Maelstrom

Maelstrom is a Hong Kong-based venture capital firm with a dedicated focus on the digital asset and cryptocurrency ecosystem. Co-founded by prominent industry figures Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, and Ben Forman, the fund leverages deep expertise and a robust network within the crypto space. Maelstrom aims to identify and back innovative, early-stage projects that are pushing the boundaries of decentralized technologies, aligning with their stated goal of investing in "cool shit" across the sector.

The firm's investment thesis is broad within crypto, encompassing various applications from decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to foundational infrastructure and Web3 gaming. Maelstrom is known for its substantial capital deployment, with typical first checks ranging from $10 million to $100 million. This significant check size positions Maelstrom as a key partner for nascent projects seeking substantial early-stage funding to scale their operations and accelerate development within the competitive digital asset landscape.

Beyond just capital, Maelstrom offers its portfolio companies the strategic insights and extensive network of its founders, particularly Arthur Hayes, whose profound understanding of market dynamics and industry trends is highly valued. The fund was reportedly launched with over $100 million in committed capital, underscoring its capacity to make impactful investments. Its strategic location in Hong Kong also provides a gateway to the broader Asian market, a critical region for crypto innovation and adoption. Maelstrom seeks to be a long-term partner, guiding its portfolio through the volatile yet high-potential landscape of digital assets.