Big money is always looking for the next Solana or Ethereum—cryptocurrencies with massive growth potential. Venture capitalists (VCs) invest millions into the altcoins they believe could deliver huge paydays, but they often prefer to keep these investments under wraps until they’ve already reaped the rewards. So, what are these secret altcoin projects, and why should you pay attention?

In this post, we’ll expose which altcoins venture capitalists are heavily backing, break down their token unlock schedules, and offer insights into whether you should consider adding them to your portfolio.

What Is Venture Capital, and Why Does It Matter in Crypto?

Venture capital is a type of financing provided by investors to small startups with big growth potential—like crypto projects that are poised for future success. The long-term goal is a massive return on investment (ROI). VCs typically invest in altcoins during their early stages, well before retail investors even hear about them.

Some of the biggest crypto-focused VC firms include a16z, Coinbase Ventures, Binance, and Pantera Capital. These firms have poured tens of millions of dollars into emerging crypto projects, aiming to cash in on the next major blockchain or dApp platform.

But which altcoins are they betting on? Let’s break down the key projects that have VC backing and rank them by potential.

Tier List: The VC-Backed Altcoins You Need to Know About

We’ll focus on the S-tier and A-tier altcoins—projects that VCs are eyeing for explosive growth. We’ll also review their token unlock schedules, which could create short-term volatility and present both risks and opportunities.

A-Tier: Strong Altcoins With Great Potential

1. Near Protocol (NEAR)

   • Token Unlocks: 6.9% increase over the next six months.

   • Analysis: NEAR Protocol has been consistently releasing tokens every day, which can create selling pressure. However, the technical charts suggest a bullish trend, as NEAR has finally broken its streak of lower lows. With a market cap of around $4 billion, NEAR could 3x if it reaches its previous highs, potentially hitting a market cap of $20 billion. NEAR is an AI layer-1 play with lots of bullish momentum, making it a strong contender.

2. Toncoin (TON)

   • Token Unlocks: Minimal emissions, largely driven by early proof-of-work mining.

   • Analysis: TON, which originates from the Telegram team, has a high market cap but relatively few emissions. The decentralized nature of its mining and the fact that some wallets were frozen for four years make this a unique altcoin to watch. While the project is still developing, its association with Telegram and steady growth make it a promising long-term play.

S-Tier: High-Potential Projects VCs Are Betting On

1. Chromia (CHR)

   • Token Unlocks: 3.36% increase over the next six months.

   • Analysis: Chromia is an underrated gem with a strong focus on developer and user-friendly tools. The project’s past price action shows explosive growth, and with a current market cap of just $150 million, there’s significant upside potential. Chromia has hit a market cap of $800 million in the past, and if it replicates that performance, there’s a lot of room for growth.

2. Zero (ZRO)

   • Token Unlocks: No immediate unlocks until 2025.

   • Analysis: Zero stands out for having no token unlocks until July 2025, giving it a stable runway for the next year. The VCs backing Zero got in at a $3 billion valuation, and it’s currently valued at $3.9 billion. However, many VCs are likely waiting for the project to hit a $9-10 billion valuation before they take profits, meaning there could be substantial upside before significant selling pressure kicks in.

   Zero’s Omni-chain fungible token (OFT) standard allows developers to track tokens across multiple blockchains, making it a favorite among smart money and developers alike. A $20 price target by 2025 is not out of reach, making it a solid investment.

3. Sui (SUI)

   • Token Unlocks: 18% increase in supply over the next six months.

   • Analysis: Sui has been gaining attention from top VCs and retail investors alike. Despite its relatively small market cap compared to Ethereum or Solana, Sui has been attracting significant bridge flows, indicating that smart money is flowing into the ecosystem. While short-term volatility is likely, Sui’s fundamentals make it a long-term bet.

Why You Should Care About Token Unlocks

Understanding token unlock schedules is crucial for making smart investment decisions. When a large number of tokens are unlocked and become available for trading, it often creates selling pressure, leading to a drop in price. Conversely, knowing when these unlocks are happening can help you time your entry into a project to avoid short-term volatility.

For example, GTO is expected to have a massive unlock in December, releasing over 100% of its circulating supply. This could lead to significant selling pressure and is a project to potentially avoid in the short term.

The Rise of Sui and Zero: A Shift in VC Focus?

One of the most interesting trends to watch is the increasing flow of value from major blockchains like Ethereum into Sui. Ral Paul, a well-known venture capitalist, recently mentioned Sui, and since then, the project has been attracting more value than Solana, despite Solana having a market cap 23x larger. This shift signals growing confidence in Sui’s potential to become a major player in the space.

Similarly, Zero has caught the attention of developers and investors alike due to its innovative approach to cross-chain token tracking. With no significant token unlocks in the near future and backing from major VCs, Zero is a project to watch closely.

Conclusion: Align Your Portfolio With VC Interests

The big money in crypto doesn’t just invest randomly—they invest with the goal of finding the next major blockchain success. By tracking which altcoins VCs are backing, and understanding when token unlocks will occur, you can position yourself for success.

If you’re looking for altcoins with strong fundamentals and major upside potential, Near Protocol, Toncoin, Chromia, Zero, and Sui are the projects to watch. As venture capital continues to flow into these ecosystems, now may be the perfect time to start building positions before these altcoins truly take off.