startup
Fintech Startup Stripe Reaches $35 Billion Valuation
According to CNBC, San Francisco-based payments startup Stripe has just raised another $250 million in funding, bringing its valuation from $22.5 billion to $35 billion
Hong Kong Blockchain Startup Bitspark Announces Closure Amid Coronavirus Outbreak and Protests
Bitspark, a blockchain remittance startup based in Hong Kong recently announced its abrupt closure, stating internal restructuring issues.
Blockchain Startup Developed Solution to Crypto's Irreversible Transaction Problem
An Israeli startup has developed a new technology that could prevent the loss of funds caused by human error when sending Bitcoins or other digital assets. The mistake is common as wallet addresses are represented by a unique and random string of alphanumeric characters.
ConsenSys Sued For IP Theft by Blockchain Startup from its Own Incubator
BlockCrushr, a Canadian blockchain firm has accused ConsenSys of stealing its intellectual property after it took part in a ConsenSys’ startup accelerator program.
Ethereum Dominates European Blockchain Startup Scene
LeadBlock Partners, a European Venture Capital fund that invests in early-stage B2B Blockchain solutions, has announced that Ethereum is a prominent gamechanger among all the European blockchain startups.
Startup Secret Santa – Bridging Startups, Mentors, VCs and Industry Experts
This Christmas, fintech, blockchain, and social impact startups have an opportunity to spur new growth, new thinking and new innovation for the year ahead with the help of free mentorship from experts and investors representing a wide range of relevant fields, including finance, business development, law, and R&D. Startup Secret Santa will pair 20 mentors with 20 chosen startups for two transformative days of pitching, discussion, and networking.
German Startup Plans to Launch Bitcoin ETN on Frankfurt, Luxembourg Stock Exchanges
Iconic, a German startup wants to integrate cryptocurrency into the stock market through the listing of their bitcoin derivative (ETN) with regulated trading on Frankfurt and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
Wells Fargo Injects $5M into Blockchain Startup Bridging Crypto Exchanges and Banks to Expand in Asia
US Banking Giant, Wells Fargo is investing in blockchain startup focusing on forensics, Elliptic. Wells Fargo Strategic Capital (WFSC), the venture capital arm of the bank, has decided to inject $5 million into Elliptic’s Series B funding round.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Park: Turning Tech Startups' Visions into Reality
Blockchain.News sat down with Peter Mok, Head of Incubation and Acceleration Programmes, HKSTP to gain further insight into the incubation initiative and the custom-made programs, that have been designed to support technology startups, and specifically how they could be utilized by blockchain startups.
Electric Capital Raises $1B to Invest in Crypto Startups
Palo Alto-based Venture Capital firm, Electric Capital announced today that it has raised the sum of $1 billion to invest in the cryptocurrency ecosystem
Buy Us Out: Majority of Chinese Blockchain Companies Don't Develop or Even Use Blockchain Technology
Blockchain companies have become a hot property in China over the last few years, and the rise in company registrations really surged following Chinese Leader Xi Jinping announcment last October that the country must strive to become the global blockchain leader.
Combating Deforestation with Blockchain in Africa: Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever thought of how blockchain can fight deforestation? Surprisingly, this application works. MIPAD startup demonstrates how blockchain is useful in tackling the deforestation crisis in Africa.
InvestHK Reveals Details of Virtual StartmeupHK Festival 2021
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong.
Digital Asset Firm Castle Island Ventures Raises $250M to Target Web3 Crypto Startups
Digital asset company Castle Island Ventures completed the largest financing in history, up to $250 million to invest in startups focused on building currency networks, financial services and Internet architecture.
SBI Holdings to Launch Investment Fund for Emerging Companies like Web3, AI, and Metaverse Startups
SBI Holdings plans to invest 100 billion yen in startups focusing on Web3, AI, and metaverse, with financial institutions supporting Japan's goal to nurture its startup ecosystem and enhance its Asian startup hub position.
