Hashed Ventures, a leading digital-asset firm based in Seoul, South Korea, is expanding its presence in Abu Dhabi, capitalizing on the emirate’s favorable regulatory environment for crypto businesses. Partnering with Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem Hub71, Hashed aims to introduce Korean startups, particularly in financial technology and digital assets, to the UAE market. The firm plans to establish an office in Abu Dhabi and explore fundraising opportunities in the region, according to Simon Seo-Joon Kim, CEO and Managing Partner of Hashed.
Founded in 2017 and managing approximately $700 million in assets, Hashed operates globally with offices in San Francisco and Singapore. Kim highlighted challenges in South Korea’s startup environment, motivating Hashed to seek international expansion.
The UAE, known for its proactive stance in attracting crypto enterprises, has already drawn major players like Binance and OKX. Hub71, located in Abu Dhabi Global Market, has committed over $2 billion to support Web3 startups and blockchain technologies.
“We are eager to facilitate the entry of Korean startups into Abu Dhabi and attract cutting-edge Web3 and digital asset technologies to the UAE capital,” noted Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71.
Hashed is currently assisting several South Korean firms valued at over $1 billion to enter the Abu Dhabi market, leveraging the UAE’s supportive regulatory framework for Web3 startups.
Kim emphasized the cultural affinity between South Korea and the UAE, citing Korean pop culture and previous collaborations in infrastructure projects, as additional advantages for Korean startups expanding into the Middle East.
While headquartered in Seoul, Hashed’s diverse portfolio includes global entities such as Yuga Labs, dYdX, Axie Infinity, and previous investments like TerraUSD.
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