Blockchain.com Eying to Raise $50 Million in Venture Fund

Wednesday, 04/09/2019 | 09:13 GMT by Arnab Shome
  • The company recently launched a crypto exchange in 240 markets.
Blockchain.com Eying to Raise $50 Million in Venture Fund
Finance Magnates

Blockchain .com, a leading Bitcoin wallet provider, is seeking to raise £41million (around $50 million) for its venture capital fund.

Citing two anonymous sources, Yahoo Finance today reported that the London-based company aims to invest in equities and digital tokens of various startups in the blockchain sector.

The sources of the publication also detailed that Samuel Harrison, who joined Blockchain as a managing partner in mid-2018, is heading the company’s efforts to raise the astronomical amount.

With previous experience at Naspers Ventures, Harrison is a seasoned figure in blockchain-focussed venture capitals. Per his Linkedin profile, the fund has already invested in startups including Origin Protocol, Coindirect, Sliver.tv, and Nodle.

Diversifying the core business in blockchain

Previously called Blockchain.info, the wallet-focused company was established in 2011, with headquarters in Luxembourg. According to its website, it runs over 40 million wallets, which have transacted over $200 billion with “the lowest fees in the industry.”

In a total of four funding rounds, Blockchain to date has raised $70 million, per data from Crunchbase. Backers of the company include Google Ventures, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin, and Lakestar, one of Europe’s top venture capital funds.

Despite its popularity, the wallet platform faced criticism due to its limited services only for Bitcoin and failing to implement SegWit support to the wallets.

The company is now shifting focus from its core wallet business and is taping other areas in the industry. Late last month, the company launched a digital currency trading exchange called The PIT.

Meanwhile, the wallet platform of Blockchain now supports five digital currencies - Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Stellar, and Paxos.

Blockchain .com, a leading Bitcoin wallet provider, is seeking to raise £41million (around $50 million) for its venture capital fund.

Citing two anonymous sources, Yahoo Finance today reported that the London-based company aims to invest in equities and digital tokens of various startups in the blockchain sector.

The sources of the publication also detailed that Samuel Harrison, who joined Blockchain as a managing partner in mid-2018, is heading the company’s efforts to raise the astronomical amount.

With previous experience at Naspers Ventures, Harrison is a seasoned figure in blockchain-focussed venture capitals. Per his Linkedin profile, the fund has already invested in startups including Origin Protocol, Coindirect, Sliver.tv, and Nodle.

Diversifying the core business in blockchain

Previously called Blockchain.info, the wallet-focused company was established in 2011, with headquarters in Luxembourg. According to its website, it runs over 40 million wallets, which have transacted over $200 billion with “the lowest fees in the industry.”

In a total of four funding rounds, Blockchain to date has raised $70 million, per data from Crunchbase. Backers of the company include Google Ventures, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin, and Lakestar, one of Europe’s top venture capital funds.

Despite its popularity, the wallet platform faced criticism due to its limited services only for Bitcoin and failing to implement SegWit support to the wallets.

The company is now shifting focus from its core wallet business and is taping other areas in the industry. Late last month, the company launched a digital currency trading exchange called The PIT.

Meanwhile, the wallet platform of Blockchain now supports five digital currencies - Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Stellar, and Paxos.

About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome
  • 7315 Articles
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About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well. His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report. Area of coverage: 1. CFD broker-related news 2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments 3. New retail trading trends 4. Prop trading industry updates 5. Executive interviews Education: Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
  • 7315 Articles
  • 133 Followers

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