Hard Yaka

Hard Yaka, Inc. is a private equity firm founded in 2010 and headquartered in Crystal Bay, Nevada. The firm specializes in buyout and distressed investments, focusing on early-stage opportunities in sectors related to digital transformation. Hard Yaka targets investments in portable identity, payments, marketplaces, and regulatory technology companies, often seeking to acquire majority stakes. Additionally, the firm is interested in exchange space startups, whether they operate within specific market verticals or provide horizontal services such as messaging and payments across various exchange sectors.

Jun Hiraga

Partner

Margaret Slemmer

Partner, Co-COO

Past deals in Crypto

Terminal 3

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Terminal 3 is a data storage and access platform that makes Web3 user data freely composable while remaining private and secure.

Omnumi

Seed Round in 2023
Omnumi is a blockchain-based platform that specializes in digital asset and payment infrastructure, emphasizing identity and compliance. It is distinguished as the first platform to integrate digital identity into a fully compliant blockchain system, allowing users to control their digital assets effectively. By offering simple APIs and digital wallets, Omnumi facilitates the execution of financial disbursements. The platform aims to serve as a trusted intermediary for financial transactions, thereby building confidence among global, regional, and national banking networks and regulators in its operational integrity.

Decaf

Seed Round in 2022
Decaf is a digital ledger technology platform that focuses on facilitating secure and transparent payments through blockchain technology. The platform enables users to send and receive money in seconds, significantly reducing transaction times compared to traditional methods. With its user-friendly interface, Decaf provides businesses with a digital wallet and point of sale infrastructure, allowing them to accept and convert cryptocurrency seamlessly. Each transaction is recorded immutably on the blockchain, ensuring a high level of security and transparency for all users.

Unstoppable Domains

Series A in 2022
Unstoppable Domains Inc. specializes in providing blockchain-based domain names and services that enhance digital identity and online presence. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company offers NFT domains that enable users to establish uncensorable websites and control their digital identities. By allowing individuals to replace complex cryptocurrency addresses with easily readable names, Unstoppable Domains facilitates seamless interactions across more than 150 Web3 applications. Its decentralized domain registry ensures that websites and digital assets remain secure and resistant to censorship by authorities or traditional domain providers, empowering users to send and receive payments without the risk of takedown.

Mask Network

Venture Round in 2022
Mask Network is a platform that facilitates interaction between traditional social networks and decentralized technologies. Founded in 2017 and based in Shanghai, China, it enables users to send encrypted messages, share files, and transact in cryptocurrencies directly through familiar platforms like Twitter. The network acts as a decentralized portal, allowing users to access decentralized applications (DApps) for various purposes, including peer-to-peer payments, decentralized finance, and e-commerce involving digital goods and NFTs, without needing to migrate from existing social media. Additionally, Mask Network supports Gitcoin funding campaigns, enhancing the ability to contribute to projects directly from social media platforms. Through its innovative features, Mask Network aims to create a seamless blend of Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 experiences.

Unifimoney

Seed Round in 2022
Unifimoney is a digital wealth management platform tailored for community banks and credit unions, offering a comprehensive solution for money management. The platform supports over 70 cryptocurrencies, as well as the passive and active investment of more than 10,000 equities, ETFs, and precious metals. By integrating seamlessly with existing digital banking infrastructures, including Q2 and Jack Henry Banno, Unifimoney provides a low-cost and efficient option for financial institutions to enhance their service offerings. Its software simplifies everyday money management and helps maximize passive income, allowing customers to manage their wealth effectively for long-term growth through a single app that encompasses investing, trading, insurance, and credit services.

Holaplex

Seed Round in 2021
Holaplex provides independent artists, musicians, and creators with simple, free tools to make and sell NFTs while providing NFT buyers and collectors with over 2,000 stores to discover up-and-coming projects and fast-rising artists. In addition to enabling creators to build their own NFT stores and marketplaces quickly, with no-code, Holaplex leverages and contributes to the NFT protocol Metaplex, which delivers fast, low-cost NFT creation on the Solana blockchain.

