Unikrn: Difference between revisions
→Overview: Self promotion Tags: references removed Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
Citation bot (talk | contribs) Removed parameters. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | #UCB_CommandLine |
||
(31 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|American esports and media company}} |
|||
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}} |
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} |
||
{{Infobox dot-com company |
{{Infobox dot-com company |
||
|name=Unikrn Inc. |
|name=Unikrn Inc. |
||
|logo=[[File: |
|logo=[[File: VERTICAL_LOCKUP_(BLACK).png|250px]] |
||
|type= |
|type=Corporation |
||
|genre= |
|genre= |
||
|fate= |
|fate= |
||
Line 12: | Line 13: | ||
|founder=[[Rahul Sood]], [[Karl Flores]] |
|founder=[[Rahul Sood]], [[Karl Flores]] |
||
|defunct= |
|defunct= |
||
|location_city=[[ |
|location_city=[[Miami]] |
||
|location_country=United States |
|location_country=United States |
||
|locations= |
|locations= |
||
Line 36: | Line 37: | ||
|alexa=}} |
|alexa=}} |
||
'''Unikrn Inc.''' (styled as "'''Unikrn'''") is an esports betting and entertainment media company based in |
'''Unikrn Inc.''' (styled as "'''Unikrn'''") is an esports betting and entertainment media company based in [[Miami]], Florida. |
||
In August 2021, international betting, gaming and interactive entertainment company [[Entain]] acquired Unikrn.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2021|title=Online gambling company Entain buys esports betting startup Unikrn as it looks to triple its business|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/12/ladbrokes-owner-entain-buys-esports-betting-startup-unikrn.html|access-date=3 September 2021|website=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 August 2021|title=Gambling giant Entain puts £50m bet on esports|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gambling-giant-entain-puts-50m-bet-on-esports-dgtg6x6l3|access-date=3 September 2021|website=The Times}}</ref> |
|||
== Overview == |
== Overview == |
||
Founded in November 2014, Unikrn primarily offers real money <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/28/unikrn-esports-betting/|title=There's an easy way to bet on competitive video games|website=Engadget|access-date=2017-07-17}}</ref> and token-based wagering on competitive video game tournaments, otherwise known as [[esports]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/gambling-comes-to-esports-with-unikrn/?_r=2|title=Gambling Comes to E-Sports with Unikrn|work |
Founded in November 2014, Unikrn primarily offers real money <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/28/unikrn-esports-betting/|title=There's an easy way to bet on competitive video games|website=Engadget|access-date=2017-07-17}}</ref> and token-based wagering on competitive video game tournaments, otherwise known as [[esports]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/gambling-comes-to-esports-with-unikrn/?_r=2|title=Gambling Comes to E-Sports with Unikrn|work=The New York Times|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref> Unikrn creates betting markets on [[esports]] (organized video game competitions) matches akin to traditional betting. |
||
== |
== History == |
||
The company was founded by [[Rahul Sood]] and Karl Flores in November 2014. |
|||
The company was founded by [[Rahul Sood]] and Karl Flores in November 2014, after Sood finished his role as General Manager at Microsoft Ventures.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/03/voodoopc-and-microsoft-ventures-general-manager-rahul-sood-is-leaving-microsoft-to-start-another-company/|title=VoodooPC Founder And Microsoft Ventures General Manager Rahul Sood Is Leaving Microsoft To Start Another Company|last=Burns|first=Matt|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-09-19|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
In 2016, Unikrn became an investor in BIG (Berlin International Gaming),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sporttechie.com/esports-betting-company-unikrn-invests-in-german-csgo-team-big/|title=eSports Betting Company Unikrn Invests In German CS:GO Team BIG |
In 2016, Unikrn became an investor in BIG (Berlin International Gaming),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sporttechie.com/esports-betting-company-unikrn-invests-in-german-csgo-team-big/|title=eSports Betting Company Unikrn Invests In German CS:GO Team BIG|publisher=SportTechie|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref> a professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team. Unikrn also has an investment in [[MAINGEAR]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/349612/maingear-unikrn-bet-on-pc-gamings-future/|title=Maingear, Unikrn Bet on PC Gaming's Future|publisher=PCMag|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref> a high-end PC manufacturer. |
||
In the second quarter of 2017, Unikrn acquired LEET,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esportsinsider.com/2017/04/unikrn-acquire-casino-focused-esports-company-leet/|title=Unikrn to acquire casino focused esports company LEET |
In the second quarter of 2017, Unikrn acquired LEET,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esportsinsider.com/2017/04/unikrn-acquire-casino-focused-esports-company-leet/|title=Unikrn to acquire casino focused esports company LEET|publisher=Esports Insider|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref> an esports startup based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unikrn also owns an Indian-based esports company, DotaProHub.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/09/22/esports-betting-hub-unikrn-buys-statistics-company-dotaprohub/|title=Esports betting hub Unikrn buys statistics company DotaProHub {{!}} GamesBeat|website=venturebeat.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-09-19}}</ref> |
