Crypto exchange MEXC has announced a $300 million ecosystem development fund aimed at supporting Web3 projects over the next five years.

The initiative, unveiled at Token2049 in Dubai, is designed to support early-stage blockchain technologies, public chains, wallets, and decentralized tools critical to shaping the future of crypto infrastructure, according to a press release shared with Cointelegraph.

Selection criteria for projects looking to participate in the initiative will be announced soon.

“We are committed to strategic investment, focusing not just on exciting ideas and talented developers, but on initiatives with clear long-term potential,” MEXC chief operating officer Tracy Jin said.

She added that the priority is to back projects capable of achieving AAA status within three to five years.

Related: Binance rolls out Fund Accounts for asset managers, bridging crypto-TradFi gap

MEXC fund to invest $60 million annually

Jin explained that the exchange aims to invest approximately $50 to $60 million annually, depending on the availability of suitable projects and partners and the company’s strategic focus at the time.

“We may accelerate the investment pace if a project aligns well with our current business priorities. Otherwise, we will proceed steadily according to the original plan.”

She added that MEXC is actively exploring early-stage projects focused on blockchain networks, decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure, and stablecoins. She said these areas are essential for advancing crypto adoption.

During a fireside chat at the Token2049 conference in Dubai on April 30, Jin emphasized that stablecoins are a key priority for MEXC due to their essential role in enabling stable pricing and trade across crypto markets.

In February 2025, MEXC invested $20 million in USDe, a DeFi-native synthetic dollar from Ethena Labs, alongside a $16 million direct investment in Ethena itself.

Related: Binance, KuCoin, MEXC report service issues due to AWS network interruption

Projects need to prove their worth

The exchange also clarified that its $300 million fund will not operate through open applications but will instead adopt a selective, invitation-only approach.

According to the company, the traditional “submit a form and get funded” model no longer works in 2025. “A project that can’t make itself known or find a way to present to MEXC’s investment team is unlikely to earn our attention,” Jin said.

MEXC is one of the largest crypto exchanges in terms of trading volume. Over the past 24 hours, it has ranked as the 7th largest cryptocurrency exchange by spot trading volume, processing over $3.2 billion in trades, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Source: CoinMarketCap

Magazine: TV hit Peaky Blinders to launch crypto game, FIFA Rivals on Polkadot: Web3 Gamer