Cryptocurrency
Singapore metaverse player raises $13m seed round
Singapore-based ZTX, which claims to be Asia’s largest metaverse platform, has raised a USD 13m seed round led by US web3 investor Jump Crypto.
Legal action accuses investors of aiding and abetting FTX fraud
Temasek Holdings and SoftBank Group are named in a US class-action lawsuit that claims investors aided and abetted fraud at collapsed crypto exchange FTX.
Hong Kong's OneDegree upsizes Series B to $55m
Hong Kong insurance start-up OneDegree has raised USD 27m from a group including Gobi Partners. It is billed as an extension to a Series B round from 2021, bringing the overall total to USD 55m.
Singapore's Temasek punishes staff for FTX investment
The investment and senior management of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings will receive reduced compensation in recognition of the write-down of an investment in collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX despite an independent internal review finding no evidence...
Deal focus: Hong Kong's Gryfyn issues web3 passport
Gryfyn, the latest project from Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands, has attracted several VC investors, most of which are not existing backers of its parent. The mission is simple: expand the metaverse
2023 preview: Mass access to PE
More individuals will be able to invest in private equity as fund fractionalisation technology matures. But a global downturn, ever-malleable regulations, and blockchain gloom loom large
Raffles Family Office appoints digital assets CIO
Raffles Family Office, a Hong Kong-based multi-family office, has named Zann Kwan as CIO and managing partner of its digital assets unit.
Singapore's Temasek launches internal review of FTX deal
Temasek Holdings has launched an internal review into the circumstances that led to its investment in collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, but Singapore’s deputy prime minister refused to criticise the organisation’s governance structures.
Hong Kong fintech player XanPool raises $41m
XanPool, a Hong Kong-based cross-border payments infrastructure provider, has raised USD 41m from new investor Target Global and existing backer Antler Elevate.
AirTree, Greycroft back Australia's FrankieOne
Australia’s AirTree Ventures and US-based Greycroft have led a AUD 23m (USD 15.5m) investment in Melbourne-based fraud prevention platform FrankieOne, lifting its Series A round to AUD 45.7m.
FTX: Crypto dismisses another deathblow
An emerging technology giant has imploded. Regulations are set to tighten. Investors hit pause but remain confident about the long-term outlook. Business as usual in crypto
Crypto's hyped transparency remains muddy – AVCJ Forum
Centralised finance (cefi) manifestations of decentralised finance (defi) technologies are becoming problematic for mainstream investors, the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum heard.
Citi, Accel back Hong Kong crypto start-up Xalts
Citi Ventures and Accel have invested in Hong Kong-based Xalts, a start-up founded by former HSBC and Meta personnel, with a view to facilitating digital asset management for institutional investors.
Japan's Nomura launches blockchain VC unit
Japan’s Nomura Holdings has launched a business called Laser Venture Capital that will invest in companies in the blockchain and digital assets space.
C Ventures rebrands, hits first close on new fund
C Ventures, a VC firm set up by Adrian Cheng, scion of Hong Kong’s New World Development, has rebranded as C Capital – reflecting steps to diversify into a multi-strategy asset manager – and reached a first close on its latest fund.
Indonesian crypto exchange Reku raises $11m
Indonesia’s AC Ventures has led a USD 11m Series A round for Reku, a local crypto exchange that claims to offer the lowest fees in the market.
Temasek, Boyu, GGV back Hong Kong's Animoca Brands
Hong Kong metaverse start-up Animoca Brands has raised USD 110m featuring Temasek Holdings, Boyu Capital, and GGV Capital. Funding since the start of 2021 now tops USD 630m.
Energy transition case study: Ekta
Indonesia’s Ekta, a blockchain ecosystem operator with an eponymous cryptocurrency, has made a mission of curbing electricity usage in a notoriously power-hungry industry
Singapore crypto risk platform extends Series A to $24m
Singapore’s Merkle Science, a predictive crypto analytics platform, has raised USD 24m in Series A funding led by K3 Ventures, Darrow Holdings, and Beco Capital.
Thailand's SCB 10X appoints Mukaya Panich as CEO
SCB 10X, the VC arm of Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank, has appointed Mukaya Panich, its chief investment and venture officer, as CEO.
China's ClearVue targets $100m for blockchain fund
ClearVue Partners, a China-focused investor in consumer and technology, has reached a first close of USD 50m on a fund dedicated to digital assets related to decentralised finance (defi) services and bridging web2 and web3 operating models.
India blockchain player raises $100m Series A
India’s 5ire, a one-year-old blockchain infrastructure provider focused on promoting sustainable crypto-relate practices, has raised USD 100m in Series A funding at a valuation of USD 1.5bn.
Hong Kong's Animoca Brands raises another $75m
Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands – a start-up with interests spanning gaming and the metaverse – has raised USD 75.3m from several VC firms. It brings total funding in the past eight months to about USD 500m.