European Crypto Startups See Record VC Investment in 2022
Despite a challenging year for the crypto industry in 2022, VC investment in European crypto startups reached an all-time high of $5.7 billion, with decentralized finance startups seeing a 120% increase in investments. Europe is also home to the highest number of crypto startups, but lags behind the US in unicorns and startups with over $1 million in funding. Investment in financial service-based startups declined by 19% compared to 2021, while infrastructure grew by 24%. The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulations are set for a final vote in April 2023.
Binance Labs Launches Season 7 of Incubation Program for Web3 Innovators
Binance Labs invites early-stage Web3 founders to apply for Season 7 of its Incubation Program, offering tailored mentorship and resources.
Swiss Crypto Firm Launches Venture Fund, Supporting African Early-Stage Blockchain Startups
Crypto Valley Venture Capital's venture fund will offer early-stage financing to African blockchain startups that have the potential to benefit humanity.
Gemini Allocates $24 Million for Expansion in India
Gemini is set to invest $24 million in its Gurgaon development center in India, focusing on core platform areas like compliance and security. The move is part of Gemini's broader strategy to tap into India's burgeoning tech and startup ecosystem.
Hong Kong with its Incredibly Unique Positioning in FinTech
In the second part of our interview with Peter Mok, Head of Incubation and Acceleration Programs at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP), he went into detail on the initiatives they have developed to combat the global talent shortage, bring Hong Kong’s lagging Fintech industry up to speed and he tells us how blockchain startups can leverage the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.
Beyond Startups—Championing for an Ecosystem to Drive Blockchain Forward
Tribe Accelerator is Singapore’s first government-backed blockchain accelerator, on a mission to bridge the gap between blockchain startups and the traditional world. Yi Ming Ng, the Managing Director at Tribe Accelerator, believes that blockchain is beneficial to a lot of businesses from different industries. However, there has been a lot of fear and speculation around cryptocurrencies in the traditional corporate world.
Neo-Banking Crypto Startup Juno Raises $18M in Series A Funding Round
The India’s neobank is seeking to use the funds towards accelerating its growth and launching more products.
PwC Singapore's Venture Hub, on the Investment Sentiment of Blockchain Startups
We arranged an interview with Lim Shu Ning, Director in PwC Singapore’s Venture Hub specializing in Blockchain during the SFF, which Shu Ning shares with us the investment sentiment of Singaporean blockchain startups and the state of enterprise blockchain adoption in Singapore.
BCB Blockchain Collaborates with Philippine Government to Support Local Startups
BCB Blockchain, a Singapore-based technology firm agreed to join hands with the government of the Philippines to support the development of local startups through creating smart city projects and applications making use of their funds and blockchain protocol.
Coinbase and Venmo Users Angered by Privacy Issues—Fintech Firm Faces Second Class Action Lawsuit
A second lawsuit has been filed against the fintech company Plaid, for violating user data privacy agreements they hold with major financial accounts that use Coinbase and Venmo.
a16z Announces $4.5bn Fund for Crypto and Web3.0 Startups
California-based venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has launched its fourth crypto fund, the Crypto Fund IV, as it prepares to invest fully into blockchain and Web3.0 startups.
API-Based NFT Startup Rarify Raises $10M Funding Round, Led by Pantera Capital
Rarify, an application programming interface (API) platform, announced that it raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by crypto investment firm Pantera Capital.
Web3 Revolutionizes Startup and Investor Landscape
Professionals at Paris Blockchain Week 2023 discuss how Web3 disrupts traditional business models and offers new opportunities for startups and investors. Different cultures in Web3 and Web2 startups were analyzed, with emphasis on the role of investors in Web3 and the challenges faced by startups.
Blockchain and IoT: Transforming Hong Kong into a Smart City
Blockchain and IoT: Transforming Hong Kong into a Smart City
Jay Z-Backed Ethereum App Platform Officially Opens Doors to Public
Blockchain startup Alchemy has recently announced that the blockchain developer platform was perfected and now open to any companies or individuals looking to build smart contract-based projects.
Coinbase-backed Crypto Financial Startup Amber Group Raises $1B Investment Round
Coinbase-backed cryptocurrency financial services company Amber Group raise worth up $1 billion in funds, aiming at provides investors with many different cryptocurrency products for investment.
