In a significant boost to the smart eyewear sector, IXI, a Finnish startup specializing in autofocus prescription glasses, has secured $36.5 million in Series A funding. The investment round was led by London-based Plural and saw participation from a consortium of investors including Amazon's Alexa Fund, marking a pivotal moment for the company's ambitious product development plans.

IXI's innovative approach leverages liquid crystal lens technology paired with eye-tracking sensors to dynamically adjust the glasses' focus based on the user's vision impairment. This technology not only promises to enhance the user experience by providing optimal vision in various situations but also positions IXI as a frontrunner in the race to redefine eyewear as a tech-enhanced lifestyle accessory rather than a mere medical device.

The startup, founded in 2021 by CEO Niko Eiden and Chief Algorithm Officer Ville Miettinen, aims to address the limitations of traditional lenses, which often fail to accommodate varying distances and narrow fields of view. With the latest funding, IXI is poised to accelerate the development of its first-generation product, targeting a market ripe for innovation and eager for solutions that blend cutting-edge technology with elegant design.

While the exact price point of IXI's autofocus glasses remains undetermined, the company has indicated that the product will be positioned within the high-end consumer electronics segment, akin to smartphones. As IXI moves closer to unveiling a lab-ready prototype later this year, the eyewear industry watches closely, anticipating the potential disruption this technology could bring to the global market.

Swedish digital asset manager Virtune has launched what it claims is Europe's most cost-efficient Sui exchange-traded product (ETP) on Euronext Paris, marking another step in the company's expansion across European markets. The Virtune Sui ETP, with the ticker VRTU, provides investors with exposure to the Sui cryptocurrency through a regulated, physically backed investment vehicle. This launch comes as Virtune continues to build its position as one of the leading issuers of regulated crypto ETPs in Europe.

The new ETP features an industry-leading 0.95% annual management fee, making it the most cost-efficient Sui ETP available to European investors. Virtune plans to further expand the product's distribution by listing it on local German exchanges, including gettex and Tradegate, to improve accessibility for German investors. The company has established itself as a trusted provider in the digital asset space, serving over 150,000 investors since its launch just over two years ago.

Security and regulatory compliance remain central to Virtune's approach, with Coinbase serving as the crypto custodian for all of the company's ETPs. The underlying crypto assets are held in cold storage, providing institutional-grade security for investors. This infrastructure supports Virtune's commitment to offering European investors secure, transparent, and regulated access to digital asset markets through traditional investment channels.

Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune, emphasized the company's mission to make innovative digital assets more accessible to investors. "We are excited to launch the most cost-efficient Sui ETP in Europe, reinforcing our mission to make innovative digital assets more accessible to investors," Kock stated. The launch strengthens Virtune's position as it manages more than $475 million in assets across its product offerings, continuing its growth trajectory in the European digital asset management landscape.