||
In November 2017, the company released UnikoinGold, an [[ERC-20]] [[cryptocurrency]], running on the [[Ethereum]] blockchain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/04/consensys-ventures-has-made-its-first-four-investments/|title=ConsenSys Ventures has made its first four investments|last=Shieber|first=Jonathan|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mashable.com/2017/08/17/unikoingold/#47zQpE9lHqq3|title=Mark Cuban-backed Unikrn to launch cryptocurrency for esports betting|last=Schroeder|first=Stan|work=Mashable|access-date=2018-01-15|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/25/ethereum-co-founder-and-mark-cuban-put-25m-toward-unikrn-esports-betting-platforms-digital-token-sale.html|title=Mark Cuban, Ethereum co-founder among big investors in Unikrn's digital token sale|last=Soper|first=Taylor|date=2017-09-25|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-01-15}}</ref> |
In November 2017, the company released UnikoinGold, an [[ERC-20]] [[cryptocurrency]], running on the [[Ethereum]] blockchain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/04/consensys-ventures-has-made-its-first-four-investments/|title=ConsenSys Ventures has made its first four investments|last=Shieber|first=Jonathan|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mashable.com/2017/08/17/unikoingold/#47zQpE9lHqq3|title=Mark Cuban-backed Unikrn to launch cryptocurrency for esports betting|last=Schroeder|first=Stan|work=Mashable|access-date=2018-01-15|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/25/ethereum-co-founder-and-mark-cuban-put-25m-toward-unikrn-esports-betting-platforms-digital-token-sale.html|title=Mark Cuban, Ethereum co-founder among big investors in Unikrn's digital token sale|last=Soper|first=Taylor|date=2017-09-25|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-01-15}}</ref> |
||
In September 2020, Unikrn agreed to a settlement with the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] after raising $31 million via a digital asset called UnikoinGold in an unregistered 2019 [[token sale]] of digital.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=In the Matter of Unikrn, Inc|url=https://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/claims/unikrn.htm|publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref> Unikrn volunteered to settle without a determination of guilt by paying a $6.1 million penalty to be paid via a [[Fair Fund]] to its token holders. Unikrn also undertook to disable UnikoinGold <ref>{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=Unregistered ICO Issuer Agrees to Disable Tokens and Pay Penalty for Distribution to Harmed Investors|url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2020-211|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=SEC.gov|publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref> Unikrn settled despite lack of consensus within the SEC that Unikoingold constituted a security, with Commissioner Hester M. Peirce saying, "I do not concur in my colleagues’ opinion that Unikrn’s token offering constituted a securities offering[...] By failing to challenge ourselves to experiment with new approaches to regulation, we, and those whose interests we are pledged to serve, risk surrendering the fruits of innovation. I respectfully dissent from the Commission’s actions today relating to Unikrn."<ref>{{cite web | title = Statement on SEC Settlement Charging Token Issuer with Violation of Registration Provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 | publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] | url=https://www.sec.gov/news/public-statement/peirce-statement-settlement-charging-token-issuer}}</ref> She further clarified, "[Unikrn] is not alleged to have engaged in any fraud." |
|||
In 2021, Unikrn partnered with FYX Gaming to work jointly on development of an updated monetization structure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duran|first=H.B.|date=March 11, 2021|title=Unikrn forms blockchain partnership with FYX Gaming|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2021/03/unikrn-fyx-gaming/|website=Esports Insider}}</ref> |
|||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Line 55: | Line 62: | ||
{{ESports}} |
{{ESports}} |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:Companies based in Miami]] |
||
[[Category:Esports websites]] |
[[Category:Esports websites]] |
||
[[Category:Online gambling companies of the United States]] |
[[Category:Online gambling companies of the United States]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:Gambling companies established in 2014]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:American companies established in 2014]] |
||
[[Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions]] |
Latest revision as of 18:55, 27 September 2023
Type of site | Corporation |
---|---|
Founded | 2014 |
Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Founder(s) | Rahul Sood, Karl Flores |
Industry | Online gambling |
Services | Online Esports betting & gaming |
URL | unikrn.com |
Unikrn Inc. (styled as "Unikrn") is an esports betting and entertainment media company based in Miami, Florida.
