Investing in Blockchain and Metaverse Boom
Securities companies are increasing their investments in blockchain, virtual asset and metaverse startups.
For instance, Mirae Asset Securities made a series B investment in bHaptics on Feb. 15. bHaptics connects the tactile sensation to content and sells related products such as vests and warmers.
On March 11, Korea Investment & Securities and Hana Financial Investment made a series A investment in Lucentblock. The blockchain-based proptech firm was founded in March 2018 and developed the Sou exchange in which investors can invest in commercial real estate properties like in stocks.
SK Securities invested 6.5 billion won in M2S on March 8. This startup provides VR-based ophthalmic instruments and AI-based eye health solutions. On March 22, KB Securities and KTB Investment participated in a series C investment in AI startup OnePredict. In February last year, Hanwha Investment & Securities acquired 6.14 percent of Dunamu, which runs cryptocurrency exchange UPbit.
Some of the securities companies are doing blockchain and virtual asset businesses on their own while investing in startups in the industries. For example, Mirae Asset Securities is planning to set up a corporation to cover virtual assets and the corporation is likely to be a coin bank in which virtual assets are entrusted. SK Securities formed a blockchain team this month and the team has published blockchain- and virtual asset-related reports.