Monday, June 1, 2026

Solana, FTX, and Lightspeed Start $100M Gaming Fund

  • Solana Ventures, FTX, and Lightspeed Venture Partners joined forces.
  • The group has started a $100 million gaming fund.
Design: Alex Brooks

Solana Ventures, FTX, and Lightspeed Venture Partners have teamed up to launch a $100 million gaming fund called GameFi.

The fund will facilitate investments in video game developers, tech companies, and other projects at “the intersection of blockchain and gaming.”

Earlier this month, the trio led a $21 million funding round in Miami-based studio Faraway Games, the fund’s first investment.

The video game market is projected to reach $219 billion in 2024.

  • Lightspeed has invested in gaming companies including Epic Games, Hidden Leaf, 1017 Games, and Tripledot Studios.
  • In June, FTX acquired naming rights to esports organization TSM Esports in a 10-year, $210 million deal that included cryptocurrency for all TSM players and employees.
  • Earlier this month, Solana took part in a $725 million Series B round in crypto gaming startup Forte that included Andreessen Horowitz and Warner Music Group.

In October, FTX closed a $420.7 million funding round, valuing the crypto exchange at $25 billion, while LightSpeed has more than 400 active investments with $10.5 billion in committed capital.

Solana has raised roughly $335.8 million in total funding and has made eight investments, including its participation in last week’s $21 million seed round in BetDex, a blockchain-based sports betting platform.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NBA on Amazon studio analyst Udonis Haslem during the NBA Cup semifinals at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

FTX Settlement Costs Udonis Haslem $420K

Haslem’s settlement is 77% less than Shaquille O’Neal’s.
Jan 19, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Udonis Haslem speaks after his jersey was lifted to the rafters during the retirement ceremony during halftime of the game between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks Kaseya Center.
exclusive

Udonis Haslem Settles Out of FTX Litigation

He follows his former teammate Shaquille O’Neal in settling.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O'Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden.

Shaq’s $1.8M FTX Settlement May Be a Great Deal in the Long Run

Tom Brady, Steph Curry, and others still face billions in potential damages.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.

Thunder Favored, but Bettors Backing Pacers Big in NBA Finals

The most bet-on exact series outcome is the Thunder winning in five.
Fanduel
March 4, 2025

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
May 8, 2025

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
August 20, 2024

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand To Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.