JPM Pledged $7.5M for Blythe Masters Blockchain Startup, Other Banks Balk

Digital Asset Holdings (DAH), the Blockchain Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Read this Term startup led by former JPMorgan executive Blythe Masters, has reportedly received a $7.5 million pledge from her former employer, but other banks are balking.

Masters joined the newly-formed startup as CEO earlier this year, looking to make another major impact on Wall Street. She appears to be steadfast in her blockchain ambitions, having reportedly turned down an offer to head Barclays' investment bank.

She has turned to Wall Street peers in a bid to raise $25 million according to some reports, and as much as $35 - 45 million according to others. In the latter scenario, the startup would be valued at $100 million.

According to a New York Times report, citing people briefed on the deal, large banks including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America (BoA) and Citigroup were uninterested in contributing after learning that JPMorgan was being offered better terms than other investors.

One may also note that Goldman, BoA and Citi are already involved in other blockchain initiatives, whereas JPMorgan was one of the few major banks not to have disclosed blockchain ambitions aside from the DAH investment.

One of the areas Masters is hoping to disrupt is syndicated loans, large loans handled by institutions that are broken up and sold to different investors in pieces. The process is manual and fragmented and can take up to several weeks to complete. The hope is that a distributed ledger system will streamline the process in the same way it is envisioned for the immediate settlement of stocks and Payments Payments One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonl One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonl Read this Term.

Banks have reportedly expressed doubts over the solutions DAH is working on. “It’s not supercompelling,” said one executive. Prospective investors reportedly doubted that the solutions are capable of addressing complications in the loan market, which they also attribute to human behavior.

DAH turned to investment bank Sandler O’Neill to raise money in the spring, and there was reportedly an expectation that fundraising would be complete by the fall. DAH's chief marketing officer (CMO) denied assertions that the startup is struggling to find investors.

There have also been reports of difficulty integrating the two startups "acquihired" earlier this year and Blockstack.io. Two employees reportedly departed the latter, but DAH's CMO said that all employees offered permanent positions at the time of the acquisitions are still with the company.