The global collectibles market is maturing into a recognized asset class, and the Middle East is rapidly laying the infrastructure to capture its share of the capital. Signaling strong institutional interest in this alternative sector, global venture capital firm Hashed has stepped in as the lead investor in HiT Grading & Authentication, a UAE-based platform providing grading services for pop-culture artifacts.
Quick Facts
- Hashed is the lead investor in UAE-based HiT.
- HiT is the GCC’s first collectibles authentication platform.
- Capital will scale operations and upgrade grading technology.
Scaling Middle East Collectibles Infrastructure
Founded in the UAE and backed by Speedy Comics Group—one of the region’s largest pop culture operators—HiT operates as a core infrastructure layer for the local collector economy.
The startup provides specialized grading and authentication services while supporting a network of physical stores. These retail touchpoints carry major global franchises, including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Marvel Topps, One Piece, and Dragon Ball, catering directly to regional collectors, retail partners, and alternative asset investors.
Simon Seojoon Kim, CEO of Hashed, highlighted the structural gaps in the current global market.
“Collectibles are a way of putting a price on culture, and markets begin with trust, not transactions,” said Kim. “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.”
Building a Cross-Border Cultural Corridor
For Hashed, the investment acts as a strategic entry point into the UAE market, advancing a broader strategy to establish a cultural and commercial corridor between South Korea and the Middle East. As Korean intellectual property—spanning K-pop, gaming, and trading cards—gains global commercial traction, the VC firm views the MENA collector ecosystem as a natural expansion zone.
Dr. Rashed Al Farooq, Co-Founder of HiT and Group CEO of Speedy Comics Group, noted the rapid maturation of the local community.
“Collectibles are evolving into a global asset class, and the Middle East is emerging as a major hub for pop culture and trading card communities,” said Al Farooq. “Hashed brings deep expertise in collectibles markets, alongside one of Asia’s strongest networks across entertainment, IP, and cultural platforms. Together, we are excited to accelerate HiT’s growth into the region’s defining collectibles infrastructure.”
Al Farooq himself is a prominent figure in the space, holding a personal pop culture collection valued at over $200 million. The portfolio includes historic first-edition comics like Superman #1 and Amazing Fantasy #15, alongside ultra-rare signed trading cards and landmark manga issues.
Structuring an Alternative Asset Class
With the fresh capital and Hashed’s global network, HiT plans to scale its operational footprint across the wider GCC. The company will also invest heavily in technology-driven grading capabilities to improve accuracy and efficiency.
Dr. Sharifa Abdulqader Obaid, Managing Director and Co-Founder of HiT Grading, emphasized the importance of standardizing the regional market.
“Our vision with HiT has always been to build trust at scale — combining operational excellence, technology, and community,” said Obaid. “This partnership with Hashed validates that vision and strengthens our ability to create a structured, transparent, and globally connected ecosystem for collectors, brands, and investors across the region.”
About HiT Grading & Authentication
HiT Grading & Authentication is a homegrown UAE platform dedicated to the grading and authentication of trading cards, comic books, sports memorabilia, and pop-culture artifacts. The company is focused on building the Middle East’s primary infrastructure for collectible marketplace services, effectively bridging regional collectors with the broader global alternative asset economy.
Source: Zawya
