2 crypto startups crossing the chasm this week to keep an eye on

This week, analysts expect an altseason to start soon in the cryptocurrency market, creating significant growth opportunity for solid cryptocurrencies. In this context, two crypto startups received awards and recognition from non-crypto enterprises, crossing the chasm to the real world.

Overall, most crypto-related accomplishments for projects and startups are usually limited to the crypto industry and native users. Sometimes, however, these startups cross the chasm, reaching a broader audience and onboarding new users to the crypto ecosystem.

One recent example of that was Polymarket, offering a crypto-based prediction market built on Polygon, using USDC, succeeding during the elections. Another recent similar case was with the Avalanche-based game “Off The Grid,” featuring on Epic Games Store’s top free-to-play products.

In a macro environment, Donald Trump has declared crypto a matter of national priority, as Bloomberg reported, crossing the chasm.

Now, Finbold has discovered two small crypto startups that are also achieving recognition outside of the crypto market this week. These can present a potential growth opportunity in the following months and years if they keep the pace.

Hatom (HTM) website won The FWA People’s Choice Award

Hatom (HTM) a leading decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol developed by the startup Hatom Labs won a non-crypto award this week. The recognition came from The Favourite Website Awards (FWA), winning its People’s Choice Award (PCA) web design competition.

“The FWA is an international award platform that honors and rewards web designers, developers and agencies around the world for excellence within the field of web design and development.”

– Digitaling decribed

This recognition came due to the innovative, interactive, and complex new Hatom’s website designed by Immersive Garden. The agency celebrated the accomplishment on X on January 16, exposing its work with Hatom.

This is a big celebration! 🎉

Hatom has been voted Site of the Year 2024!

A huge thank you to everyone who voted—https://t.co/cL7QgrI41c has won the prestigious FWA PCA 2024!
We’re incredibly proud to see our work recognized with this amazing honor! 🙌

A heartfelt thanks to… pic.twitter.com/OKHkyf0z8c

— Immersive Garden (@Immersive_g) January 16, 2025

Notably, Immersive Garden also works with big names in the traditional finance (TradFi) like Aston Martin and Aramco, as announced.

Hatom, at the same time, offers yield farming possibilities with its lending platform, liquid staking, and HTM booster. The startup is also launching MultiversX first native stablecoin, USH, unlocking more liquidity opportunities in the ecosystem.

USH, the first native stablecoin on MultiversX, easily explained.

TL;DR – USH is an overcollateralized stablecoin (similar in a sense to DAI) built by Hatom Labs (@HatomProtocol), natively on the MultiversX blockchain.#USHto1 🔊

Hatom (HTM) is a leading DeFi platform offering… pic.twitter.com/OSZMXlUyfM

— Vini Barbosa (@vinibarbosabr) January 7, 2025

QoWatt is crossing the chasm: Top 10 best EV charging networks in Europe

Navigating the electric vehicles (EV) trend, QoWatt is another crypto startup that is succeeding outside of the blockchain ecosystem. The MultiversX-based EV charging operator was featured among the ten best EV charging networks in Europe, ranked by Chargermap.

This accomplishment was achieved based on 460,000 ratings from 132,000 users, as the company communicated on X yesterday.

[IRL] QoWatt shines in Chargemap’s 2025 Ranking!@Chargemap has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the best EV charging networks in Europe, based on 460,000 ratings from over 132,000 users.

🏆 QoWatt proudly secures 10th place in the “Emerging Networks” category in… pic.twitter.com/pVudqnLTlV

— QoWatt | EV charging operator (@QoWattEcosystem) January 16, 2025

Interestingly, QoWatt has physical EV charging machines in Europe, offering a growing demand service to the real-world. Yet, the crypto startup leverages the blockchain technology and MultiversX (EGLD) capacities to offer benefits and a better experience to its users, showcasing it to its customers.

The recent recognition is one step closer to the blockchain technology – and QoWatt solution – crossing the chasm for real-world adoption.

Nevertheless, while it is worth keeping an eye on these and other startups achieving non-crypto recognition, it is important to understand that investing in startups is risky and offers a volatile ride forward, with no guarantees of success, despite the growing awareness.

Featured image from Shutterstock

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