Goin

Seed Round in 2021
Goin is a mobile application focused on enhancing users' financial health by integrating with their traditional banking systems. The app offers a range of innovative tools that assist users in saving, investing, and smart shopping. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, Goin analyzes users' banking information and spending habits to provide personalized insights and recommendations. It encourages users to accumulate savings through small daily actions, such as rounding up their payments. Additionally, Goin enables users to easily transfer funds to various investment options, including cryptocurrencies and equity funds, as well as manage their finances more effectively. Through these features, Goin aims to empower users to improve their financial well-being and lifestyle.

NFTpay

Seed Round in 2021
Creatify is a platform for buying and selling non-fungible tokens. Creatify was founded in 2021 and was headquartered in San Francisco, California.

DoinGud

Seed Round in 2021
DoinGud operates an online marketplace and social platform centered on non-fungible tokens (NFTs), based in Zug, Switzerland. It serves a diverse range of users, including artists promoting their works, collectors seeking new products, and businesses pursuing sustainability goals. The platform leverages blockchain technology to foster a collaborative ecosystem that connects artists with their communities, enabling them to sell their creations while simultaneously supporting social impact organizations. Through this model, DoinGud encourages creators and social enterprises to collaborate, aiming to establish a self-sustaining environment that generates positive social change.

Figment Capital

Series B in 2021
Figment Networks Inc. is a leading blockchain infrastructure and software provider based in Toronto, Canada, established in 2018. The company develops and operates an open-source crypto network, focusing on enhancing community engagement through tools that facilitate understanding of network health and performance for informed staking decisions. Figment supports various crypto networks, including Tezos, Cosmos, Livepeer, and Horizen. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, such as enterprise-grade node and staking infrastructure, the Hubble Web 3 explorer, and DataHub developer APIs, aimed at simplifying the use, development, and governance of blockchains for token holders and developers alike. Additionally, Figment publishes open-source software and economic research to further benefit the blockchain community.

Securitize

Series B in 2021
Securitize is modernizing capital markets by enabling digital securities, making it easier for eligible investors to own, manage, and trade digital securities within designated capital markets for equity, funds, fixed income, and real estate. Securitize is the only SEC Registered Transfer Agent integrated with multiple regulated US-based marketplaces with a working protocol and live issuers. The company also offers KYC/AML and capital management services. Securitize, Inc. is not a registered broker-dealer and does not make any endorsement of offerings.

Blockdaemon

Series A in 2021
Blockdaemon Inc. is a company that develops a blockchain node management platform, enabling businesses, enterprises, and developers to efficiently deploy and manage blockchain applications. The platform supports over 30 blockchain protocols, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Tezos, and Polkadot, offering tools for exchanges, custodians, and financial institutions. Blockdaemon's solution is designed for flexibility, allowing users to switch between networks and chains easily, thus simplifying the configuration process. The company also provides valuable dev-ops guidance to support the blockchain developer ecosystem. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Blockdaemon has additional offices in New York and Ireland.

Noble Money

Seed Round in 2021
Noble Money is a digital currency company focused on making sound money accessible to everyone. The company aims to promote the adoption of digital currencies, beginning with governmental integration. By specializing in digital currency tokenization, Noble Money seeks to enhance the usability and scalability of these currencies, thereby facilitating broader acceptance and implementation in various sectors.

TAP Network

Series A in 2020
TAP Network is a technology company focused on creating blockchain-powered software solutions for enterprise clients across various sectors, including entertainment, travel, and banking. It operates a Micro-Redemption Marketplace that features over 250,000 brands and merchants, allowing consumers to redeem loyalty points, cryptocurrencies, and real-world products and services for as little as $0.25. Co-founded by Lin Dai and Jared Christopherson, TAP Network aims to enhance consumer engagement and profitability for its enterprise partners by providing rewarding opportunities for everyday consumers. The company is recognized as a pioneer in decentralized advertising, leveraging its platform to facilitate discounts and cashback on transactions.

Puma Browser

Seed Round in 2020
Puma Browser is a mobile application that combines a web browser and wallet specifically designed for the Web3 ecosystem, emphasizing user privacy. It supports decentralized protocols such as IPFS, HNS, and ENS, facilitating seamless payments for content creators, app developers, and game developers. By integrating web monetization capabilities, Puma Browser offers a premium, private, and distraction-free browsing experience. The company aims to provide access to a peer-to-peer and ownership-based economy, ultimately striving to empower one billion users with its innovative platform.

