Cryptocurrency has always been a rollercoaster, but as an entrepreneur who's bootstrapped multiple startups, I've learned that volatility can be both a challenge and an opportunity. Starting my own business in deeptech and education has meant navigating countless uncertainties, much like the volatile crypto markets many startup founders face.
Understanding crypto’s turbulence requires a blend of preparation and perspective. Let’s explore how founders can tap into this space for funding and investment opportunities, particularly in 2025, 2026 as the market matures.
Crypto Volatility: What Should Founders Know?
The crypto boom-and-bust cycles often grab headlines, but there’s more beneath the surface. Bitcoin sets the tone for the market, but altcoins carry unique challenges, like lower liquidity and higher speculation. These cycles are largely shaped by institutional adoption, evolving regulations, macroeconomic conditions, and even pop culture moments.
For example, the tweet-driven surge of Dogecoin wasn’t driven by fundamentals but by sentiment. Yet, startups like Solana thrived because they solved a real problem during network congestion. Lessons like these highlight the importance of identifying trends while staying grounded in long-term value.
How Crypto Can Fund Startups
Crypto-native funding sources like decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and DeFi platforms are reshaping the startup ecosystem. Unlike traditional venture capital, DAOs provide community-driven funding through token-based governance systems, offering speed and inclusivity. Check out reliable options for DAO-centric investments and decision-making to explore such funding.
Using DeFi platforms also opens doors to faster capital access. Websites like Compound or Aave streamline options for lending and borrowing, providing startups the liquidity they need to scale without lengthy negotiation processes.
That said, compliance matters. Regulations around money laundering and securities rules are tightening, especially in Europe. Founders must educate themselves before entering the crypto space. Look into platforms simplifying regional compliance requirements without overcomplicating the process.
Common Mistakes in Crypto Funding
Navigating volatility doesn’t mean jumping in blindly. Here are frequent errors I’ve seen founders make, and ways to avoid them:
- Chasing hype-driven tokens: Stick to projects solving real problems. It's easy to be swayed by social media, but speculation can lead to loss when trends shift.
- Ignoring regulatory risks: Unregulated funding sources can create legal headaches. Ensure clarity from the start.
- Overfunding: Raising excess capital through token offerings sounds appealing but dilutes control and complicates your business structure.
- Underestimating community roles: With DAOs, token holders are not just investors; they expect involvement in decision-making.
- Skipping due diligence: Products like Polkadot or Chainlink offer strong ecosystems, but every platform has unique features. Research is non-negotiable.
Where Entrepreneurs Can Thrive
Based in Europe, I’ve found EU countries to be increasingly crypto-friendly. Nations like Estonia and Switzerland lead the way with transparent regulations and opportunities for blockchain projects aimed at growth. Europe is also showing steady advancement in stablecoin adoption, which signals trust in digital finance.
Founders in regions like these have access to both funding and innovative sandbox programs designed for experimentation without immediate compliance burdens. Initiatives like Zurich’s Crypto Valley Labs simplify the pathway for entrepreneurs, allowing them to network and test blockchain-based ideas before scaling.
Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs
Bootstrapping my startups as a woman in this male-dominated field wasn’t easy. If you’re a female entrepreneur considering crypto funding in 2025, 2026, some hard-won lessons might resonate:
- Ask "why" before "what." Crypto offers innovative tools, but you must understand why your startup needs it. Solutions are more important than buzzwords.
- Network relentlessly. Join token-specific communities on platforms like Discord or LinkedIn. Women-focused blockchain events often offer safe spaces to connect.
- Focus on education. The gap between crypto knowledge and application is wide for many founders. Mastering foundational concepts like staking and liquidity pools helps.
How to Get Started
Ready to tap into crypto funding while building your startup? Here's a straightforward approach:
- Set clear goals: Define why you’re considering this funding source. Is it speed, community integration, or global reach?
- Research funding models: Explore DAOs, DeFi platforms, and options like tokenized crowdfunding.
- Engage advisors: For Europe-based entrepreneurs, consult blockchain advisors with regional regulatory expertise. Platforms such as Lunar Strategy provide actionable insights specific to crypto marketing and token launches.
- Build trust: Transparency is key. Share your roadmap with potential investors and explain how volatility impacts your plans.
Final Takeaways
Crypto markets may intimidate at first, but for founders willing to prepare, they offer unmatched opportunities. Volatility doesn’t have to be feared, it can be a tool for growth when approached wisely. By entering the space with clarity, embracing community-driven funding, and investing in education, entrepreneurs can turn what seems unpredictable into an advantage.
It won’t always be smooth sailing, and that’s ok. Every setback provides a way to refine your strategy, just like I’ve learned to adapt in my own journey. If you approach crypto funding pragmatically, you’ll find value that extends far beyond price charts.
FAQ
1. What drives cryptocurrency volatility and how can founders adapt?
Cryptocurrency volatility is driven by factors like institutional adoption, regulatory advancements, macroeconomic shifts, and social media sentiment. Founders can adapt by focusing on long-term adoption trends and preparing strategies against volatility. Explore crypto market insights on NURP
2. What funding options do startups have in the crypto space?
Startups can utilize decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and DeFi platforms for community-driven and faster funding options compared to traditional venture capital. Discover crypto-native funding opportunities on Tech Funding News
3. What mistakes do entrepreneurs often make in crypto funding?
Mistakes include chasing hype-driven tokens, ignoring regulatory risks, overfunding, undervaluing community roles, and skipping due diligence. Founders should focus on solving real problems, ensuring compliance, and researching thoroughly.
4. How can female entrepreneurs succeed in the crypto industry?
Female entrepreneurs can succeed by networking, focusing on education, and understanding the gap between crypto concepts and application. Joining women-focused blockchain events can also help foster growth. Learn about women in crypto funding on Tech Funding News
5. What is the relationship between Bitcoin and altcoin volatility?
Bitcoin often sets the tone for the market due to its higher liquidity, while altcoins exhibit greater volatility, influenced by speculation and lower liquidity. Understand Bitcoin and altcoin volatility on Advisor One
6. Are there crypto-friendly countries in Europe for startups?
Countries like Estonia and Switzerland offer transparent regulations and sandbox programs for innovative blockchain projects. Discover opportunities in Europe’s Crypto Valley
7. How is crypto funding regulated globally?
Regulations are tightening, especially in Europe, with stricter anti-money laundering and securities rules. Founders must proactively manage compliance to reduce legal risks. Check out compliance insights on Winthrop Wealth
8. What are DAOs, and how do they help startup funding?
DAOs are community-driven investments using governance tokens where contributors actively shape startup decisions. They offer inclusivity and decentralized control. Discover DAOs explained on Ethereum.org
9. What future trends should founders focus on in the crypto space?
Key trends include institutional adoption, scalability through Layer-2 solutions, and DeFi’s transition into foundational financial infrastructure. Explore crypto predictions on Forbes
10. How can startups build trust with crypto investors?
Transparency is critical in crypto funding. Startups should openly share their roadmap, address volatility impacts, and communicate how they plan to navigate challenges. Learn about investor relations best practices on Lunar Strategy
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
