Pantera Capital Denies NFT Project Akio Investment - Here’s Why It Matters
Pantera Capital just dropped a bombshell denial about backing the controversial NFT project Akio. The crypto investment giant slammed rumors of involvement—leaving the digital collectibles space buzzing with speculation.
Behind the Denial
Sources confirm Pantera never touched this project despite market chatter. The firm's abrupt clarification signals heightened due diligence in the current regulatory climate. NFT valuations continue facing pressure as institutional players distance themselves from speculative assets.
Market Fallout
Akio's trading volume evaporated faster than a meme coin's utility. The episode highlights how quickly NFT projects can unravel without legitimate backing—another reminder that in crypto, sometimes the smartest investment is the one you avoid. Just ask anyone who bought an ape JPEG at peak prices.
A Funding Claim Unravels
The incident began when Akio published a graphic on its X account detailing a supposed $5 million seed round with Pantera Capital as the lead investor, along with Nvidia Ventures, Hasbro Ventures, AMD Ventures, and other players.
Shortly after the post went live, Franklin Bi of Pantera Capital issued a direct denial on X, stating, “Pantera is not an investor in this.”
Alert: Pantera is not an investor in @AkioWorldNFT.
We've confimed the same with several other investors mentioned in the tweet below.
I was blocked by the project & can't respond directly to the original tweet or comments.
Good luck out there. Stay paranoid. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/FqeWdw7JU4
Beyond Pantera, none of the other companies shown in the Akio post, Nvidia Ventures, Hasbro Ventures, AMD Ventures, Net Ease Global, SBI GRoup, SIG DTI, Susquehanna International Group Company, have publicly acknowledged any investment in Akio or the publication.
Instead of issuing a correction, the Akio project reportedly blocked Franklin Bi on the platform following his refutation of their announcement.
Legit Information
The Akio incident offers a direct example of red flags and underscores that investors have to carefully review information, as well as the source of the announcement. Legitimate funding rounds are typically confirmed through official press releases or on the investors’ own channels, not just a social media graphic.
Investors can also verify claims with the alleged investors directly, such as: Pantera Capital’s official website reveals no mention of Akio in its portfolio. A lack of confirmation on a venture firm’s official blog, portfolio page, or social media can be a warning sign.
A Playbook for Investor Due Diligence
The Akio incident serves as a real-time case study in the red flags that can surround fundraising announcements. For investors, it places a spotlight on the importance of verifying claims before making financial decisions. Here are key steps for due diligence:
Why false claims threaten investor trust
False claims damage the reputation of the project making them and force venture capital firms to publicly defend their credibility. Also, it contributes to an erosion of trust across the industry. Furthermore, false HYPE can be used to temporarily inflate the price of tokens or NFTs, leaving uninformed buyers at a loss when the claims are proven false. The Akio-Pantera is a reminder that in a largely unregulated space, claims should be treated with skepticism.
Also read: X Exposes Crypto Scam Bribery Network Amid Rising Fraud