Sorare

Seed Round in 2020
Sorare is a Paris-based company that operates a global fantasy football game, allowing users to manage soccer teams using official digital collectible cards. Founded in December 2018, Sorare's platform utilizes blockchain technology to facilitate the trading of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), making it possible for fans to collect, buy, and sell virtual player cards. The platform aims to make cryptocurrency engaging and accessible through the lens of fantasy football. In December 2020, Sorare reported sales of $1.8 million in digital cards, highlighting its growing popularity in the realm of sports collectibles and online gaming.

Goin

Venture Round in 2020
Goin is a mobile application focused on enhancing users' financial health by integrating with their traditional banking systems. The app offers a range of innovative tools that assist users in saving, investing, and smart shopping. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, Goin analyzes users' banking information and spending habits to provide personalized insights and recommendations. It encourages users to accumulate savings through small daily actions, such as rounding up their payments. Additionally, Goin enables users to easily transfer funds to various investment options, including cryptocurrencies and equity funds, as well as manage their finances more effectively. Through these features, Goin aims to empower users to improve their financial well-being and lifestyle.

Xertify

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Xertify is a blockchain-based platform that enables individuals and institutions to exchange trusted digital credentials. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Bogota, Colombia, Xertify allows users to issue certificates in multiple languages, promoting seamless consultation across borders. The platform digitizes a variety of documents and processes that require legal registration, ensuring their validity. Additionally, Xertify provides virtual folders for secure management of all digital documents and certificates, offering institutions a private and practical digital wallet solution.

TomoCredit

Seed Round in 2019
TomoCredit LLC is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on providing credit solutions for individuals with no credit history or score, particularly targeting Millennials and immigrant populations. Founded in 2018, the company uses alternative data sources analyzed through a proprietary algorithm to assess creditworthiness, allowing users to build their credit and qualify for loans. TomoCredit's product includes a digital credit card that not only helps users establish credit but also offers the opportunity to earn rewards in cryptocurrency. Additionally, the company provides a mobile application that facilitates account management and enhances user engagement. The founding team, comprised of professionals with backgrounds from notable organizations such as Coinbase and Google, aims to address the challenges faced by foreign nationals in obtaining credit.

Kava Labs

Seed Round in 2019
Kava Labs Inc. is a provider of interledger solutions, focusing on enhancing the interoperability of blockchains, wallets, and exchanges. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Kava operates a decentralized platform that offers a comprehensive range of financial services tailored for cryptocurrencies. As digital assets gain wider acceptance, Kava aims to fill the gap in traditional financial offerings by providing products such as money markets, loans, stablecoins, and high-yield accounts for crypto assets. By leveraging autonomous software, Kava's platform eliminates the need for intermediaries, allowing users globally to access financial services without incurring additional fees. This approach enables users to optimize their digital assets and generate returns in an evolving financial landscape.

Uphold

Series C in 2019
Uphold, Inc. operates a cloud-based financial platform that facilitates the movement, conversion, and management of money and commodities. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, the company offers users the ability to add funds via bank transfers, credit and debit cards, or bitcoins, and to send or receive money from various members. Uphold's platform supports the conversion of funds across 84 currencies, including cryptocurrencies, national currencies, commodities, and equities. With a focus on low fees, it allows users to securely hold and transact in their chosen currencies for both personal and business purposes. The platform also features an open API and enables instant peer-to-peer transactions and spending through the Uphold debit MasterCard, which is accepted in over 150 countries. Uphold serves a diverse clientele, including individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations, and connects traditional and digital financial systems through its innovative technology.

Mythical Games

Series A in 2018
Mythical Games Inc. is a game technology studio that focuses on developing blockchain-based games for personal computers, mobile devices, and consoles. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California, with an additional office in Seattle, Washington, the company aims to revolutionize gaming by emphasizing true ownership of digital assets, verifiable scarcity, and integrated secondary markets. Its flagship product, Blankos, is a casual multiplayer game that allows players to buy, trade, and sell their custom designs. Mythical Games also provides tools for content creators and brands to personalize and own game assets, fostering a collaborative environment for players, developers, and creators. The company is dedicated to creating innovative gaming experiences that leverage distributed ledger technology, thereby enhancing consumer engagement and participation in the gaming ecosystem.

