Crypto and fintech investment firm Deus X Capital will formally unwind on Jan. 31, 2027, after ceasing operations, as the Morton family backers behind the firm pursue separate investment strategies, the company told CoinDesk.

The firm, led by CEO Tim Grant, a former Galaxy Digital executive who ran the bank's Europe, Middle East and Africa business, is dissolving roughly three years after launching in October 2023 with $1 billion in existing investments and capital available for deployment. Chief Investment Officer Stuart Connolly will remain to oversee the transition, and some portfolio businesses will continue operating with the involvement of existing stakeholders.

How are the backers splitting up?

The Morton family is dividing its investment activities along distinct sector lines:

• Shane Morton is establishing Darius, an investment vehicle focused on artificial intelligence. One of Deus X's founders and backers, he will also own TensorX, the AI venture that Grant will lead.
• Owen and Jason Morton are setting up 95, a firm focused on markets and fintech.
• Tim Grant becomes CEO of TensorX under the Darius umbrella, marking his move from digital assets into AI.

"We want to be a prominent player in AI in Europe," Grant told CoinDesk in an interview.

Deus X had a presence in Malta, London and the United Arab Emirates, and its strategy spanned private equity, venture capital and hedge fund allocations across digital assets, blockchain, fintech and institutional capital markets.

What does the closure signal for crypto capital?

The unwinding reflects a broader shift in allocation priorities. Galaxy Research said in September that interest in artificial intelligence is diverting attention from digital assets, compounding fundraising challenges for crypto venture firms. Grant's own pivot — from leading Galaxy's EMEA business to running an AI venture — underscores that competition for investor attention and capital.

Deus X reported annual returns of 36.5% since inception but declined to disclose its total capital. Its initial investments included stakes in Galaxy Digital and asset manager Hilbert Group, alongside allocations to several hedge funds.

The firm's operational footprint also extended into building crypto market infrastructure. In September 2024, Deus X launched Solstice Labs to develop institutional-grade decentralized finance products for a broader investor base. Its portfolio included proprietary trading firm Alpha Lab 40 and crypto prime broker Cor Prime, which launched with a $100 million risk-capital commitment from Deus X, according to CoinDesk.

What happens next?

Connolly will manage the formal unwind through the Jan. 31, 2027 deadline, with portfolio companies continuing under existing stakeholders where viable. The split leaves the Morton family deploying capital through two new vehicles — Darius in AI and 95 in markets and fintech — while TensorX, now under Grant, will compete for institutional attention in Europe's AI sector rather than digital assets.