UCOLLEX, a Hong Kong-based non-fungible token (NFT) platform focused on art and pop culture collectibles, announced Thursday it has successfully completed a $10 million Series A funding round led by Animoca Brands and MCP IPX One Fund (IPX Fund), which was established by MCP Asset Management (Japan), Inc.

The raise will enable UCOLLEX to invest extensively in blockchain technology and establish metaverse frontiers, creating exciting NFT experiences for pop culture communities, UCOLLEX said in a statement.

With this expansion, UCOLLEX aims to increase its visibility and presence across the worlds of anime, manga, and toy communities.

It said its aim of true interoperability and the strong pipeline of high-quality collaborations and IPs under development indicates an exciting future for digital collecting and culture.

“With the market demand for NFTs skyrocketing in 2021 and the NFT trade volume reaching $25 billion, more and more creators are seeking opportunities to use NFTs and Web 3.0 to increase their exposure. UCOLLEX is closing the loop between creators and collectors, providing a world where collectors can feel at home and live their passion for collecting through the best 3D art and innovative VR experiences,” said Robert Tran, the Founder of UCOLLEX.

UCOLLEX is creating the next-generation creators’ platform that makes NFTs available to everyone, helping creators build their fanbase economy with the best-of-class technology and community—shaping a world where fans can engage with the creator’s metaverse. It provides a world where collectors can feel at home and live their passion for collecting through exclusive content, interviews with artists, the best 3D art, and innovative VR experiences.

“We are pleased to lead this investment which we believe will make it easier for intellectual properties to participate in the open metaverse. The team at UCOLLEX is using blockchain technology to close the loop between creators and collectors,” said Yat Siu, the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Animoca Brands.

Animoca Brands is a global leader in gamification and blockchain with a large portfolio of over 150 investments in NFT-related companies and decentralized projects that are contributing to building the open metaverse.

The IPX Fund’s investors include Kodansha Ltd., Nishi-Nippon Railroad, as well as institutional investors from Japan and overseas including Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited.

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