Crypto Executives Launch Investment Firm Tangent to Help Web3 Startups Growth
The launch of Tangent comes amid financial market turbulence that has triggered venture capital funds to slow down investment in the tech sector.
Despite Industry Upheaval, Hong Kong Seeks Crypto Hub Status
Hong Kong's government supports bitcoin infrastructure development. In 2023, Hong Kong's finance secretary Paul Chan said the government and authorities would work with crypto and fintech businesses. Many sector businesses want to develop in Hong Kong or go public on local markets.
Bain Capital Ventures Unveils $560 Million Crypto Fund for Blockchain-Focused Tech Startups
Bain Capital Ventures’ crypto fund is designed to accelerate the growth of the crypto economy by backing firms and projects that serve users’ needs.
Cointelegraph has launched an Accelerator program for innovative Web3 startups
The program aims to help Web3’s rising stars boost their media presence, community growth and brand awareness in exchange for project tokens.
CoinFund Launches $300m Web3 Fund to Invest in Early Stage Startups
CoinFund is cryptonative investment company. The firm has established a $300 million crypto fund that targets web3 startups.
Purse.io Not Closed Just Yet, Will Bitcoin Jesus be the Bitcoin Startup's Saviour?
Purse.io may be getting a thrown a life line following their shock announcement last week that they would close their doors after six years of trying to bring serious utility to Bitcoin in retail services.
Ninety Eight Launches $25M Ecosystem Fund to Boost Web3 Startups in Asia
Ninety Eight, transitioning from Coin98 Finance, has launched a $25M Ecosystem Fund to support Web3 startups in Asia, leveraging the Viction blockchain and $C98 token.
Elon Musk developing AI startup to rival OpenAI
Elon Musk is creating a new AI startup to compete with OpenAI, assembling a team of researchers and engineers while in talks with investors for the upcoming venture.
Two Co-head of Citigroup’s Digital Assets Quit, Planing to Launch New Crypto Startup
Two former high ranking executives announced to depart from Citi. The duo sees potential benefits in the crypto industry.
Former Blockstream Executive Samson Mow Raises $21m for Bitcoin Startup JAN3
Samson Mow said that the new firm will support his nation-state's Bitcoin adoption initiatives.
Mantle Core Proposes $200M Fund for Web3 Startups
Mantle Core has submitted a proposal to create a $200 million fund for early-stage Web3 startups, aiming to boost adoption of its Ethereum layer-2 network, Mantle, among developers and Dapps. BitDAO's treasury would provide $100 million in USD Coin, while another $100 million would come from external matching capital from strategic venture partners. The Mantle EcoFund and venture partners will participate in projects with a 1:1 co-investment ratio, targeting Web3 startups raising pre-seed, seed, and series A rounds.
HK's PANGU Constructs Virtual Space in Metaverse, Expanding P2E Model for Business Growth
Speaking to Blockchain.News in an exclusive interview, Hong Kong-based graphic design and production start-up PANGU, a metaverse agency appointed by the Sandbox, provides one-stop-solution services for clients to establish and develop their own virtual land in the Metaverse.
Tim Draper Plans to Capitalize on Indian Cryptocurrency Renaissance
Tim Draper is a billionaire investor best known to the crypto community for his participation in the FBI’s 2014 Silk road auctions where he won thousands of Bitcoin. The venture capitalist has revealed the he is now honing in on India's emerging cryptocurrency sector and hopes to fund many of the region's startups.
The Development of Blockchain Chips
The new "fully homomorphic encryption" chip will let users operate on data without decrypting it.
Elon Musk Plans to Launch AI Startup to Compete with OpenAI
Elon Musk is reportedly assembling a team of AI researchers and engineers to launch an AI startup to compete with OpenAI. Musk is said to be in talks with existing investors from SpaceX and Tesla for investment in the new venture. In addition, Musk has recently incorporated a company named X (X.AI) and changed the name of Twitter to "X Corp" as part of his plans to create an "everything app" under the "X" brand. Meanwhile, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched the Bedrock initiative to allow its users to build generative AI from foundation models.
