Galaxy Digital / GK8 2021
Galaxy Digital acquired GK8 for $44M on November 29, 2021.
- Target
- GK8
- Acquirer
- Galaxy Digital
- Deal value
- $44M
- Deal type
- Mixed
- Announced
- November 29, 2021
- Sub-sector
- Crypto / Digital Assets
Transaction overview
- Galaxy Digital announced the acquisition of GK8 on November 29, 2021 for approximately $44 million.
- GK8 is an Israeli cybersecurity firm specializing in self-custody technology for digital assets.
- The deal closed on April 26, 2022.
- Consideration was a mix of cash and Galaxy Digital stock.
- GK8's core product is a cold vault that signs blockchain transactions without internet connectivity.
- Galaxy Digital is a crypto-focused financial services firm founded by Mike Novogratz and listed on the TSX.
- Galaxy acquired GK8 to offer institutional clients a proprietary custody infrastructure layer.
Why it matters
- The deal reflected institutional demand for self-custody solutions that reduce counterparty risk without sacrificing operational speed.
- GK8's air-gapped signing technology addressed a gap in Galaxy's custody offering for large institutional clients.
Strategic rationale
Galaxy acquires offline cold storage custody technology to build out its institutional digital asset custody stack, later partially returned during bankruptcy proceedings.
Deal terms & multiples
About GK8
GK8 is an Israeli digital asset custody technology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Tel Aviv. The company developed a cold vault platform that can sign blockchain transactions without an internet connection, reducing the attack surface for institutional crypto holders. Its technology is aimed at banks, exchanges, and asset managers that require high-security custody without relying on third-party custodians. GK8 raised venture funding before the Galaxy acquisition and had built a client base among regulated financial institutions.
- Founded
- 2018
- HQ
- Israel
- Prior funding
- Approximately $20 million raised prior to acquisition
- Key metric
- Air-gapped vault capable of signing transactions with zero internet exposure
About Galaxy Digital TSX: GLXY
Galaxy Digital is a crypto-focused financial services firm founded by Mike Novogratz in 2018 and headquartered in New York. The firm operates across trading, asset management, investment banking, and mining. Galaxy is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker GLXY. The firm has pursued a series of acquisitions to build out institutional infrastructure, including custody, prime brokerage, and data services.
- Founded
- 2018
- Ticker
- TSX: GLXY
Frequently asked questions
How much did Galaxy Digital pay for GK8?
Galaxy Digital paid approximately $44 million in a mix of cash and stock. The deal was announced November 29, 2021.
What does GK8 do?
GK8 makes self-custody technology for digital assets, including a cold vault that signs blockchain transactions without an internet connection.
Why did Galaxy Digital acquire GK8?
Galaxy acquired GK8 to add proprietary custody infrastructure for institutional clients who prefer to hold assets without relying on third-party custodians.
Where is GK8 based?
GK8 is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
When did the Galaxy Digital and GK8 deal close?
The transaction closed on April 26, 2022, roughly five months after announcement.
Is Galaxy Digital publicly traded?
Yes. Galaxy Digital trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker GLXY.
Sources
- galaxy.com /news-room/press-releases/2021/galaxy-digital-to-acquire-gk8/