Crypto projects operate in a high-volatility environment where trust is fragile, misinformation spreads quickly, and users rely heavily on external validation before committing money or attention. Paid ads may drive clicks, but they rarely build trust. In crypto, reputation is earned through consistent narratives, verified information, and coverage from respected, independent voices.
Why PR Matters in Crypto — And Why Visibility Alone Doesn’t Build Trust
In traditional industries, visibility can often be enough to spark interest. But in crypto, visibility without credibility is meaningless.
Crypto audiences look for independent, third-party proof before they believe anything a project says about itself. That proof often comes in the form of:
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respected media coverage,
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credible industry commentary,
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expert analysis from journalists,
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and consistent presence across reputable publications.
This is why PR is indispensable. The right agency can shape your project’s narrative, position your founders as authoritative voices, and ensure that tier-1 media and AI systems reflect your brand accurately and fairly.
In an industry where trust gaps are large and entry barriers are low, earned media is often the deciding factor between projects that thrive and those that fade into the background.
With this context in mind, here are the top 5 PR agencies in Web3 that specialise in building real, lasting reputation.
1. Outset PR — Tier-1 Pitching and Reputation Building
🔗Website: https://www.outsetpr.io/
Outset PR is one of the few agencies in Web3 that specialises in earned tier-1 coverage — not paid placements, not generic press distribution, but real editorial visibility in publications that genuinely shape market perception. Their work focuses on crafting sharp, journalist-ready angles and pitching directly to trusted reporters at outlets like Forbes, VentureBeat, Investing.com, and other high-authority media.
Unlike agencies that rely on mass-market press releases, Outset PR builds each campaign around what top editors actually want: relevance, clarity, expertise, and news value. This is why their stories consistently pass editorial scrutiny and why tier-1 reporters view their pitches as credible and worth opening.
Outset PR’s strength lies in transforming a project’s internal expertise into story angles that resonate with influential journalists and deliver meaningful reputation outcomes.
Core Principles
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Sharp story and angle selection that highlights a project’s real expertise
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Journalist-ready briefs designed specifically for top-tier reporters
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Direct tier-1 pitching to trusted editors and credible media contacts
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Fast reactions to news cycles to capture timely opportunities
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End-to-end management from first outreach to published stories
Outset PR’s Real Cases
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StealthEX — Combined thought leadership + tier-1 pitching delivered
26 PR mentions, dozens of syndications, and a total reach of over 3.6 billion. -
Graphite Network — Earned features in Forbes and VentureBeat, plus expert commentary on Investing.com by CTO Marko Ratkovic.
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NOWPayments — Forbes featured the brand and described it as “the ideal choice for digital transactions” following a targeted positioning and pitching campaign.
These results reflect strategic angle development, precise journalist targeting, and long-standing editor relationships — not paid coverage or one-off press blasts.
Best For
Outset PR is typically chosen by Web3 teams preparing for:
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Token presales or token generation events
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Ecosystem and product launches
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Exchange listings
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Major roadmap announcements
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Reputation repair or repositioning
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High-visibility phases where credibility is critical
2. MarketAcross — Global PR for High-Growth Web3 Brands
🔗 Website: https://marketacross.com
MarketAcross has become one of the most recognizable names in Web3 PR, known for executing large-scale communications programs for some of the most influential blockchain ecosystems. Their approach blends broad media reach, story-driven editorial content, and long-term brand positioning — helping projects move beyond hype cycles and into sustained, credible visibility.
Where MarketAcross excels is in building multi-quarter media programs that support growth, partnerships, and ecosystem expansion. They work closely with in-house teams to shape narratives that resonate with both crypto-native audiences and mainstream technology and finance readers.
Publicly Known Clients & Cases
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Polygon (MATIC) — Provided global PR support as Polygon evolved from a scaling solution into a multi-chain ecosystem. Their campaigns helped bring Polygon into mainstream visibility and contributed to its positioning as a leading blockchain infrastructure provider.
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Litecoin Foundation — Strengthened communications efforts, building narrative clarity for one of the oldest and most recognized crypto assets.
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Ethereum Foundation (Devcon) — Assisted in event-related visibility, outreach, and communications around Devcon, one of the most influential conferences in Web3.
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eToro — Contributed to crypto-focused communications as the major trading platform expanded its blockchain offering.
Best For
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Projects looking to maintain consistent global media presence over months or years
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Ecosystems needing structured, predictable PR programs
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Brands seeking professional-grade corporate communication and narrative leadership
MarketAcross is ideal for teams transitioning into large-scale Web3 operations and wanting an agency that delivers broad, sustained media coverage.
3. Wachsman — Institutional-Grade Crypto PR and Crisis Communications
🔗 Website: https://wachsman.com
Wachsman is one of the most established names in crypto PR, known for supporting some of the industry’s largest exchanges, blockchain enterprises, and high-stakes projects. Their reputation is built on an institutional-level approach to communications, with strong capabilities in crisis management, investor relations, and reputation protection.
