Dubai – Sharikat Mubasher: Global venture capital firm Hashed announced it has invested in UAE-based collectibles platform HiT Grading & Authentication, becoming the lead investor in a move that highlights growing institutional interest in the global collectibles and pop culture market. As per a recent press release, HiT plans to use the funding to expand operations across the GCC, develop technology-driven grading and authentication capabilities, and build stronger cross-border partnerships linking collector communities in the Middle East and Asia.

The investment reflects Hashed’s broader strategy to strengthen cultural and commercial ties between Korea and the UAE, particularly as Korean entertainment intellectual property—from K-pop to webtoons and gaming—continues to gain global popularity. The firm sees the Middle East’s growing collector economy as a natural expansion market.

Founded in the UAE and backed by Speedy Comics Group, HiT provides grading and authentication services for collectibles while also operating a network of physical stores selling major global franchises including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Marvel, One Piece, and Dragon Ball. The platform aims to serve collectors, investors, and retailers across the Middle East.

Commenting on this, Simon Seojoon Kim, CEO of Hashed, said: “Collectibles are a way of putting a price on culture, and markets begin with trust, not transactions. The global collectibles market already has both demand and capital; what’s missing is the infrastructure layer. HiT has the founder capability, local network, and operational track record to build it.”