cryptonewsland.com
- VanEck Ventures launches with $30M to invest in fintech, crypto, and AI startups.
- Led by ex-Circle Ventures principals, VanEck targets 25-35 early-stage investments.
- Focus areas include tokenized assets, digital markets, and stablecoin payment systems.
VanEck, one of the leading international investment companies offering a wide range of financial instruments ETFs, has recently revealed its new initiative, VanEck Ventures.
This new venture fund seeks to invest up to $30m in fintech, crypto, and artificial intelligence-focused startups that still need to raise their Series A funding. The initiative evidences the company’s logical diversification into venture capital, focused on innovations potentially disrupting financial and technological industries.
Let’s be honest: crypto is at a crossroads. Obsession with infrastructure investments and token launches has created an imbalance, diverting attention from products that deliver real value to users. Trust has eroded as too many VCs chase short-term gains with unlocks. What’s… https://t.co/hwfiXUhnRV
— VanEck (@vaneck_us) October 9, 2024
VanEck Ventures plans to focus its investments on several key areas within the fintech sector. These include tokenized assets, online financial markets explicitly designed for the digital age, and advanced payment systems utilizing stablecoins.
By concentrating on these areas, the fund seeks to support the foundational aspects of digital finance, facilitating broader adoption and integration across various sectors.
Leadership and Strategy
Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez, both former principals at Circle Ventures, lead VanEck Ventures. At Circle, they spearheaded investments in over 100 early-stage companies, including infrastructure and consumer applications. Their expertise is expected to guide VanEck Ventures in identifying and nurturing potential fintech, crypto, and AI breakthroughs.
VanEck’s CEO, Jan van Eck, emphasized that the new fund would extend the firm’s long-standing vision of investing in transformative financial technologies. The company is committed to backing visionary entrepreneurs poised to redefine the financial ecosystem. With an initial strategy to make 25 to 35 investments, ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per project, VanEck Ventures has already commenced its operations by funding four undisclosed projects.
Investment Philosophy and Market Outlook
In a market with high stakes and frequent fluctuations, VanEck Ventures aims to distinguish itself by committing to projects that promise long-term value rather than short-lived gains. The fund’s infrastructure-agnostic approach allows it to invest in exceptional teams that lead the development of applications, particularly those built on stablecoin technologies. This area is deemed crucial as stablecoins represent a significant evolution in storing and transferring value digitally.
The creation of VanEck Ventures is well-timed since the crypto market faces regulatory pressures and market pessimism. Nevertheless, VanEck’s top management sees many challenges and impediments to using blockchain and AI technologies. It is convinced that targeted stakes in these spheres can contribute to innovation development and also help create a more effective and liberal financial environment.