Cogni

Seed Round in 2018
Cogni is a New York-based company that provides a digital banking platform designed to serve pan-European businesses. It offers multi-currency business accounts linked to artificial intelligence-driven financial tools. The platform aims to simplify and automate virtual payments, providing users with an accessible financial service that integrates traditional finance, decentralized finance, and lifestyle needs such as booking hotels, flights, and movie tickets. By leveraging machine learning and AI, Cogni seeks to enhance the banking experience, making financial management easier and more transparent for its customers.

Nodle

Seed Round in 2018
Nodle is a decentralized network that utilizes mobile phones to create a programmable infrastructure known as Smart Missions, which interact with their surroundings in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. The network operates using the NODL token, facilitating tasks such as asset location through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. This application has been adopted by an insurance company for tracking vehicles and by logistics clients for package tracking. Nodle prioritizes user privacy while also enabling various functionalities, such as certifying the origin of media content and verifying attendance at events. Additionally, the platform offers developers a networking stack for enhancing local and social interactions, making it a versatile tool for connecting the physical world to Web3 applications.

Snowball Money

Seed Round in 2018
Snowball Money operates as a crypto investment automation platform that provides access to professionally curated portfolios. It enables access to professionally curated portfolios, empowering everyone to invest like accredited investors. The platform is offering one, safe, easy-to-use place to invest in tax-optimized crypto portfolios or bundles that pay interest. The company was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Lightning Labs

Seed Round in 2018
Lightning Labs is focused on creating advanced decentralized financial infrastructure utilizing blockchain technology and smart contracts. The company has developed the Lightning Network Daemon (lnd), which serves as a leading implementation of the Lightning Network protocol, allowing for efficient and private transactions. Additionally, Lightning Labs offers Neutrino, an open platform that enables users to conduct blockchain and Lightning Network transactions easily via mobile devices. By enhancing the capabilities of cryptocurrency transactions, Lightning Labs aims to facilitate financial cooperation globally, making transactions accessible and efficient for users of all sizes.

ShapeShift

Seed Round in 2016
ShapeShift is a digital currency exchange platform established in July 2014, designed to facilitate instant conversion between Bitcoin and various altcoins while prioritizing consumer protection and efficiency. In 2019, ShapeShift introduced a new platform that allows users to self-custody their cryptocurrency assets, enabling them to buy, sell, trade, track, send, and receive digital currencies without relying on third-party services. This approach enhances user security by eliminating the need for user accounts and registration, thereby safeguarding both funds and personal information. Additionally, ShapeShift operates CoinCap.io, a real-time cryptocurrency market data service, and acquired the hardware wallet company KeepKey in 2017. The company is led by Erik Voorhees, a notable figure in the cryptocurrency industry.

MONI

Seed Round in 2015
MONI is building the bridge between the now and the future of banking and financial services. Our mission is to provide simple low-cost mobile personal banking tools for everyone, everywhere – and credit in real-time. We do not believe in the anarchy of destructing the old, we believe in future-proof evolution. We are building a hub connecting the current banking, payment and credit provisioning systems to new technologies such as cryptocurrencies. Our technology reduces system complexity, cuts out middlemen, reduces costs for all parties, and decreases fraud. MONI technology, accessible from any feature or smartphone, enables every citizen to identify themselves and provides them with basic financial services. Our technology works today, on any carrier network, anywhere in the world.

Bitso

Seed Round in 2015
Bitso is a cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Mexico City. It enables users to buy and sell various cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ether, through a user-friendly marketplace. The platform allows customers to trade fractions of cryptocurrencies and make payments using their mobile devices, facilitating seamless transactions in the growing fintech and blockchain sectors. Bitso's focus on accessibility and ease of use positions it as a significant player in the cryptocurrency landscape in Latin America.

Ledger

Seed Round in 2015
Ledger is a company that specializes in security and infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications, catering to both individuals and businesses. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Paris, Ledger has gained recognition for its innovative line of hardware security devices, having sold over one million units across more than 165 countries. The company's offerings include hardware wallets and a fully managed SaaS solution called Vault, designed to protect large volumes of cryptocurrencies while addressing cybersecurity threats. Additionally, Ledger is involved in the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) sector, applying its secure hardware technology to connect sensors and machines with blockchain-based assets. The company also operates a production facility in Vierzon, France, and maintains offices in San Francisco.

