Betting platform BLUFF has secured a $21 million strategic investment round led by blockchain-focused fund 1kx, with participation from Makers Fund, Maximum Frequency Ventures, Delphi Ventures Founders and other backers, including sports champion and tech investor Tristan Thompson. The company said the new capital will be used to advance the platform and support a broader launch.
Funding set to support a larger rollout
BLUFF describes itself as a social-first betting platform and sportsbook built for a new generation of players. According to the company, the product centers on speed, transparency and player alignment, offering instant onboarding, real-time settlement, provably fair games and reward systems that let users take part in the ecosystem they help expand. Its team includes former senior executives from Stake, Bet365, William Hill and Bodog.
BLUFF’s founder said the company was created for users who want fast-paced gameplay, real-time experiences, real stakes and the social energy that shapes online engagement today. In the company’s account, the funding round and the investor lineup back that product direction, which focuses on novel content, user experience, community and high-engagement design.
Beta metrics point to strong early demand
Before a full-scale release, BLUFF said it recorded more than 600,000 sign-ups, maintained tens of thousands of daily active users and processed over 125,000,000 bets through its beta in three months. The company said those numbers place it among the faster-scaling new betting platforms in the market, with strategic partners spanning crypto, gaming and consumer entertainment.
1kx partner Peter Pan said BLUFF’s execution speed and level of organic demand stand out. Makers Fund partner Andrew Willson said the team combines a strong understanding of player needs with a fresh approach to company building and platform design.
Platform plans extend beyond standard betting products
Beyond traditional iGaming and sports betting, BLUFF said it is building a single platform that combines betting, live prediction markets, binary outcomes and creator-led community events. It also offers a VIP matching program aimed at users moving from platforms such as Stake, Shuffle and Rollbit, alongside bonuses, rewards and a 24/7 VIP concierge service.
The company added that its broader product vision includes novel bet types, loot boxes and trading as part of one betting experience. 1kx, founded in 2018, said it has backed more than 150 startups working on blockchain-related projects.