Key Takeaways
- • Deus X Capital, a crypto and fintech investment firm, will cease operations and formally unwind on Jan. 31, 2027, as its backers pursue separate strategies, according to the company's statement to CoinDesk.
- • CEO Tim Grant, formerly head of Galaxy Digital's EMEA business, will become CEO of TensorX, an AI venture within Darius owned by co-founder Shane Morton.
- • The Morton family is splitting its investment activities: Shane Morton is launching Darius Cubed Ventures (AI-focused), while Owen and Jason Morton are setting up Ninetyfive (markets and fintech).
- • Deus X reported annual returns of 36.5% since inception but declined to disclose total capital; it launched with $1 billion in existing investments and deployable capital in October 2023.
- • CIO Stuart Connolly will remain to oversee the wind-down, and some portfolio businesses will continue with existing stakeholders' involvement.
Summary
Crypto and fintech investment firm Deus X Capital has ceased operations as its backers pursue separate investment strategies, the company told CoinDesk. The firm will formally unwind on Jan. 31, 2027. Chief Investment Officer Stuart Connolly will stay on to oversee the transition, and some portfolio businesses will continue operating with the involvement of existing stakeholders.
The family office-backed firm was led by CEO Tim Grant, who previously led Galaxy Digital's Europe, Middle East and Africa business before joining Deus X. The Morton family investors behind the firm are dividing their activities. Shane Morton is establishing Darius Cubed Ventures, focused on artificial intelligence, while Owen and Jason Morton are setting up Ninetyfive, focused on markets and fintech. Grant will become CEO of TensorX, an AI venture within Darius owned by Shane Morton. "We want to be a prominent player in AI in Europe," Grant told CoinDesk.
The wind-down comes as crypto faces growing competition from artificial intelligence for investor attention and capital. Galaxy Research said in September that interest in AI was diverting attention from digital assets, adding to venture firms' fundraising challenges.
Deus X debuted in October 2023 with $1 billion in existing investments and capital available for deployment. Its strategy spanned private equity, venture capital and hedge fund allocations across digital assets, blockchain, fintech and institutional capital markets. Initial investments included stakes in Galaxy Digital and asset manager Hilbert Group, alongside allocations to several hedge funds, with a presence in Malta, London and the United Arab Emirates. The firm said it generated annual returns of 36.5% since inception but declined to disclose its total capital. In September 2024 it launched Solstice Labs to develop institutional-grade DeFi products. Its portfolio also included proprietary trading firm Alpha Lab 40 and crypto prime broker Cor Prime, which launched with a $100 million risk-capital commitment from Deus X, per CoinDesk.
The family office-backed firm was led by CEO Tim Grant, who previously led Galaxy Digital's Europe, Middle East and Africa business before joining Deus X. The Morton family investors behind the firm are dividing their activities. Shane Morton is establishing Darius Cubed Ventures, focused on artificial intelligence, while Owen and Jason Morton are setting up Ninetyfive, focused on markets and fintech. Grant will become CEO of TensorX, an AI venture within Darius owned by Shane Morton. "We want to be a prominent player in AI in Europe," Grant told CoinDesk.
The wind-down comes as crypto faces growing competition from artificial intelligence for investor attention and capital. Galaxy Research said in September that interest in AI was diverting attention from digital assets, adding to venture firms' fundraising challenges.
Deus X debuted in October 2023 with $1 billion in existing investments and capital available for deployment. Its strategy spanned private equity, venture capital and hedge fund allocations across digital assets, blockchain, fintech and institutional capital markets. Initial investments included stakes in Galaxy Digital and asset manager Hilbert Group, alongside allocations to several hedge funds, with a presence in Malta, London and the United Arab Emirates. The firm said it generated annual returns of 36.5% since inception but declined to disclose its total capital. In September 2024 it launched Solstice Labs to develop institutional-grade DeFi products. Its portfolio also included proprietary trading firm Alpha Lab 40 and crypto prime broker Cor Prime, which launched with a $100 million risk-capital commitment from Deus X, per CoinDesk.
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