This week on Inside the Ticker, I sat down with Dr. Naj Kidwai, the CEO of C1 Fund Inc. (NYSE: CFND). We had one of those rare interviews where you can tell immediately — this isn’t a hype story. This is a real strategy.
What stood out to me most is that C1 Fund isn’t chasing token prices or crypto headlines. They’re building a bridge — a way for public investors to finally get exposure to late-stage private companies in the digital-asset infrastructure space. That’s something that’s usually off-limits unless you’re in a VC fund or a private-equity deal.
Dr. Naj explained that C1 Fund was built to give investors access to the picks-and-shovels side of the digital-asset world — companies building custody systems, compliance tech, tokenization platforms, and real-world applications that connect blockchain to finance.
He said, “We’re not speculating on coins. We’re investing in the companies building the rails that make digital assets usable and sustainable.”
That stuck with me. It’s easy to get distracted by volatility and hype, but what he’s doing is focusing on infrastructure — the foundation of the space.
We talked a lot about how they pick their investments. They’re not throwing money around. Every deal goes through strict screening based on a few things:
- The company has to be late-stage and generating real revenue.
- They have to operate in regulated environments with proper compliance.
- There has to be real-world adoption, not just white-paper promises.
- And the business model has to be scalable beyond one market or one trend.
It’s a smart setup. They’re basically taking a venture-capital approach, but packaging it into a public fund — something retail and institutional investors can both participate in.
We also talked about where the fund is going from here.
Dr. Naj said they’re planning to deploy more capital by the end of the year into a few new positions — all focused on digital-asset infrastructure and compliance tech. By the first quarter of 2026, the fund should be fully invested across a handful of carefully chosen companies.
What really caught my attention is that a few of their holdings are already in line for potential IPOs or acquisitions. That means investors in CFND could start seeing real portfolio events play out over the next 12–18 months.
He also mentioned that adoption on the institutional side is quietly picking up — a trend we’re seeing everywhere. Family offices, private funds, and even traditional financial firms are finally starting to step into blockchain-related infrastructure.
Why This Conversation Matters
I’ve interviewed hundreds of CEOs, but what makes this one stand out is clarity. Dr. Naj has a very grounded view of where the digital-asset market is heading.
He’s not trying to ride the wave; he’s trying to build the rails beneath it. And that’s the part of this sector that’s going to last — the part that brings legitimacy and long-term value.
So, when I look at C1 Fund Inc. (CFND), I see a structure that gives investors a shot at venture-style upside without needing to be an insider. It’s a rare setup — especially for retail investors who want exposure to the digital-asset world without owning tokens.
Final Thoughts
This was one of those interviews that reminds me why I started doing this — to get past the noise and find real operators building real things.
C1 Fund Inc. is still early, but the way they’re approaching this market — methodical, selective, and forward-thinking — could make CFND one of those tickers that quietly grows while everyone else is chasing the next trend.
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