Weekly Roundup
Venture Capital Investment in Crypto: Venture capitalists are pouring money into digital currency and blockchain startups at a pace that’s set to outstrip last year’s record. In the first half of the year, VCs bet $17.5 billion on such firms, according to data from PitchBook, putting investment on course to top the record $26.9 billion raised last year.
Global Blockchain Group: Investment bank Moelis & Co. announced the launch of its Global Blockchain Group which will provide bespoke advisory services to both corporations utilizing blockchain as well as emerging and leading blockchain companies, including those seeking to build a presence in Web3.
‘Crypto Bro’: A study by stock and crypto broker Forex found that of the 32 biggest crypto companies in the world, 100% had male CEOs; and eight of the top companies in the crypto space lacked a single female board member.
SGX / NYSE: The Singapore Exchange has announced a collaboration with the New York Stock Exchangethat will include efforts to develop new exchange traded funds, as well as environmental, social and governance products.
Retail Investors and Private Equity: eToro announced the launch of its Private Equity Smart Portfolio, the latest addition to its suite of themed portfolios providing retail investors access to opportunities within private markets.
Solana Retail Store: Solana is opening a permanent physical retail space located in Hudson Yards, New York dedicated to onboarding onlookers and educating anyone new to the crypto space.
Crypto Insider Trading: Federal authorities filed criminal and civil charges against a former Coinbase employee and two other men in an insider trading case involving confidential information about cryptocurrency assets that were about to be posted on Coinbase’s exchange. This is the first time criminal insider-trading charges have been filed that involve cryptocurrency assets.
In the Mix: This Week’s Top FinTech Thought Leader
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Sean Hagerty, Managing Director for Europe, Vanguard, spoke on Bloomberg’s Daybreak podcast about how retail investors are staying the course and not changing their behavior in the face of recession fears and rampant inflation.
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Akshi Federici, Partner, Kraken Ventures, said fintech, financial services and blockchain will be “inseparable” and “indistinguishable,” laying out a vision of the future during her talk at the Ethereum Community Conference in Paris.