PitchBook data recently compiled for Reuters shows that both corporate funding and venture capital investments are still behind blockchain tech, although trust in cryptocurrency has still yet to become a feature of large company investment.
Corporate investment in Bitcoin is seen very much like the Holy Grail of the cryptocurrency industry, and to date, the big money is aimed at blockchain technology, although the application for the tech is not as widespread as some advocates would suggest.
However, the future is looking bright with this new data illustrating just how much corporates have softened towards the crypto market, despite avoiding the actual cryptocurrencies themselves. Funds heading in the direction of crypto and blockchain startups are now to the tune of USD 850 million this year to April, and some of this interest has come from high tech companies.
The Catch 22 continues for Bitcoin though, as large companies wait to see if Bitcoin can break through to gain wider adoption despite its fall in value. For many, the perception is that it is only corporate acceptance that can give the market impetus to drive crypto forward to new levels moving forward.
Despite the usual hype, blockchain still needs to find some more sectors in which to operate so that it can be accepted as a viable solution in industry, according to Richard Hay, UK head of fintech at law firm Linklaters, who calls for far more blockchain innovation:
“There are two dynamics at play… We can get something up and running and achieve cost savings, and also look longer term at ways of deploying the technology in more transformative ways.”
Pitchbook data to April also shows that some cooperate investment has been directed at crypto mining gear and exchanges, including the four biggest VC-backed firms by valuation, but Anton Ruddenklau, global co-head of fintech at KPMG feels that although companies are “really enamored” with tokenization, “they are investing as a technological hedge as much as anything”.
One potential crypto industry driver, Bakkt, has already run into problems before its launch. The highly-anticipated cryptocurrency platform has run into trouble with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over its custody plans for clients’ Bitcoin, after raising USD 180 million last year from investors including M12, Microsoft’s venture capital arm.
Follow BitcoinNews.com on Twitter: @bitcoinnewscom
Telegram Alerts from BitcoinNews.com: https://t.me/bconews
Want to advertise or get published on BitcoinNews.com? – View our Media Kit PDF here.
Image Courtesy: Pixabay
