Bitcoin
$66,925.47+0.88%
Ethereum
$3,250.15+1.63%
Binance Coin
$606.34+1.45%
Solana
$157.46+2.21%
XRP
$0.54776753+2.27%
Dogecoin
$0.16096085+0.23%
Toncoin
$5.68-7.06%
Cardano
$0.51234903-0.11%
Shiba Inu
$0.00002723+0.72%
Avalanche
$39.18+0.68%
Wrapped Bitcoin
$66,946.64+0.79%
Polkadot
$7.53+1.36%
PlayIconNav
Crypto Prices CoinDesk 20 Index CoinDesk 20 Index
Countdown to Consensus 2024The largest and longest running event that covers all sides of Crypto and Web 3
35
DAYS
21
HR
16
MIN
00
SEC
Markets

US Government Awards $2.25 Million to Blockchain Research Projects

The US government has awarded research contracts to three startups working with blockchain worth a total of about $2.25m.

By Stan Higgins
AccessTimeIconMay 12, 2017 at 2:50 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 11, 2021 at 1:19 p.m. UTC
DHS, homeland security
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The US government has awarded research contracts to three startups working with blockchain worth a total of about $2.25m.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quietly revealed the grants last week as part of its Small Business Innovation Research initiative.

Who got funded: DHS said that it parceled out a total of $9.7m between 12 companies, three of which are working with the tech. According to a release, each firm got about $750,000 to fund their research.

Here are the companies that got funds for their blockchain-related initiatives:

  • BlockCypher: The startup has been awarded a grant for its "blockchain platform for multiple blockchains, applications and analytics. BlockCypher was the recipient of a $600,000 DHS grant last summer.
  • Digital Bazaar: According to DHS, the company is working on a "verifiable claims project" that utilizes "fit-for-purpose distributed ledgers". Like BlockCypher, Digital Bazaar was given a DHS grant in 2016.
  • Evernym: This Utah-based business will use the funds to support its research into "decentralized key management using blockchain", according to DHS.

The big picture: With the grants, the DHS is expanding the scope of its investments in blockchain.

To date, DHS – created during the George W. Bush administration in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks – has been one of the more prolific government departments in the blockchain space. Similarly, a research lab funded by DHS has also conducted work on the tech, developing a bitcoin transaction analysis tool last year.

Some organizations supported by federal funding, the National Science Foundation in particular, have moved in the past year to provide working capital for blockchain-related research efforts

Image Credit: Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.