Taisu Ventures and Keio FinTEK Center Launch Keio ChainHack 2026 Focused on Web3 Innovation

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-01-05Last updated on 2026-01-05

Abstract

Taisu Ventures, a global Web3 venture capital firm, has announced Keio ChainHack 2026, a one-day pitch and hackathon co-hosted with the Keio FinTEK Center. The event aims to support early-stage builders working on blockchain infrastructure, regulation, and real-world adoption. It will bring together students, founders, academics, and investors to explore practical blockchain applications. The announcement highlighted several portfolio companies: Helix, which provides institutional infrastructure for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and stablecoins; Lofty, a blockchain-based real estate exchange enabling fractional property ownership; and Pruv, Indonesia’s first licensed platform for permissionless RWA issuance. Each company emphasized Taisu’s active support beyond capital, including strategic partnerships and regulatory guidance. Keio ChainHack 2026 reflects Taisu’s strategy to foster innovation through academic-industry collaboration. Taisu Ventures has over 120 early-stage investments in Web3 sectors and supports the ecosystem through events and founder forums.

Singapore, Singapore, January 5th, 2026, Chainwire

Taisu Ventures, a global Web3 venture capital firm, today announced Keio ChainHack 2026, a one-day pitch and hackathon co-hosted with the Keio FinTEK Center. The event forms part of Taisu Ventures’ broader initiative to support early-stage builders working at the intersection of blockchain infrastructure, regulation, and real-world adoption.

Keio ChainHack 2026 will bring together students, founders, academics, and investors to explore practical applications of blockchain technology and on-chain economic systems. Participation and attendance details are available at https://luma.com/e0pbv2og.

Alongside the event announcement, Taisu Ventures highlighted several portfolio companies that reflect a broader industry trend toward rebuilding real industries on-chain by addressing structural gaps that traditional systems have not solved.

Helix: Building Institutional RWA and Stablecoin Infrastructure

Helix was founded to address a core challenge facing financial institutions exploring blockchain adoption: while demand for tokenized assets and on-chain money flows exists, the institutional infrastructure required to support compliant issuance, custody, reporting, and distribution has historically been fragmented.

Through partnerships with banks, fintechs, and regulated originators, Helix has evolved into a unified orchestration layer spanning structuring, issuance, tokenization, and distribution of real-world assets (RWAs). The platform has been validated through initiatives such as a Malaysia tokenization whitepaper with Kenanga and Saison Capital, Shariah-compliant invoice financing with SILQFi, and a LATAM private credit pipeline via AmFi.

“Taisu doesn’t just invest; they show up, think with us, and connect us with partners who matter,” the Helix team said. “Their support has been essential to our momentum, and to making our pivot possible.”

Lofty: Expanding Access to Real Estate Ownership

Lofty was founded on the insight that real estate investors often face barriers to access rather than a lack of information. After initially developing an AI-driven analytics platform, the company pivoted toward building a blockchain-based real estate exchange that enables fractional ownership and continuous trading of properties.

To deliver this model, Lofty has integrated multiple parts of the real estate value chain, including sourcing, underwriting, transaction execution, and property management. The company is now focused on enabling on-platform leverage through fractional property-backed lending, with the goal of replicating mortgage-driven economics in an on-chain environment.

“Taisu proactively reaches out, asks how they can help, and connects us with the right partners,” said Lofty CEO Jerry Chu. “It’s the kind of support most investors promise, but very few actually deliver.”

Pruv: Unlocking a Licensed RWA Pathway in Indonesia

Pruv emerged from founder Chung Ying Lai’s experience building digital asset infrastructure during the early growth of Southeast Asia’s crypto markets. After multiple market cycles, the team identified the lack of yield-bearing, regulated assets as a key source of instability.

Indonesia offered a unique opportunity, with regulators developing a digital-asset-specific framework separate from traditional securities law. After more than two years of regulatory engagement, Pruv has received formal approval to operate as Indonesia’s first licensed platform for permissionless real-world asset (RWA) issuance. The company now utilizes a hybrid blockchain architecture and facilitates cross-chain asset integration in collaboration with regulated asset managers.

“Taisu has been one of the most engaged partners we work with, consistently proactive, accessible, and willing to support us in ways that go far beyond capital,” said Chung Ying Lai.

Strengthening the Builder Ecosystem

According to Taisu Ventures, Keio ChainHack 2026 reflects the firm’s broader strategy of supporting founders beyond capital by fostering early experimentation, talent development, and collaboration between academia and industry through specialized research and innovation centers such as the Keio FinTEK Center.