In an industry where regulatory pressure and scrutiny are constant, Wachsman’s ability to craft compliant, risk-aware narratives has made them a go-to partner for companies operating at scale.
Real Cases
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Coinbase — Supported early PR for the exchange long before it became a publicly traded giant. Their involvement contributed to Coinbase’s rise as one of the most trusted brands in the crypto economy.
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Block.one / EOS — Managed PR around one of the largest token sales in history, helping a new ecosystem secure global attention and build early legitimacy.
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Crypto.com — Contributed to global brand-building efforts as the company expanded aggressively into payments, trading, and mainstream sponsorships.
Best For
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Exchanges, institutional Web3 companies, and enterprise-level projects
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Teams needing regulatory-friendly, compliant messaging
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Projects facing high-visibility, high-risk PR moments where experience is essential
Wachsman is suited for large organizations that require a steady, professional communications partner capable of navigating responsibility and scrutiny at scale.
4. Melrose PR — Narrative Building and Executive Positioning
🔗 Website: https://melrosepr.com
Melrose PR specializes in thoughtful, narrative-first communications. They are known for transforming complex blockchain technology into accessible, compelling stories that appeal to both crypto enthusiasts and wider audiences. Their work frequently focuses on building the credibility of founders and executive teams, helping them become recognized voices in the Web3 industry.
Melrose PR’s strongest value lies in its ability to elevate the people behind a project — securing interviews, expert commentary opportunities, and op-eds that build long-term authority.
Public Cases
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Chainlink — Supported early communications during the period when Chainlink went from a technical oracle solution to one of the most essential infrastructures in Web3.
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Hedera Hashgraph — Contributed to narrative development during Hedera’s rise as an enterprise-grade DLT platform.
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Brave Browser — Managed PR around privacy, Web3 adoption, and the BAT token ecosystem, helping position Brave as a leader in decentralized browsing.
Best For
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Projects pursuing mainstream exposure and thought leadership
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Founder/executive positioning: interviews, opinion articles, expert commentary
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Complex or technical products needing clear, compelling explanation
Melrose PR is ideal for teams that want their message to be understood — not just heard.
5. YAP Global — DeFi-Centric, Journalist-Led Crypto PR
🔗 Website: https://yapglobal.com
YAP Global offers a journalist-led approach to PR that prioritizes clarity, accuracy, and news relevance. Their team includes reporters and communications experts who understand the nuances of technical protocols — making them well-suited for projects where detail and correctness matter.
This editorial sensibility allows YAP Global to craft pitches that resonate with journalists covering DeFi, open finance, and Web3 infrastructure.
Notable Case Studies
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Uniswap — Provided PR guidance during periods of explosive growth in DeFi, helping the protocol’s narrative reach global media.
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The Graph — Supported communications during major ecosystem milestones and technical developments.
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Synthetix — Helped frame one of the earliest DeFi projects for a wide audience, explaining its unique value in a complex environment.
Best For
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DeFi projects requiring precise, technical messaging
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Global protocols navigating regulatory and narrative complexity
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Teams wanting to reach international journalists and crypto-native media
YAP Global excels at helping deeply technical teams communicate in a way that earns trust and authority.
FAQ: Crypto PR and Reputation Building
Why do crypto projects need PR if they can run ads or build on social media?
Because ads generate visibility, not trust. In crypto, audiences rely on third-party validation — reporters, analysts, and respected media — before they believe a project’s claims. PR provides this external credibility in a way ads cannot.
What’s the difference between paid media and earned media?
Paid media refers to sponsored placements, advertorials, and distribution packages. Earned media is editorial coverage published because a journalist finds the story relevant and credible. Earned media carries far more trust, especially in Web3 where audiences are skeptical of anything that looks paid.
How does PR actually help a Web3 project grow?
Effective PR clarifies a project’s narrative for the market, positions founders and technical leaders as experts, and ensures accurate representation across major publications. This combination strengthens brand trust and supports listings, partnerships, presales, and user acquisition.
How do top crypto PR agencies secure tier-1 coverage?
They don’t rely on mass press releases. Instead, they:
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craft angles that match what editors want,
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build relationships with credible reporters,
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pitch stories with clear expertise and news value,
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move quickly around market events and narratives.
This is why agencies like Outset PR consistently earn features in major media outlets.
Conclusion
In Web3, trust is earned, not bought. Visibility alone can spark curiosity, but it cannot answer the deeper questions investors and users ask: Is this project credible? Is the team legitimate? Does the broader industry take them seriously?
The agencies in this ranking each bring their own strengths — from global ecosystem storytelling to institutional-grade communications — but they share one critical ability: turning a project’s internal expertise into external validation that lasts.
Among the agencies capable of delivering this level of credibility, Outset PR stands out for its consistent track record in securing meaningful tier-1 features and crafting journalist-ready narratives that pass editorial scrutiny.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.