Changpeng Zhao and Vitalik Buterin Focus on 'DeSci'... Will It Attract Crypto Investment?

Promoting Scientific Advancement with Blockchain... CZ and Vitalik Also Focused

"Market Cap Weak Compared to Recognition... Plenty of Room for Growth"

"Effectiveness Controversy, Must Be Proven with Results"

Source=BioProtocol(BIO) X

BioProtocol (BIO) was listed on Binance on the 3rd, drawing attention to the DeSci (Decentralized Science) field in the market. BioProtocol is a decentralized science protocol built to fund biotechnology research and establish joint ownership of intellectual property (IP) for research results.

BioProtocol attracted the attention of crypto investors by rising a staggering 4823% from its listing price of $0.03 immediately after being listed on Binance.

Binance Labs predicted in its '2025 Crypto Market Outlook' research released last December that "this year, DeSci will continue strong growth along with Real World Assets (RWA) and AI agents."

Promoting Scientific Advancement with Blockchain... CZ and Vitalik Also Focused

DeSci is a concept proposed to create an efficient scientific research environment by utilizing the transparency and decentralization of blockchain.

For example, traditional scientific research is dominated by a few research institutions that monopolize intellectual property (IP) on research data, making it difficult to verify research results due to the lack of transparency in the research process, and limiting collaboration among scientists. According to a Messari report, more than 50% of modern scientific papers are not reproducible, and 85% of biomedical research funding is wasted on redundant research.

However, by utilizing blockchain, research data can be verified based on transparency and shared in open source, naturally encouraging collaboration among scientists. Additionally, researchers participating in peer review of research can be incentivized with token rewards, encouraging more voluntary collaboration. Theoretically, it can also prevent the 'valley of death' phenomenon where specific research ideas disappear in the early stages due to funding issues.

In the DeSci project community, researchers propose ideas directly to the decentralized network. Community members review the proposals and support research funding through crowdfunding and joint funding, allowing for a simplified way of securing funds compared to traditional investment attraction processes.

On November 13 last year, Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, and Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, are speaking at the DeSci Day event. / Source=Changpeng Zhao Binance Founder X

Changpeng Zhao participated in the DeSci Day event held in Bangkok last November, stating, "Many scientists with excellent research capabilities are unable to secure sufficient funding and abandon their research," and "DeSci is a concept that can solve these problems, and I look forward to more projects emerging in the future."

Vitalik Buterin, founder of Ethereum, also appeared on the Molecule podcast, expressing his interest by saying, "It's fascinating that crypto can provide more funding to science," and "DeSci will improve the way scientists collaborate and communicate information."

Major industry investors are also continuing to invest in the DeSci field. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) led a $5 million seed round for AminoChain (AMINO) last September. The round included participation from several investors, including Cercano Management and Plug and Play Tech Center. Binance Labs also announced its participation in BioProtocol's private round last November.

Market Cap Weak Compared to Recognition... Plenty of Room for Growth

One reason the DeSci field has recently gained attention is that despite its increased recognition, it has not yet shown a significant upward trend. According to Messari data, the market cap of the DeSci field (excluding small meme coins) is currently about $1.2 billion, accounting for only about 0.035% of the total crypto market cap.

Lucas Rupert Maelstrom, an analyst, stated in a report, "According to Kaito data, DeSci's recognition increased by 2640% last year," and "In contrast, DeSci's market cap is at a lower level compared to other crypto fields." He continued, "Now it's DeSci's turn to gain attention in the market. When sector rotation begins, the situation will change."

Arthur Hayes, Maelstrom's Chief Investment Officer (CIO), also stated on X, "The listing of BioProtocol will reassess the DeSci market," and "Maelstrom Fund has purchased several undervalued DeSci stocks."

The number of DeSci projects entering the market is also increasing. According to Messari data, 26 active DeSci-related projects were launched in the fourth quarter, the most since the bull market in 2021.

Number of active DeSci project launches as of December 30 last year / Source=Messari

Messari stated, "The increase in DeSci project launches is a strong signal of the industry's growing interest in this field," and "If major projects show research results in the future, the DeSci sector may quickly secure a share in the crypto market."

Additionally, there are predictions that the synergy could be greater if the AI agent, which is gaining significant attention in the crypto market, and the DeSci field converge.

Chris Davis, a Messari analyst, told Bloomingbit, "AI is currently establishing itself as a major narrative in this cycle. Projects located at the intersection of AI and DeSci will gain attention," and "Especially if independent AI agents collaborate in DeSci to develop a multi-AI system that evolves on its own for specific goals, a more efficient scientific research infrastructure can be established."

Effectiveness Controversy, Must Be Proven with Results

Meanwhile, some question the effectiveness of DeSci projects. This is because most DeSci projects have not yet produced meaningful results. Therefore, to grow into a leading field in the market, DeSci needs to produce substantial research results.

Eom Sang-hyun, Dispread's Growth Lead, diagnosed, "The current criticism faced by DeSci projects is that they are focused only on the stage of raising research funds," and "Despite the innovative vision, the actual results are insufficient, leading to criticism as speculative projects."

He explained, "However, due to the nature of the research field, it is difficult to predict when groundbreaking results will emerge," and "The most important thing for the DeSci field to expand further in the future is to produce actual research results that contribute to scientific advancement."