Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
Shravanth Vijayakumar · · 3 min read

It isn’t all ape, hodl, and moon. EthSign fights fraud in the startup space

Sign up for the Daily Newsletter, sent exclusively to our premium subscribers. We break down the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community. Get the newsletter in your inbox everyday with a premium subscription.

Hi readers,

Remember how, just a few years ago, a lot of people thought that blockchain was going to change the world for good? Looking back at 2022 and the smoldering wreckage of the cryptoverse, it’s hard to remember why we ever thought that.

But despite everything you’ve read – and will continue to read – about SBF and FTX, there are still crypto players out there looking to make their mark in the digital world without ever using the words ape, hodl, or moon.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve talked to a few different companies that are using blockchain to build Web3 solutions to real-world problems, and EthSign has to be one of the more grounded firms I’ve come across. In fact, it’s downright boring.

The company started by trying to find ways to use e-signatures in Web3. The ability to sign documents led to a protocol that allowed users to sign contracts. Then the founders realized the data being collected on the chain could be used for verification purposes.

TL;DR? EthSign is building a solution that could help combat fraud in the startup space. Will it work? You can read all about it here and judge for yourself.

Scott Shuey, journalist at Tech in Asia


Top stories this week

Image credit: TImmy Loen

1️. EthSign aims to weed out financial fraud. Its first step: creating a crypto Crunchbase
Starting as an e-signature platform, EthSign now hopes to create a public database of startups and DAOs using blockchain metadata.

2. Why Temasek unit bet $105m on this decades-old firm
Neon, a 66-year-old entertainment firm that recently bagged US$105 million from 65 Equity Partners, is confident it can weather recessionary headwinds.

3. Indonesia’s eFishery revels in farmer financing foray, but there’s a catch
The company is enjoying notable growth in the trouble-laden farmer financing industry but has chosen not to fully capitalize on the opportunity yet.

4. This is the deck Cake DeFi’s founders used to first pitch the business
The Singapore-based crypto investment firm now has over 1 million users worldwide and currently handles more than US$1 billion in customer assets.

5. Grocery tech firm Ocado’s SEA entry could shake up the scene
Ocado, which helps set up grocery chains with their own online operations, is eyeing a slice of Southeast Asia’s fast-growing online grocery market.

Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.

TIA Writer

Shravanth Vijayakumar

Fascinated by all things tech, business and sport. Always down for a healthy discussion on these topics. Feel free to reach me at shravanth.vijayakumar@techinasia.com