand and a weaker dollar.
- Bitcoin is stuck near $87,000 in a low-conviction market, as on-chain data show older holders selling into rallies, newer buyers absorbing losses and a heavy supply overhang capping moves toward $100,000.
- Derivatives and prediction markets point to continued consolidation in bitcoin and sustained strength in gold, with thin futures volumes, subdued leverage and weak demand for higher-beta crypto assets like ether reinforcing the cautious tone.
Top Stories
