Djarum Targets Crypto Market, Invests in Easy Crypto

Djarum Group's venture capital GDP Venture and Nuance Connected Capital led a US$12 million Series A funding round for Easy Crypto, a New Zealand crypto marketplace. Other investors participating in the funding are pension fund manager Pathfinder KiwiSaver, Icehouse Ventures, and Even Capital from New Zealand, in addition to US-based Hutt Capital and Seven Peaks Ventures.

Easy Crypto CEO Janine Grainger said the funding would accelerate Easy Crypto's development to expand its operations into new markets. Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries are their target market. "Millions of Indonesians own crypto. Easy Crypto makes buying and selling crypto easier. We partnered with Nuance Connected Capital and Easy Crypto to enter the Indonesian market," GDP Ventures Chief Technology Officer On Lee said on Monday.

The Series A funding is the largest first-round funding ever collected by a New Zealand startup. Easy Crypto previously raised funding from angel investors and seed capital from foreign investors.