In August 2021, international betting, gaming and interactive entertainment company Entain acquired Unikrn.[1][2]
Overview
[edit]Founded in November 2014, Unikrn primarily offers real money [3] and token-based wagering on competitive video game tournaments, otherwise known as esports.[4] Unikrn creates betting markets on esports (organized video game competitions) matches akin to traditional betting.
History
[edit]The company was founded by Rahul Sood and Karl Flores in November 2014.
In 2016, Unikrn became an investor in BIG (Berlin International Gaming),[5] a professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team. Unikrn also has an investment in MAINGEAR,[6] a high-end PC manufacturer.
In the second quarter of 2017, Unikrn acquired LEET,[7] an esports startup based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unikrn also owns an Indian-based esports company, DotaProHub.[8]
In November 2017, the company released UnikoinGold, an ERC-20 cryptocurrency, running on the Ethereum blockchain.[9][10][11]
In September 2020, Unikrn agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after raising $31 million via a digital asset called UnikoinGold in an unregistered 2019 token sale of digital.[12] Unikrn volunteered to settle without a determination of guilt by paying a $6.1 million penalty to be paid via a Fair Fund to its token holders. Unikrn also undertook to disable UnikoinGold [13] Unikrn settled despite lack of consensus within the SEC that Unikoingold constituted a security, with Commissioner Hester M. Peirce saying, "I do not concur in my colleagues’ opinion that Unikrn’s token offering constituted a securities offering[...] By failing to challenge ourselves to experiment with new approaches to regulation, we, and those whose interests we are pledged to serve, risk surrendering the fruits of innovation. I respectfully dissent from the Commission’s actions today relating to Unikrn."[14] She further clarified, "[Unikrn] is not alleged to have engaged in any fraud."
In 2021, Unikrn partnered with FYX Gaming to work jointly on development of an updated monetization structure.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Online gambling company Entain buys esports betting startup Unikrn as it looks to triple its business". CNBC. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Gambling giant Entain puts £50m bet on esports". The Times. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "There's an easy way to bet on competitive video games". Engadget. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Gambling Comes to E-Sports with Unikrn". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ "eSports Betting Company Unikrn Invests In German CS:GO Team BIG". SportTechie. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ "Maingear, Unikrn Bet on PC Gaming's Future". PCMag. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ "Unikrn to acquire casino focused esports company LEET". Esports Insider. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ "Esports betting hub Unikrn buys statistics company DotaProHub | GamesBeat". venturebeat.com. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ Shieber, Jonathan. "ConsenSys Ventures has made its first four investments". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ Schroeder, Stan. "Mark Cuban-backed Unikrn to launch cryptocurrency for esports betting". Mashable. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ Soper, Taylor (25 September 2017). "Mark Cuban, Ethereum co-founder among big investors in Unikrn's digital token sale". CNBC. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "In the Matter of Unikrn, Inc". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 15 September 2020.
- ^ "Unregistered ICO Issuer Agrees to Disable Tokens and Pay Penalty for Distribution to Harmed Investors". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ "Statement on SEC Settlement Charging Token Issuer with Violation of Registration Provisions of the Securities Act of 1933". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- ^ Duran, H.B. (11 March 2021). "Unikrn forms blockchain partnership with FYX Gaming". Esports Insider.