Binance Labs, which has rebranded as YZI Labs, has announced that it has invested in crypto-AI startup Vana, which focuses on data ownership.
As part of the deal, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao has joined Valve as an advisor through YZi Labs.
The investment amount was not disclosed.
YZi Labs’ investment comes shortly after Valve launched its mainnet and token last December.
“YZi Labs has expanded beyond Web3 to include AI and biotech investments, reflecting our commitment to pushing the boundaries of transformative innovation. As AI advances, data sovereignty is becoming a critical issue, and Valve is pioneering a model that enables groundbreaking AI research while giving individuals control over their data. We are excited to support their mission to redefine how data is accessed, shared, and leveraged in the AI economy,” said Andy Chang, Chief Investment Officer, YZi Labs.
Anna Kazlauskas, founder of Vana, said:
“Vana and YZi Labs strongly believe in the tremendous value and untapped potential at the intersection of AI and data. Together, we are well positioned to capture this growing opportunity that is transforming every industry and experiencing exponential growth beyond crypto.
“This is a strategic investment closing in January 2025. YZi Labs is the sole investor. There are no other investors in this round.”
— YZi Labs (@yzilabs) February 24, 2025
Besides YZi Labs, Valve’s other high-profile investors include Paradigm, Coinbase Ventures, and Polychain Capital, which previously participated in a $25 million funding round.
Following the investment news, VANA price started to rise.
*This is not investment advice.
