ChainCatcher News: Japanese AI startup Sakana AI has raised approximately 30 billion yen (about 214 million USD) in Series A funding, with a company valuation reaching 1.5 billion USD. Founded just a year ago by former Google researchers in July 2023, Sakana AI's funding round included investors such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Nomura Holdings, as well as well-known companies like NEC, Itochu Corporation, KDDI, and Fujitsu.Sakana AI has secured processing time on Japan's supercomputers and is collaborating with multiple organizations to strengthen Japan's AI ecosystem. This aligns with NVIDIA's recent initiative aimed at supporting Japan's sovereign AI projects.

ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, Nomura Holdings' crypto subsidiary Laser Digital is still on track with last year's plan to launch its crypto trading platform in the first quarter of this year, and will reapply for regulatory licenses in Switzerland, Dubai, and other locations.Laser Digital co-founder and CEO Jez Mohideen stated that Laser Digital is interested in becoming a market maker for the acquisition of FTX assets. Laser's new trading platform and market-making services will initially launch with its own capital. (Source link)

ChainCatcher news, November 16, according to Reuters citing sources, SBF attempted to raise $7 billion from investors such as Sequoia Capital, Apollo Global, and TPG Inc. before FTX announced its bankruptcy restructuring, but was rejected. According to messages SBF sent to advisors, he sought help from Japan's Nomura Holdings and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund - Public Investment Fund (PIF).Previously, Reuters cited informed sources revealing that SBF was formulating a rescue plan for FTX of up to $9.4 billion. Among them, the plan aimed to raise $1 billion each from Tron founder Justin Sun, OKX, and Tether, totaling $3 billion; the plan aimed to raise $2 billion from other funds and consortiums; the remaining portion would come from other investors. One of the investors currently negotiating with FTX includes Daniel Loeb's hedge fund Third Point. (source link)

ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, Nomura Holdings' crypto subsidiary Laser Digital plans to slow down its hiring plans. Laser Digital expects to obtain its first license from Dubai in early 2023 and to launch cryptocurrency funds and trading platform trading funds starting in mid-2023.Previously, Laser Digital stated that it would launch a dedicated cryptocurrency trading platform in the first quarter of 2023, with operations including high-frequency trading, market making, and proprietary trading to cater to the needs of institutional clients, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and hedge funds. (The Block)

ChainCatcher news, Nomura Holdings' crypto venture capital division Laser Digital announced that it will launch an independent cryptocurrency trading platform in the first quarter of 2023, which will include high-frequency trading, market making, and proprietary trading to meet the needs of institutional clients, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and hedge funds. Laser Digital plans to increase its team size to 55 people within the next three months. (source link)

According to Chain Catcher, The Block reported that digital asset custody firm Komainu has appointed former head of the Italian Stock Exchange, Nicolas Bertrand, as CEO. Bertrand stated that there are no plans to raise additional funds, and he will attempt to reduce expenses while continuing to focus on innovation.It is reported that Komainu was launched in June 2020 by Nomura Holdings, Ledger, and CoinShares, aiming to provide secure and compliant custody services for institutions. According to a previous report by Chain Catcher, Komainu completed a $25 million Series A funding round last March. (The Block)

Chain Catcher news, blockchain payment company Fnality announced that it has received investment from Nomura Holdings, with the specific amount not disclosed. Fnality stated that it plans to use this investment to expand its influence in the capital markets of Europe, the United States, and Japan.Nomura Holdings will also join the "Global Banking Alliance" initiated by Fnality (focused on establishing a regulated peer-to-peer payment system based on digital assets), with current members including Credit Suisse, the European Clearing Bank, and State Street Corporation.Previous report, Fnality is seeking £50 million (approximately $56 million) in Series B funding, with investment bank Broadhaven Capital Partners assisting in raising the funds. (The Block)

Chain Catcher news, banking giant Nomura Holdings has announced the launch of its cryptocurrency venture capital division, Laser Venture Capital, which will focus on investments in DeFi, CeFi, Web3, and blockchain infrastructure. This division is the first business of Nomura Holdings' Swiss digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital Holdings AG, and will also introduce new businesses around secondary market trading and investment products in the future.According to previous reports, Steve Ashley, head of Nomura's trading and investment banking business, will step down from his current position to oversee cryptocurrency-related operations as the chairman of Laser Digital Holdings AG, while Jez Mohideen, who is currently in charge of cryptocurrency operations, will become the CEO of the subsidiary. (CoinDesk)