Hard Yaka

Hard Yaka is an investment firm based in Crystal Bay, Nevada, founded in 2010. It pursues technology investments across private equity and venture capital, including buyouts and distressed opportunities, and it frequently seeks majority stakes. The firm focuses on digital transformation infrastructure, including portable identity, payments, marketplaces, and regtech, and also backs early-stage opportunities in exchange space startups, targeting verticals within exchange markets as well as horizontals such as messaging and payments across exchange sectors.

Pep Gomez

Partner

Jun Hiraga

Managing Partner

Kevin Leiske JD

Partner

Margaret Slemmer

Investor

Katie Sullivan

Partner

Past deals in Bitcoin

Blockdaemon

Series A in 2021
Blockdaemon facilitates blockchain deployment by offering a node management platform that supports over 30 protocols. It empowers businesses and developers to quickly launch and manage blockchain applications, with tools for exchanges, custodians, and financial institutions.

Coinme

Venture Round in 2020
Coinme operates the largest licensed cryptocurrency cash exchange in the United States, providing a nationwide network of bitcoin ATMs, a digital wallet, and exchange services. Through partnerships with Coinstar and MoneyGram, customers can buy and sell bitcoin with cash at thousands of locations in 48 states. The company also offers an enterprise-grade API and tools that enable legacy financial systems and merchants to crypto-enable their operations, along with consumer products to buy, store, and manage digital currencies. Founded in 2014 and based in Seattle, Coinme aims to broaden access to digital currencies and facilitate easy, secure transactions.

ShapeShift

Seed Round in 2016
ShapeShift is a digital currency exchange platform established in July 2014, designed to facilitate the instant conversion of Bitcoin and various altcoins. The platform distinguishes itself by allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies without the need for user accounts or registration, thereby enhancing privacy and reducing risks associated with personal information and funds. In the summer of 2019, ShapeShift introduced a new platform that empowers users to self-custody their crypto assets while providing functionalities to buy, sell, trade, track, send, and receive cryptocurrencies independently of third-party involvement. Additionally, the company operates CoinCap.io, a real-time crypto market data service, and acquired the hardware wallet company KeepKey in 2017. ShapeShift is led by industry veteran Erik Voorhees.

Bitso

Seed Round in 2015
Founded in 2014, Bitso is a cryptocurrency exchange platform headquartered in Mexico City. It enables users to buy, sell, and trade various cryptocurrencies securely using their mobile devices or other devices.

37coins

Venture Round in 2014
37coins is a bitcoin startup based in Sunnyvale, California, focused on providing SMS bitcoin wallet services to unbanked and underserved populations in developing economies who lack Internet access. By enabling individuals to send and receive money via SMS, 37coins aims to enhance financial inclusion globally. The company has launched its services and is currently part of the Plug and Play Tech Center's bitcoin accelerator program. It also allows users with Internet access to sign up as gateway operators, facilitating transactions and earning fees in the process. With growing partnerships in regions such as Singapore and the Philippines, 37coins strives to make bitcoin more accessible through its user-friendly SMS technology.

Bitso

Venture Round in 2014
Founded in 2014, Bitso is a cryptocurrency exchange platform headquartered in Mexico City. It enables users to buy, sell, and trade various cryptocurrencies securely using their mobile devices or other devices.

TradeBlock

Seed Round in 2014
TradeBlock Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in New York, specializes in developing institutional trading tools for digital currencies. The company provides financial institutions with execution and analysis tools tailored to cryptocurrency markets, offering global market data insights on trading, regulations, mining, blockchain analysis, protocol updates, and economic developments. As of December 2020, TradeBlock operates as a subsidiary of CoinDesk LLC.

LedgerX

Series A in 2014
LedgerX LLC is a developer of an institutional derivatives exchange platform specifically for digital currencies. Founded in 2014 and based in Vail, Colorado, the company operates as a subsidiary of NYBX LLC. LedgerX has applied for registration with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to function as a swap execution facility and derivatives clearing organization. The platform is designed to facilitate smooth trading in cryptocurrency futures and options, offering features such as physical settlement of contracts, block trading, and algorithmic trading. This enables both individual traders and institutions to transact in cryptocurrencies with increased efficiency and regulatory oversight.

Coinbase

Seed Round in 2012
Founded in 2012, Coinbase operates a platform enabling merchants and consumers to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It offers products such as Coinbase Wallet, USD Coin, Coinbase Pro, and custody services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.