http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India-Business/Dabur-scion-bites-into-Bitcoins/articleshow/27546979.cmsMUMBAI: Riding on the heightened interest around the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin, Dabur scion Gaurav Burman has invested in itBit, a Singapore-based Bitcoin exchange, and plans to bring the platform to India over a period of time. Burman has bought in his personal capacity a minority stake in the exchange, which is building a global platform for trading in Bitcoins with US dollars, Singapore dollars and the euro with technology support from Nasdaq.
The startup has raised $3.25 million in its latest funding round, and $5.5 million in total, led by the likes of Canaan Partners and RRE Ventures with participation from Liberty City Ventures. Silicon Valley investors have been pumping in big money, despite regulatory issues, into many virtual currency startups. The price of Bitcoin, which is not yet backed by any central bank, soared above $1,000 for the first time in November this year.
"A credible Bitcoin exchange platform that allows conversions into other major currencies in a secure and transparent manner will encourage wider usage of the currency. The investment is also an opportunity to study the business potential in a more mature financial market like Singapore, and we will consider the possibility of bringing the platform to India in the future," Burman told TOI.