About Taisu Ventures

Taisu Ventures is a global Web3 venture capital firm with over 120 early-stage investments across Infrastructure, DeFi, AI/DePIN, IP & Entertainment, and User Platforms. The firm partners with founders building technically complex and regulated blockchain systems and actively supports the ecosystem through events, founder forums, and academic-industry collaborations, including Keio ChainHack 2026, co-hosted with the Keio FinTEK Center (https://luma.com/e0pbv2og).

Founders and builders interested in engaging with Taisu Ventures or submitting projects for investment consideration can find additional information and submit details via the firm’s project submission form here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekoWOZJwUq-bmKc9j1Gs6FtdTsrIo4zS7rqrl7NeXsgAZWxQ/viewform)

Contact

Raphael Ng
[email protected]

Related Questions

QWhat is the Keio ChainHack 2026 and who is co-hosting it?

AKeio ChainHack 2026 is a one-day pitch and hackathon event focused on Web3 innovation, co-hosted by Taisu Ventures and the Keio FinTEK Center.

QWhat is the core challenge that Helix was founded to address for financial institutions?

AHelix was founded to address the fragmented institutional infrastructure required for compliant issuance, custody, reporting, and distribution of tokenized assets and on-chain money flows.

QHow did Lofty pivot from its initial business model and what is its current focus?

ALofty initially developed an AI-driven analytics platform but pivoted to building a blockchain-based real estate exchange for fractional ownership. Its current focus is on enabling on-platform leverage through fractional property-backed lending.

QWhat regulatory achievement has Pruv accomplished in Indonesia and why is it significant?

APruv has received formal approval to operate as Indonesia's first licensed platform for permissionless real-world asset (RWA) issuance. This is significant because it operates under a unique digital-asset-specific regulatory framework separate from traditional securities law.

QBeyond capital investment, how does Taisu Ventures support the Web3 builder ecosystem according to the article?

ATaisu Ventures supports the ecosystem by fostering early experimentation, talent development, and collaboration between academia and industry through events, founder forums, and academic-industry collaborations like the Keio ChainHack.

Related Reads

KOL's Perspective: Why Is SOL Set to Rise from This Point?

**Summary: Why SOL is Positioned for Growth at This Level** The article argues that SOL is poised for an upward move from its current price point, citing several key factors. Primarily, SOL has just broken out of a 4-month consolidation phase. This breakout signals a return of risk appetite to the broader crypto market, as SOL is seen as a key indicator of overall crypto health. The token's ownership has reportedly shifted from short-term traders and tourists to long-term accumulators, leading to low volume. Any meaningful increase in trading activity could thus trigger significant upward momentum. Fundamental strengths include strong institutional adoption, integration with DeFi and RWAs (Real-World Assets), and the potential benefits from the Clarity Act. Despite its high volatility—having dropped 70% from its all-time high but still up 12x from its bear market low—SOL is highlighted as one of the few tokens from the last cycle to reach new highs. It boasts a robust ecosystem of applications, users, and protocols. Future catalysts include the expected influx of AI developers following the Miami Accelerate conference, which focused on AI on Solana. Furthermore, Solana is positioned as the premier chain for memecoin activity, a trend expected to continue and drive network usage and fees. The article concludes that recent price action reflects a healthy transfer to long-term holders, setting the stage for growth.

marsbit5m ago

KOL's Perspective: Why Is SOL Set to Rise from This Point?

marsbit5m ago

Those Pre-Bitcoin PoW Protocols Have Recently Been Reimplemented

This article details a recent surge in replicating pre-Bitcoin Proof-of-Work (PoW) protocols, specifically focusing on Hal Finney's 2004 RPOW (Reusable Proofs of Work). Within five days in May 2026, multiple independent builders in the Bitcoin/cypherpunk community launched projects inspired by this early electronic cash proposal. The initiative began with Fred Krueger's `rpow2.com`, a centralized but auditable system that replaced RPOW's original IBM 4758 hardware with Ed25519 signatures. Initially a faithful replica, it later adopted Bitcoin-like features (21M supply cap, difficulty adjustment) and a controversial 5.24% founder allocation. This sparked rapid forks, including `rpow4.com` which incorporated full Bitcoin parameters, a prediction market (`rpowmarket.com`), and a DEX (`rpow2swap.com`). Concurrently, Mike In Space created a prototype of Wei Dai's 1998 b-money proposal (`b-money.replit.app`), pushing the historical exploration even further back. The article contrasts these centralized, server-dependent experiments with Bitcoin's core innovation of decentralized, trustless consensus. It also highlights a parallel development: the `HASH` project on Ethereum, which uses smart contract hooks to enable a purely fair-launch, browser-mineable PoW token with 0% allocations to team or VCs. The collective activity is framed as a meme-driven, educational exploration of cypherpunk history rather than a serious financial movement, with all projects heavily disclaiming any investment value.

