Polychain's Assets Drop $376 Million Since August, SEC Filings Show

Polychain, one of the most elite funds serving startups in the crypto industry, is no longer a billion-dollar operation.

AccessTimeIconApr 11, 2019 at 8:45 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 9:04 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

A new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows that prominent venture fund Polychain had $591.5 million in assets under management at the end of March.

That's down considerably since the firm's August 2018 filing, which showed $967.8 million in assets under management. That's a loss in value of $376.4 million.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that the company was no longer a billion-dollar operation.

Polychain is one of the most elite funds serving startups in the crypto industry. Founded by Olaf Carlson-Wee, the first employee of Coinbase, Polychain was among the earliest funds to invest in tokens rather than companies, as CoinDesk reported in 2016.

of the most recent form describes the company as managing five funds: Polychain Master Fund, Polychain Master Fund II, Polychain Ventures, Dfinity Ecosystem Fund and Polychain Opportunities Fund I.

The document acknowledges significant risks in investing in crypto assets, writing:

"There is no assurance that digital assets will maintain their long-term value in terms of purchasing power in the future, or that acceptance of digital asset payments by mainstream retail merchants and commercial businesses will grow."

Polychain did not reply to multiple requests for comment.

Photo of Polychain's Chase Lochmiller via CoinDesk archives

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.