VC Roundup: Securitize, Agora, Moso, Hinkal, X10 Clinch New Funds

The cryptocurrency sector continues to attract significant venture capital, with several notable funding rounds announced this week. Companies such as Securitize, Agora, Moso, Hinkal, and X10 have successfully secured substantial investments, indicating strong investor confidence in the future of blockchain technology and decentralized finance (DeFi).

Securitize Secures $47 Million

Securitize, a prominent player in digital asset securities, has closed a substantial funding round, raising $47 million. This round was led by BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, with participation from Hamilton Lane, ParaFi Capital, Tradeweb Markets, Aptos Labs, Circle, and Paxos. As part of this funding agreement, Joseph Chalom, BlackRock’s Global Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships, will join the Securitize board of directors.

This significant investment coincided with the launch of BlackRock’s first tokenized fund, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), deployed on Ethereum. Managed in collaboration with Securitize, BUIDL aims to maintain a stable token value of $1, distribute dividends directly to investors’ wallets, and offer flexible custody options, thereby enhancing investor accessibility and convenience.

Agora Raises $5 Million

Agora, a cross-chain governance platform, has successfully secured $5 million in seed funding. The round was led by Haun Ventures, which backs firms like Chainalysis, Argus Labs, and Sona. Other notable investors include Seed Club, Coinbase Ventures, and industry figures such as Balaji Srinivasan, Sina Habibian, and Tim Beiko.

Agora provides an end-to-end governance system for decentralized communities, offering tools such as gasless voting, proposal sponsorship, and API integration. Its client base includes prominent crypto protocols like Optimism and Uniswap. This funding will help Agora expand its offerings and further support the development of decentralized governance solutions.

Moso Bags $2 Million

Los Angeles-based shop-to-earn platform Moso has closed a $2 million seed funding round. The round included investments from Symbolic Capital and Dao5. Moso, led by CEO Blake Capozza, partners with over 2,000 merchants, including Walmart and eBay, to facilitate crypto rewards for users. The funds will be used to enhance the platform’s operations and development initiatives, promoting the integration of crypto with online shopping experiences.

X10 Secures $6.5 Million

Former Revolut employees have launched X10, a hybrid crypto exchange, securing $6.5 million in funding. Backed by Tioga Capital, Semantic Ventures, and notable individuals from Revolut and Lido, including Lido founder Konstantin Lomashuk, X10 aims to combine the best of centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The platform promotes a hybrid approach to crypto custody, enhancing the security and functionality of digital asset trading.

Hinkal Raises $1.4 Million

Hinkal, a San Francisco-based multi-chain privacy layer for confidential DeFi transactions, has raised $1.4 million in a funding round led by the SALT Fund. Founded by Giorgi and Nika Koreli, Hinkal aims to address liquidity challenges for venture capital and founding teams by providing a secure environment for token vesting and liquidation. The platform leverages zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to offer a private smart contract wallet experience, enabling users to interact with decentralized applications (dapps) from private addresses.

Implications for the Crypto and DeFi Sectors

These significant funding rounds underscore the growing investor confidence in blockchain technology and decentralized finance. Securitize’s substantial investment highlights the increasing interest in tokenized assets and the potential for digital securities to transform traditional financial markets. Agora’s funding emphasizes the importance of decentralized governance solutions in the evolving DeFi landscape.

Moso’s success demonstrates the potential for integrating crypto rewards with online shopping, offering a unique value proposition for consumers. X10’s hybrid approach to crypto custody addresses the need for secure and efficient trading platforms, while Hinkal’s focus on privacy and liquidity solutions highlights the ongoing demand for advanced DeFi tools.

Future Outlook

As the cryptocurrency and DeFi sectors continue to mature, these investments will play a crucial role in driving innovation and expanding the adoption of blockchain technology. Companies like Securitize, Agora, Moso, Hinkal, and X10 are well-positioned to lead the charge, offering innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the market. The continued support from venture capital firms underscores the long-term potential of the crypto industry, paving the way for further advancements and increased mainstream adoption.

Conclusion

The latest round of venture capital investments in the crypto space highlights the dynamic nature of the industry and the growing confidence of investors in blockchain technology and decentralized finance. With significant funding secured by companies like Securitize, Agora, Moso, Hinkal, and X10, the future looks promising for the continued growth and innovation in the cryptocurrency sector. As these companies expand their operations and develop new solutions, they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital finance.