marsbit9m ago

Those Pre-Bitcoin PoW Protocols Have Recently Been Reimplemented

marsbit9m ago

South Korean Exchanges 'Battle' Regulators, Challenging the Boundaries of Enforcement and Legislation

South Korea's cryptocurrency industry is engaged in a rare, direct confrontation with regulators. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the primary anti-money laundering (AML) watchdog, has recently imposed heavy penalties on major exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb for alleged violations involving unregistered overseas VASPs and AML procedures. However, exchanges are now actively challenging these actions in court and through industry associations. In a significant shift, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of Upbit's operator, Dunamu, overturning part of an FIU-ordered business suspension. The court found the FIU's penalty criteria and justification insufficiently clear. Similarly, the court suspended the enforcement of a six-month business suspension against Bithumb pending a final ruling, citing potential irreversible harm to the exchange. Beyond legal battles, the industry is contesting proposed legislative amendments. The Digital Asset eXchange Alliance (DAXA) strongly opposes a draft rule that would mandate Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) for all crypto transfers over 10 million KRW (~$6,800). DAXA argues this "poison pill" clause violates legal principles and would overwhelm the STR system, increasing reports from 63,000 to an estimated 5.45 million annually for major exchanges, thereby crippling effective AML monitoring. This conflict highlights a structural tension in South Korea's crypto governance: comprehensive digital asset laws are still developing, while regulators rely heavily on AML enforcement. The industry's move from passive compliance to active legal and legislative challenges signifies a new phase, pressing for clearer rules and more proportionate enforcement. While short-term disputes may intensify, this clash could ultimately lead to a more mature and sustainable regulatory framework for South Korea's vibrant crypto market.

marsbit1h ago

South Korean Exchanges 'Battle' Regulators, Challenging the Boundaries of Enforcement and Legislation

marsbit1h ago

After 50x Storage Surge, Justin Sun Always Looks to the Next Decade

Sun Yuchen, known for his controversial stunts like a $30 million lunch with Warren Buffett (canceled due to a kidney stone) and eating a $6.2 million duct-taped banana, is often overshadowed by a significant fact: his decade-long track record of spotting major investment trends. In 2016, he famously advised young people to invest in Bitcoin, Nvidia, Tesla, and Tencent instead of buying property. A hypothetical $20,000 investment in Nvidia and Tesla from that list would now be worth over 50 million RMB. His latest major call was on November 6, 2025, predicting a "50x storage opportunity" tied to the AI boom, which materialized with Sandisk's stock surging nearly 50-fold by 2026. Looking ahead, Sun now focuses on the next frontier: Physical AI. He identifies four key areas: 1. **Embodied AI/Robotics**: He sees this reaching its "iPhone moment," with companies like UBTech and Galaxy General leading in commercialization. 2. **Drones**: Viewed as the first commercially viable form of Physical AI, revolutionizing sectors from warfare (e.g., AeroVironment's Switchblade) to logistics. 3. **Spatial Computing**: Beyond VR, it's about AI understanding physical space, a foundational technology for robotics and autonomous systems, exemplified by Apple's Vision Pro. 4. **Space Exploration**: After a 2025 suborbital flight with Blue Origin, Sun advocates for space as the ultimate frontier, discussing blockchain's potential role in space asset management and data transactions. His investment philosophy involves betting on entire, inevitable trends rather than single companies. For robotics, he sees Tesla (the body/manufacturer) and Nvidia (the brain/AI platform) as complementary plays. In defense drones, he highlights companies making tanks obsolete (AeroVironment) and those augmenting fighter jets (Kratos). For space, he participated in Blue Origin's flight and anticipates SpaceX's potential IPO to redefine the sector's valuation. Sun Yuchen's vision frames the next two decades not as a revolution in information flow (like the internet), but in the fundamental operation of the physical world through AI-powered robots, autonomous systems, and spatial intelligence, ultimately extending human and AI activity into space. While many still focus on conventional assets, he continues to look toward the next technological horizon.

marsbit2h ago

After 50x Storage Surge, Justin Sun Always Looks to the Next Decade

marsbit2h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures
活动图片