Binance has announced the 21st batch of its Spotlight projects, highlighting six blockchain ventures that are advancing innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi), security, and Web3 gaming. The announcement was made on their website on February 13.

The new batch of Binance Spotlight projects includes $AERO, a decentralized exchange on Base; $MORPHO, a lending and borrowing protocol focused on capital efficiency; $ONDO, a platform for tokenized real-world assets; $GPS, a blockchain security provider specializing in risk analysis; $KMNO, a protocol for automated DeFi yield strategies; and VIRTUAL, a Web3 gaming platform integrating AI-powered virtual assets. These projects were unveiled today on Binance Alpha.

According to Amazon Web Services, Web3, or Web 3.0, is described as a decentralized version of the internet that uses blockchain technology to distribute data control among users rather than centralized entities. Unlike Web 2.0, where platforms manage and monetize user data, Web3 allows individuals to own digital assets, interact through smart contracts, and use decentralized applications (dApps). This model is built on technologies such as blockchain, cryptographic protocols, and decentralized networks to enable peer-to-peer interactions.

Binance was founded in 2017 and is recognized as one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume. It offers a range of digital asset services including spot and futures trading, staking, and DeFi solutions. In 2023, the company invested approximately $213 million in compliance programs—a 35% increase from the previous year—to strengthen its anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) measures. This investment included hiring 170 new compliance staff and expanding artificial intelligence capabilities to improve regulatory processes according to the Wall Street Journal.