The cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence startup OpenLayer announced the completion of a $5 million seed round financing, led by a16z CSX, Geometry, and IOSG Ventures, with participation from Spartan Group and LongHash Ventures. OpenLayer was co-founded by three former Robinhood employees. According to co-founder Yuchen Jiang, this financing started in June and was completed in August, using a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) structure. OpenLayer has developed an AI data layer that allows users to contribute and verify data through a browser extension, and provides developers with user data verification services without the need for original data source permissions. (TheBlock)