Share this article
Chicago Gets Its First Incubator for Blockchain Startups
Updated Sep 11, 2021, 11:46 a.m. Published Jul 10, 2015, 2:30 p.m.
A group of Chicago entrepreneurs and investors have launched the city's first bitcoin and blockchain hub.
Opening today at Chicago's 1871 – an entrepreneurial centre home to 325 early-stage digital startups – Chicago's Bitcoin Center will provide a co-working space, mentorship, public relations and government affairs services to blockchain-focused startups.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Matthew Roszak, CEO of the Chicago Bitcoin Center and founding partner of VC firm Tally Capital, said in a statement:
"Chicago has a rich history and DNA in financial technology, and the blockchain has the potential to provide a new, open-source rail for FinTech innovation."
The Center's inaugural companies include Bloq, a blockchain company; Glidera, a digital currency merchant services provider; Red Leaf, a bitcoin ATM operator; and OasisCoin, a bitcoin remittances company.
The incubator's advisory board comprises prominent entrepreneurs including Andrew Filipowski – chairman of the centre and another founding partner of Tally Capital; Don Wilson, founder and CEO of DRW Trading; Jeff Garzik, bitcoin core developer and Luke Sully, director of advisory services at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Alongside the launch, 1871 announced it will accept bitcoin payments, enabling its tenants to pay their rent with the cryptocurrency.
Chicago image via Shutterstock
More For You
What to know:
- As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.
- GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.
- Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.
More For You
ETH, ADA, XRP Lead Gains as Bitcoin Edges Higher on Fed Rate Cut Expectations
Asian equities opened the week slightly higher ahead of a heavy run of central bank decisions, including a Federal Reserve meeting where markets have largely priced in a 25-basis-point rate cut.
What to know:
- Bitcoin traded above $91,300 as Asian equities opened higher, with markets anticipating a Federal Reserve rate cut.
- Bitcoin rose 2% in 24 hours, facing resistance near $94,000, while Ether gained 3% to $3,135.
- Despite crypto market gains, sentiment remains cautious, with potential for a deeper slowdown without new liquidity.
Top Stories
