Earlier this week, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing revealed that a leading blockchain investment company has raised more than $71 million from approximately 90 investors for its third crypto fund. The same blockchain investment company raised $13 million for its crypto fund in 2016 and $25 million for its initial coin offering fund in 2017. In related news, two portfolio companies from a major online retailer's crypto fund made key announcements. The first portfolio company, which raised $134 million in a security token offering, revealed that a Hong Kong-based equity firm agreed to invest an additional $400 million in the company in exchange for equity. The other portfolio company, a Barbados-based blockchain startup, announced plans to partner with a Caribbean-based bank to issue a central bank-backed digital currency and test know-your-customer/anti-money laundering technology.

In Singapore, a venture capital firm announced plans to launch a $10 million crypto fund. According to The New York Times, this fund will invest in early-stage companies globally such as cryptocurrency exchanges and security providers. Meanwhile, a New York-based blockchain company recently completed a $32 million Series B funding round and announced plans to expand its user base and further develop its auditable distributed ledger-based network, data synchronization technology and Ethereum-compatible smart contracting language.

This week Coinbase announced its acquisition of a decentralized identity solution startup company. The company will join Coinbase's identity team and intends to use blockchain technology to develop new and innovative ways of verifying and validating identity. Also this week, a leading mobile payment platform announced the expansion of its service to allow customers to buy and sell bitcoins in all 50 U.S. states.

To read more about the topics covered in this week's post, see the following:

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.