Cryptocurrency
Singapore blockchain gaming start-up gets $20m
Singapore’s Oasys, a blockchain technology developer focused on web3 gaming, has raised USD 20m from several specialist crypto investors.
Singapore blockchain player Rubix raises $100m
Singapore-based crypto transaction infrastructure provider Rubix has raised USD 100m from US-based LDA Capital to transition into a more web3-oriented and “green blockchain” model.
Indonesia blockchain player Ekta raises $60m
Indonesia’s Ekta, a blockchain ecosystem operator with a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace and eponymous cryptocurrency, has raised USD 60m from US-based Global Emerging Markets (GEM).
Crypto: Something for everyone?
Traditional VCs are becoming more active in Asia’s blockchain and web3 space, despite structural and philosophical obstacles to participation. Can they withstand the crypto winter?
Circle buys VC-backed Taiwan crypto infrastructure platform
Cybavo, a Taiwan-based crypto technology player that provides platforms for digital asset custody and blockchain application development, has agreed to be acquired by US digital currency specialist Circle for an undisclosed sum.
LPs warm up to crypto strategies – survey
Two in five LPs regard crypto-enabling businesses as a legitimate investment target, according to Coller Capital’s latest private equity barometer survey, underlining the sector’s emergence as a mainstream target for PE and VC.
Vision Fund, GGV back China blockchain infrastructure player
China-based blockchain infrastructure developer InfStones has received USD 66m in funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and GGV Capital. Ince Capital, 10T Fund, SNZ Holding, and A&T Capital also participated.
Indonesia crypto player Pintu gets $113m Series B
Indonesia crypto wallet and trading platform Pintu has raised a USD 113m Series B round from Intudo Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Northstar Group, and sector specialist Pantera Capital.
Hong Kong crypto player Babel hits $2b valuation
Hong Kong-based Babel Finance, which claims to be the world’s leading wholesale crypto financial services provider, has raised USD 80m in Series B funding at a valuation of USD 2bn.
Philippines fintech player Coins raises $30m
Coins, a Philippines-based financial technology provider focused on blockchain-enabled payment services, has received a USD 30m investment led by Ribbit Captial.
Crypto exchange KuCoin raises $150m pre-Series B
Singapore-based crypto platform KuCoin has raised USD 150m in pre-Series B funding from an investor group featuring IDG Capital and Matrix Partners, claiming a valuation of USD 10bn.
Thailand payments company Opn raises $120m
Thailand-based payments technology provider Opn, also known as Synqa and Omise, has raised USD 120m from a group including MUFG Bank.
GD1 launches New Zealand's first crypto VC fund
New Zealand’s GD1 has launched what it calls the first dedicated crypto and Web3 VC fund in its home market less than a week after a similar claim by PAC Capital in Australia.
Fund focus: ASEAN finds new inroads to global tech
SeaX Ventures is ramping up its “corporate venture capital-as-a-service” with a significantly upsized second fund and sharpened strategy around deep tech demand in Southeast Asia
Korea Web3 gaming platform gets $34m
Krust Universe, a start-up incubation and investment unit of Korean internet giant Kakao, has led a USD 34m round for local Web3 gaming platform Iskra.
SeaX wins Thai corporate support for $60m second fund
SeaX Ventures – or Southeast Asia Exponential Ventures – has closed its second early-stage fund on USD 60m, surpassing the USD 50m target.
India cricket metaverse start-up raises $100m
Insight Partners has led USD 100m Series A round for FanCraze, an Indian digital assets start-up that earlier this year launched a range of cricket-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Deal focus: Mighty Jaxx revels in 'phygital' bridge role
In collectables maker Mighty Jaxx, East Ventures saw not only an effective traditional retail brand, but a company capable of elevating the user experience by straddling the digital and physical worlds
Singapore’s Cake DeFi launches $100m corporate VC arm
Singapore-based decentralised finance platform Cake DeFi has earmarked USD 100m for a venture capital program that will target web3, gaming, and financial technology start-ups globally.
Singapore crypto player Amber hits $3b valuation
Singapore-headquartered crypto financial service provider Amber Group has raised USD 200m in an extended Series B round led by Temasek Holdings, achieving a valuation of USD 3bn.
India blockchain player Polygon gets $450m
Sequoia Capital India has led a USD 450m investment in Polygon, an Indian platform for building, scaling and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks.
Q&A: AirTree Ventures’ John Henderson
Q&A: AirTree Ventures’ John Henderson DECK Australia-based AirTree Ventures has established a crypto-focused vehicle alongside its latest fund. John Henderson, a partner at the firm, explained how they think about the Web3 opportunity
Australia's AirTree collects $494m for fourth fund
AirTree Ventures has completed the largest-ever venture capital fundraise in Australia and New Zealand, gathering AUD 700m (USD 494m) across three vehicles.
Singapore's Fireblocks closes Series E, hits $8b valuation
Fireblocks, a US and Singapore-based blockchain services provider that aims to “help every business become a crypto business,” has raised a USD 550m Series E round at a valuation of USD 8bn.