- VanEck Ventures launched a $30 million fund to invest in pre-seed and seed-stage fintech, crypto, and AI startups.
- The fund will focus on tokenized assets, stablecoin-based payments, and financial marketplaces.
- VanEck Ventures aims to make 25-35 investments, with capital ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per project.
VanEck, a prominent issuer of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States, has announced the launch of VanEck Ventures, a $30 million fund dedicated to supporting early-stage startups in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence (AI), and financial technology. The announcement was made on October 9, signaling the company’s continued focus on emerging technologies.
VanEck Ventures to Invest in Fintech and Crypto Startups
VanEck’s new fund will focus on fintech innovations, tokenized assets, stablecoin-based payments, and digital financial marketplaces. Led by former Circle Ventures executives Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez, VanEck Ventures aims to make significant investments in the pre-seed and seed stages of companies shaping the future of finance.
At Circle Ventures, Lonergan and Lopez were instrumental in investing over $50 million in early-stage companies across a range of sectors, from infrastructure to consumer applications. The duo will now lead VanEck’s venture fund, which anticipates making 25 to 35 investments with capital ranging from $500,000 to $1 million for each project.
Vision for the Future of Finance
VanEck Ventures will emphasize the role of stablecoins as a foundational element in financial innovation, with Lonergan noting that stablecoins could become an “open-source banking layer.” The fund’s investments are expected to support both equity stakes and tokens linked to promising projects. So far, four investments have been made, with further announcements to come.
VanEck CEO Jan van Eck highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to disruptive technologies, stating, “This fund extends our vision into the early-stage venture space. We look forward to supporting founders of the most disruptive companies in fintech and finance.”
