Key Takeaways
- • Multicoin Capital launched a new cryptocurrency fund targeting $250 million in capital commitments, with closure expected by end of Q2 2018.
- • The fund attracted high-profile institutional investors and crypto figures, including Marc Andreessen, Chris Dixon, David Sacks (Craft Ventures), Vy Capital, Passport Capital, Blocktower Capital's Ari Paul, and Civic founder Vinny Lingham, who joined as general partner.
- • Multicoin's investment strategy focuses on blockchain tokens positioned to "reshape the entire global economy," with due diligence centered on protocol analysis, team evaluation, and market opportunity assessment.
- • The firm distinguishes itself through rigorous token research and analysis reports—already completed on IOTA, 0X, Factom, Ripple, and Augur—positioning itself as applying traditional value investing discipline to cryptocurrency markets.
- • The launch coincides with Coinbase's institutional Index Fund for digital assets and a broader market moment: $855 million was invested in cryptocurrency technology developers in 2017, with 63 percent deployed to North America.
Summary
The vehicle attracted backing from prominent venture capital figures and crypto entrepreneurs. Investors include Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon, along with David Sacks and Bill Lee from Craft Ventures, Vy Capital, Passport Capital, Adam Zeplain (mark VC), Ari Paul (Blocktower Capital), and Elad Gil. Notably, Vinny Lingham, founder of cryptocurrency security firm Civic, joined Multicoin Capital as a general partner in late 2017, signaling deepening institutional credibility within the crypto investment space.
Kyle Samani, Multicoin Capital's co-founder and managing partner, articulated the firm's differentiation strategy, stating: "Today there are more than 200 crypto hedge funds in the mix. We stand out by simply doing what other investors like Buffet and Graham did in the stock market. We seek to build a brand and a reputation that accurately mirrors the intellectual rigor we put into each and every position we take." The firm's approach emphasizes fundamental analysis of blockchain protocols, team composition, and market opportunity, departing from speculative trading models that characterized early cryptocurrency investing.
Multicoin's research-driven methodology is evidenced by published token analysis reports covering IOTA, 0X, Factom, Ripple, and Augur. This intellectual capital creation underscores a shift toward professional asset management standards within cryptocurrency venture investing. The fund launch occurs against a broader backdrop of institutional capital deployment: venture investment in cryptocurrency technology developers reached $855 million in 2017, with approximately 63 percent of capital directed to North American projects, according to FinTech Global data. Concurrently, Coinbase launched an institutional Index Fund for accredited US investors, further signaling mainstream financial infrastructure development around digital assets.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.