Grayscale Eyes VeChain and Iota for Investment Products as Coinbase Lists Four Low-Market-Cap Tokens

·

The world of cryptocurrency continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with major institutional players like Grayscale expanding their horizons and leading exchanges such as Coinbase broadening their token offerings. In a significant move signaling growing confidence in emerging blockchain ecosystems, Grayscale has added 25 new digital assets to its evaluation list for potential inclusion in its investment products — including high-potential networks like VeChain, Iota, and Axie Infinity.

This strategic expansion reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its portfolio and capturing value across innovative sectors such as decentralized finance (DeFi), supply chain management, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Meanwhile, Coinbase has listed four lesser-known tokens — Cryptex (CTX), DIA (DIA), Maple (MPL), and Unifi Protocol DAO (UNFI) — further democratizing access to early-stage blockchain projects.

Grayscale Expands Crypto Evaluation List

Grayscale, the largest digital asset manager globally with over **$55 billion in assets under management (AUM)**, is known for its flagship products like the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE), which together account for $31.2 billion of its total AUM.

In a recent website update on January 24, the company revealed it is now considering 25 additional cryptocurrencies for future investment products. Among them are:

These assets span various use cases — from gaming and data storage to privacy and decentralized finance — indicating Grayscale’s interest in capturing innovation across multiple blockchain verticals.

👉 Discover how emerging blockchain projects are gaining institutional attention.

New Additions to Grayscale DeFi Fund

Beyond exploration, Grayscale has already taken action by officially adding Amp (AMP) to its Grayscale DeFi Fund. AMP is a collateral token used primarily on the Flexa network to secure instant payments, enhancing transaction reliability in real time.

The Grayscale DeFi Fund currently manages around $7 million in AUM, though this represents a 35.8% decline since its launch in July 2021. Despite the drop, the addition of AMP suggests that Grayscale remains committed to evolving its DeFi exposure in line with market developments and technological advancements.

With DeFi continuing to mature — offering services like lending, borrowing, yield farming, and synthetic assets — institutional interest in diversified exposure remains strong. By evaluating more tokens, Grayscale may be laying the groundwork for new single-asset trusts or expanded multi-asset funds.

Spotlight on Key Evaluated Projects

VeChain: Transforming Supply Chains

VeChain (VET) began as an ERC-20 token in 2015 but later migrated to its own blockchain, VeChainThor. Today, it powers enterprise-grade solutions for supply chain tracking, anti-counterfeiting, and sustainability verification.

Major global brands like Walmart China, BMW, and PwC have adopted VeChain-based platforms to improve transparency and traceability. Its real-world utility makes it a compelling candidate for long-term institutional investment.

Iota: Powering the Internet of Things

Iota (IOTA) operates on a unique distributed ledger technology called Tangle — a directed acyclic graph (DAG) that eliminates traditional blocks and miners. This allows feeless microtransactions between IoT devices, making it ideal for smart cities, industrial automation, and machine-to-machine economies.

Launched in late 2015, Iota aims to become the backbone of a machine economy where devices autonomously transact without intermediaries.

Axie Infinity: Leading the Play-to-Earn Revolution

Axie Infinity (AXS) is the governance token of a blockchain-based gaming ecosystem where players earn tokens by playing. Since January 2021, AXS has surged from $0.97 to over $51, with market capitalization growing from $48 million to $3.6 billion — a testament to the rising popularity of play-to-earn models.

Its success highlights how blockchain gaming can drive user adoption and create sustainable digital economies.

Coinbase Lists Four Niche Tokens

While Grayscale evaluates large-scale opportunities, Coinbase, one of the top three crypto exchanges by trading volume (~$4 billion daily), has taken a different approach by listing four low-market-cap tokens:

None of these rank within the top 500 by market cap, but their listing signals Coinbase’s commitment to expanding access to innovative decentralized projects. The exchange announced the move via Twitter on January 25, reaffirming its promise to list more tokens in 2022.

How Small Projects Gain Traction

Joe Sticco, co-founder and CEO of Cryptex, shared insights into how smaller projects can rise through the ranks. Cryptex is a DAO that manages TCAP, an index tracking the total crypto market cap. After listing on Coinbase, CTX saw a 10.7% price increase, trading at $10.79.

Sticco emphasized community-driven growth:

“This enables us to remain agile and community-focused while now reaching every corner of the globe.”

He also highlighted the importance of solving real problems:

“It’s not about where we start — it’s about starting small and tackling incredibly hard challenges to build the best possible financial future for all participants.”

👉 Learn how early-stage crypto projects are reshaping finance today.

Why Institutional Interest Matters

Inclusion on Grayscale’s evaluation list doesn’t guarantee future product development, but it significantly boosts visibility and credibility. For smaller projects, being watched by major institutions can lead to:

Similarly, listings on top-tier exchanges like Coinbase provide critical infrastructure for retail access and price discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does it mean when Grayscale considers a cryptocurrency?

When Grayscale adds a cryptocurrency to its evaluation list, it means the asset is under review for potential inclusion in a trust or investment fund. While not a guarantee, it signals serious institutional interest.

Is being listed on Coinbase good for a crypto project?

Yes. A Coinbase listing typically brings increased liquidity, broader investor access, regulatory validation, and often a short-term price boost due to heightened demand.

What is the difference between Grayscale and Coinbase?

Grayscale is an asset manager offering investment products (like trusts) primarily for institutional and accredited investors. Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange enabling retail and institutional users to buy, sell, and store digital assets.

Can I invest directly in Grayscale’s DeFi Fund?

Yes, but access is limited to accredited investors in certain jurisdictions. The fund is not publicly traded like GBTC but offers exposure to a basket of DeFi tokens.

Why are VeChain and Iota attracting attention now?

Both offer real-world utility — VeChain in supply chain management and Iota in IoT applications — making them stand out among speculative altcoins. Their enterprise partnerships add credibility.

Will all 25 evaluated tokens be added to Grayscale products?

Not necessarily. Evaluation does not equal adoption. Only assets meeting strict regulatory, security, and liquidity standards will progress to product development.

The growing interest from institutions like Grayscale and platforms like Coinbase underscores a maturing crypto ecosystem. As innovation spreads beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, investors have more opportunities than ever to participate in transformative technologies — from decentralized finance to machine economies.

Whether through institutional-grade funds or accessible exchange listings, the path to mainstream adoption is becoming clearer.

👉 Explore next-generation blockchain innovations shaping the future of finance.