Lukka

Seed Round in 2014
Lukka, Inc. is a blockchain-native technology company based in New York that provides middle and back office solutions tailored for the crypto-asset ecosystem. Established in 2014, Lukka specializes in managing and processing complex blockchain and cryptocurrency data, delivering tools that enhance accounting, auditing, tax reporting, and compliance for various entities, including funds and exchanges. Its key offerings include LukkaTax, which simplifies tax calculations for cryptocurrency transactions, and LukkaCrypto Office, a back-office solution designed to manage crypto assets with features for pricing, valuation, and reporting. Additionally, Lukka Reference Data provides normalized data for crypto assets, ensuring consistency and accuracy for enterprise applications. The company's solutions facilitate real-time visibility into crypto transaction activities, helping institutions meet their reporting and compliance needs efficiently.

37coins

Venture Round in 2014
37coins is a bitcoin startup based in Sunnyvale, California and currently a participant of Plug and Play Tech Center's bitcoin accelerator program. It provides SMS bitcoin wallet service for the unbanked and unteched in developing economies without Internet access. Individuals with the Internet can sign up to be gateway operator to meditate the transaction and to earn fee. Launched in March, 37coins has growing partnerships worldwide in Singapore and Philippines and hopes to make bitcoin more accessible to the global population with its seamless SMS technology.

Bitso

Venture Round in 2014
Bitso is a cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Mexico City. It enables users to buy and sell various cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ether, through a user-friendly marketplace. The platform allows customers to trade fractions of cryptocurrencies and make payments using their mobile devices, facilitating seamless transactions in the growing fintech and blockchain sectors. Bitso's focus on accessibility and ease of use positions it as a significant player in the cryptocurrency landscape in Latin America.

TradeBlock

Seed Round in 2014
TradeBlock, Inc. is a New York-based company that specializes in developing institutional trading tools for digital currencies. Founded in 2013, it provides financial institutions with a comprehensive suite of execution and analysis tools tailored for the digital currency markets. TradeBlock serves as a global source of data, offering insights on market trends, cryptocurrency trading, regulations, mining, protocol updates, blockchain analysis, and economic developments. As of December 31, 2020, TradeBlock operates as a subsidiary of CoinDesk LLC.

Filecoin

Seed Round in 2014
Filecoin is a data storage network and electronic currency based on Bitcoin.

LedgerX

Series A in 2014
LedgerX LLC operates an online institutional derivatives exchange platform for digital currencies, facilitating smooth trading of futures and options. Founded in 2014 and based in New York, the company has sought 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 support physical settlement of contracts, block trading, and algorithmic trading, catering to both individual traders and institutions in the cryptocurrency market. As a subsidiary of NYBX LLC, LedgerX aims to enhance the trading experience in the evolving digital currency landscape.

Wyre

Seed Round in 2014
Wyre is a San Francisco-based company specializing in blockchain-based payment solutions aimed at transforming international payment processes. Founded in 2013, Wyre's platform facilitates real-time payouts, same-day transfers, and direct-to-bank transactions, allowing businesses to efficiently transfer funds across borders at competitive foreign exchange rates. The platform simplifies the payment experience for users by enabling account creation without the burdens of high fees, hidden costs, or complicated timing. Additionally, Wyre offers onramps and off-ramps, foreign exchange services, and crypto liquidity to support various crypto projects, including decentralized exchanges. As part of its broader operations, Wyre Capital invests in digital currencies and companies developing innovative financial services infrastructure.

nanopay

Seed Round in 2013
nanopay is a global payments technology company offering payment and liquidity management products for businesses and banks. Our technology differentiates us. Our platform is built on hybrid blockchain technology that improves throughput, simplifies governance, and reduces cost. Our mission inspires us. Our long-term goal is to lead the world’s transition to digital cash.

Coinbase Ventures

Seed Round in 2012
Coinbase, Inc. is a digital currency platform that enables merchants, consumers, and traders to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company offers a range of services including a user-friendly website for transactions, a digital wallet, and merchant payment processing tools. These offerings facilitate seamless transactions for users and support a variety of online businesses. Coinbase's mission is to create an open financial system accessible to individuals worldwide, fostering the adoption of cryptocurrencies and enhancing the overall digital financial landscape.
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