Asset management firm VanEck has launched a $30 million venture fund to support the crypto and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.

This is the firm's first venture capital fund, although it has made corporate investments in several startups and funds before.

VanEck Fund to Support Early-Stage Startups

The VanEck Ventures fund will invest in early-stage startups to support the development of the crypto and AI industries. This marks the asset manager’s entry into venture capital, reflecting its interest in identifying transformative opportunities early.

“This fund extends our vision into the early-stage venture space. We look forward to supporting the founders of what we believe are some of the most disruptive companies in fintech—those who are building the future of finance,” said VanEck CEO Jan van Eck.

As such, VanEck Ventures will use an investment philosophy that prioritizes teams working at the application layer, while also maintaining an agnostic approach to infrastructure.

The core themes include “tokenized assets, internet-native financial markets, and next-generation payments based on stablecoins and tokenized capital markets.” VanEck’s head of digital asset research, Mathew Siegel, clarified that early-stage projects comprise those in “Series A or earlier.”

Read more: Ethereum ETFs – Understand what they are and how they work

Betting on the advancement of the tech sector

Wyatt Lonergan, who previously led Circle Ventures, will co-lead the fund with Juan Lopez. As managing partner, Lonergan outlined three key areas the fund will explore: stablecoins, tokenization, and AI.

“Three inflection points fundamental to our investment thesis are beginning to reshape the foundation of the internet: stablecoins emerging as an open-source banking layer, the commoditization of the blockchain space, and advances in AI. The convergence of these is creating unprecedented opportunities for globally connected, user-centric financial experiences, and we are excited to back the founders who are building on these innovations,” said Lonergan.

The fund anticipates 25 to 35 investments, with capital ranging from US$500,000 to US$1 million. However, candidates must demonstrate potential for a strong strategic and financial return, with four investments already completed.

It’s important to note that this isn’t VanEck’s first foray into the crypto space. The company is a prominent player in the ETF market, offering institutional investors exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum through its HODL and ETHV products. Additionally, VanEck pioneered the filing of Solana ETFs in the US.

Read more: How to invest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) cryptocurrencies?

Indeed, the latest development signals VanEck’s intention to increase the portion of its assets allocated to crypto. This decision highlights the firm’s leadership in the financial services industry and demonstrates its visionary approach to investing in technologies that have the potential to transform global markets.

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