UPDATE - Prometheum Raises $12mm From HashKey Digital Asset Group Limited; Signs Strategic Partnership with Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain Inc., an early backer of Ethereum

New relationships will help accelerate launch of the first and only legal U.S. smart security token ecosystem


NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prometheum, Inc., which proposes the only comprehensive route to a fully regulatory compliant U.S. security token, announced today that it has raised $12mm from HashKey Digital Asset Group Limited, the holding company of a leading Hong Kong fintech group. Hashkey is focused on the development of the blockchain and digital asset industry, with a commitment to building a global ecosystem in this field. The investment, in the form of cash and services, will enable Prometheum to accelerate the launch of its network.

Prometheum also announced that it has signed a Strategic Partnership and Joint Development Agreement with Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain Inc., an early backer of Ethereum. Wanxiang and HashKey are partners and allies who often collaborate to invest in and accelerate blockchain startups. Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain Inc., known as Wanxiang Blockchain, was established by China’s biggest blockchain backer -- China Wanxiang Holding Co., Ltd. -- part of the giant Wanxiang Group Corp., one of China’s most internationally respected companies. Wanxiang’s domestic innovation initiatives include a $30 billion, blockchain-driven, smart-city development in Hangzhou, China. Its Chicago-based arm, Wanxiang America, is a $4 billion company with interests in auto parts, real estate and renewable energy.

Per the terms of the partnership agreement, Wanxiang Blockchain will provide Prometheum with blockchain technology resources and help develop the Prometheum network. In addition, Dr. Feng Xiao - Chairman of HashKey, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of China Wanxiang Holding Co., Ltd., and Chairman and CEO of Wanxiang Blockchain Inc. - will join Prometheum’s board. Dr. Xiao was the earliest evangelist and promoter of blockchain technology in China. An early sponsor of Ethereum, he has incubated and invested in more than 50 leading blockchain projects around the world.

Prometheum, founded by a group of seasoned Wall Street securities attorneys, has developed a platform that will enable SEC-qualified, freely trading smart security tokens (SSTs) to be bought and sold by any investor. The company has already marked a first in the industry by filing a Reg A+ Offering Statement for the first legal warrants for SSTs in the U.S. Prometheum’s smart security warrants/Ember tokens and smart contract-enabled blockchain form the underpinning for a comprehensive route to a soup-to-nuts securities ecosystem, from issuance to trading through clearing and settling. The company recently issued a new white paper with details on its approach.

Ben El-Baz, Chief Strategy Officer at HashKey Digital Asset Group, said, “Prometheum’s legal and financial experts have cracked the code on how to hold a legal security token offering in the U.S. - something the financial world is eagerly anticipating. Wanxiang’s blockchain development prowess will help ensure the underpinnings of a new kind of system. We are very excited to invest in and work alongside Prometheum on this project.”

“We firmly believe that blockchain technology can bring more transparency to financial systems, and Prometheum’s approach to smart security token offerings – operating within the existing U.S. Federal Securities Laws – is well thought out with strong promise,” said Yu Du, General Manager at Wanxiang Blockchain Inc. “We think Prometheum will have a disruptive effect on the U.S. financial industry, and we are excited to work closely with the team to launch a robust and compliant ecosystem into the U.S. capital markets.”

In May 2018, Prometheum filed a Reg A+ Offering Statement for its own SST, in which it seeks to raise $50mm by selling warrants for its Ember tokens. In June 2018, Prometheum struck a strategic partnership with broker-dealer Manorhaven Capital LLC and filed with the SEC for registration as an Alternative Trading System (ATS).

Prometheum anticipates being the first U.S. issuer to sell smart security warrants/tokens under Reg A+, qualified for public trading, fully compliant with the Federal Securities Laws. That means, unlike all other tokens issued to date, Prometheum warrants for Ember tokens will, when qualified by the SEC, be available to all investors (both accredited and non-accredited) and will be legally tradable in the secondary securities market in the United States.

“All of the pieces are falling into place, ahead of schedule,” said Aaron Kaplan, Co-CEO of Prometheum. “We anticipate hosting our first offerings for issuers in 2019. We are thrilled to be working with HashKey and Wanxiang Blockchain as we continue to move Prometheum forward.”

Access Prometheum’s offering documents at the SEC web site at https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Prometheum&owner=exclude&action=getcompany. Learn more about Prometheum at https://www.prometheum.com/.  

About HashKey
HashKey Digital Asset Group Limited (HashKey) is a leading holding company focused on investment in the fintech and blockchain industries. Founded by veterans in the field, HashKey aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, technological advancement and adoption with its forward-looking vision, professional insight and global synergistic network. By empowering industries with fintech, HashKey hopes to liberate productivity and to promote inclusion for the world we live in.

About Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain Inc.
Beginning in 2015, China Wanxiang Holding Co., Ltd. started a strategic layout in the blockchain industry, and was deeply engaged in this field ever since. Wanxiang Blockchain has already built an ecosystem that is consisted of Wanxiang Blockchain Labs, Wanxiang Blockchain Business Consulting Service, Wanxiang Chainbase Accelerator, and Wancloud. In early 2017, Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain Inc. was formally established. On the basis of further integrating resources and constructing -platforms, Shanghai Wanxiang Blockchain Inc. established a cutting-edge product and technical team to develop industrial solution with blockchain, providing technology, capital and resources to further advance industrial development and business adoption in the blockchain field.

About Prometheum
Prometheum, Inc. proposes the only comprehensive route to smart security warrant/token offerings. Founded by a group of seasoned Wall Street securities attorneys, Prometheum is the first company to propose an SEC-qualified freely trading ecosystem of securitized tokens to all investors. Its proposed warrants/Ember tokens and smart contract-enabled blockchain form the underpinning for a comprehensive route to a soup-to-nuts securities ecosystem, from issuance to trading through clearing and settling. Prometheum anticipates hosting its first smart security warrant/token offerings for issuers in 2019. Learn more at www.prometheum.com

Prometheum, Inc. Disclaimer
No money or consideration is being solicited by the information in this press release or any other communication and, if sent, money will not be accepted and will be promptly returned. No offer by a potential investor to buy our securities can be accepted and, if made, any such offer can be withdrawn before qualification of this offering by the SEC. A potential investor’s indication of interest does not create a commitment to purchase the securities we are offering. Any such indication of interest may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time before notice of its acceptance is given and all other requirements to accept an investment from a potential investor are met after the offering qualification date.

The offering, after qualification by the SEC, will be made only by means of the Offering Circular. Any information in this press release or any other communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification for sale as provided in Regulation A+ in any such state or jurisdiction.

You may obtain a copy of the Preliminary Offering Circular and the offering statement in which such Preliminary Offering Circular was filed with the SEC by visiting: https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Prometheum&owner=exclude&action=getcompany.

Media contact:
Michelle Faulkner
Big Swing Communications
+1 617-510-6998
michelle@big-swing.com