Blockchain, Crypto Investment in H1 Topped 2018-20 Full-Year Totals: KPMG

Investment in blockchain and crypto in the first half of 2021 exceeded the total for each of the previous three years, according to a new report by KPMG.

• The "Pulse of Fintech H1'21" report published Thursday by the "Big Four" accounting firm found that investment activity in blockchain and crypto climbed to $8.7 billion through June 30.
• This figure compares with whole-year totals of $7.2 billion, $5 billion and $4.3 billion for 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
• Furthermore, the total was reached from a smaller number of deals, pointing to a greater average value for individual transactions.
• That's a sign of the evolving nature of investors, with more institutional money flowing as awareness and knowledge of the space proliferates.
• KPMG's report singles out the mammoth funding rounds into BlockFi ($350 million), Paxos ($300 million), Blockchain.com ($300 million) and Bitso ($250 million) as examples.
• One of fintech's big winners so far in 2021 has been crypto-focused regulation technology. With greater focus on crypto trading buoyed by soaring values of currencies, there is increased demand for "safe and secure access to investments," according to the report.

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