India’s Telangana State Keeps the Ball Rolling with Blockchain-Centered Incubator
The administration of Telangana, a Southern Indian State, has announced the setting up of an incubator meant for startups in the blockchain technology field
Blockchain Could Potentially Level the Playing Field for Startups and Entrepreneurs
The world of business is growing daily, in an article published by Brad Haddin, a privacy consultant, he pointed out that "there are 150 million startups in the world today with 50 million new startups launching every year.” This means that every day, an average of 137,000 companies have been founded by someone in the world. This number has risen since 2005, which is due to massive globalization and industrialization engaged in by different countries around the world.
Blockchain-Based Startups Empower Individuals to Identify Fake News
The fight against misinformation is just starting. Yet startups like Blackbird.AI and Civil are making it easier for Internet readers to identify and discount fake and misleading news. Find out more >
"Tim Draper's Bitcoin Diversification Advice"
Venture capitalist Tim Draper advises business founders to diversify their cash holdings by keeping at least two payrolls worth of cash in Bitcoin or alternative cryptocurrencies, along with other recommendations, in response to the uncertainty created by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund Invests in Tech Startups Fighting COVID-19 in Emerging Economies
Eight technology companies in developing and emerging economies will receive investment from the UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund (CryptoFund) to solve local and global challenges.
Three Top JPMorgan Executives Jump Ship to Crypto Startups
Three executives left JPMorgan for joining crypto startups, believing the industry would have a promising development.
Blockchain Industry Leaders R3 and FORMS HK join Cyberport to Launch “Block AdVenture” Program
Hong Kong's innovation hub, Cyberport along with leading global enterprise blockchain platform provider R3 and FORMS HK have launched the Block AdVenture program.
Top 5 Evolving Cryptocurrency Startups That Are Revolutionizing The Future of Fintech
Tremendous evolution in cryptocurrency startups provides to be revolutionary in the Fintech industry now and in upcoming years.
HK legislator's company will attract 1,000 Web3 startups in three years.
Hong Kong legislative council member Jonny Ng Kit-Chong created a startup accelerator to lure 1,000 Web3 enterprises to the city-state. The engineer and politician owns over 40 enterprises. Hong Kong's government is pushing G-crypto Rocket's hub proposal.
Bitcoin Mining Firm Blockmetrix Bags $43 Million Fundraising
The latest financing adds on top of the previous series A funding round that Blockmetrix raised in June last year.
African Blockchain Ventures See Explosive Growth
African blockchain ventures experienced a 429% increase in funding, surpassing the global average of 4%. Seychelles and South Africa accounted for 81% of the funding, and Nigeria had the highest number of deals but only accounted for 3.4% of funding. Median deal size has significantly increased, indicating growing investor confidence.
OpenAI in Advanced Funding Discussions Targeting Over $100 Billion Valuation
OpenAI is in talks to raise over $100 billion in funding, potentially making it the second most valuable U.S. startup, with discussions also involving a chip venture with G42.
Bitcoin Bull Market Sentiment Is Sparking New Blockchain Startup Deals
The evolving and promising blockchain applications are emerging in parallel to technological advancements, enhancing customer experience and utilizing digital assets.
Cyberport: The Key Indicators for Startup Success in the FinTech and Blockchain Industry
Backed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Cyberport has the vision to be the hub for digital technology for Hong Kong. With its headquarters located in the south of Hong Kong Island, Cyberport is spearheading Hong Kong’s FinTech development. Blockchain.News met with Charles Lam, the senior manager of the FinTech and Blockchain Cluster at Cyberport; he explained to us the current FinTech and blockchain ecosystem in Cyberport and how it connects to the global FinTech network.
Fintech Startup Monerium Seeks to Issue E-Money on Algorand Blockchain
The role of e-money is on the rise and continues to challenge bank deposits and cash. The recent partnership between Fintech Firm Monerium and Algorand Blockchain company presents a whole picture of the relevance of e-money as a more convenient means of payments and financial transactions.
Blockchain-based Agricultural Startup Plans to Unite the Coffee Industry of Honduras
GrainChain being an agricultural start up backed up by Medici Ventures and has shown some prospects so far, plans to bring together the coffee industry of Honduras.