The decentralized web is evolving rapidly, and with it comes an increasing need for robust security solutions. Japanese startup KEKKAI has stepped into this critical space, recently announcing the successful closure of its Pre-Seed funding round—a milestone that underscores growing confidence in its mission to make cryptocurrency transactions safer and more transparent for everyday users.
Backed by Skyland Ventures, a prominent Japanese venture capital firm, KEKKAI raised 50 million JPY to accelerate product development and expand its footprint in the Web3 security landscape. The funding reflects not only investor trust but also the rising demand for user-centric security tools as blockchain adoption grows across Japan and beyond.
The Genesis of KEKKAI: A Founder’s Personal Wake-Up Call
KEKKAI was officially founded in early 2023, though its roots trace back to 2022 when the idea began taking shape internally. The driving force behind the company is Duoma, a serial entrepreneur and current student at Waseda University. This marks his third entrepreneurial venture, following previous experiences in SaaS, social platforms, and blockchain infrastructure.
His motivation for launching a Web3 security startup stemmed from a personal loss—clicking on a phishing link that resulted in stolen crypto assets. That incident, combined with Japan’s increasingly supportive regulatory stance toward Web3 and digital assets, inspired Duoma to focus on improving wallet-level security.
“Most wallets today act as gateways for transactions, yet they fail to communicate risks clearly,” Duoma explained. “Users are often presented with cryptic signature requests they don’t understand—this creates a massive vulnerability.”
That insight became the foundation of KEKKAI: empowering users with real-time, actionable risk intelligence during every transaction.
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How KEKKAI Works: Transaction Simulation Meets Risk Intelligence
At its core, KEKKAI enhances security through a two-step process: transaction data analysis and transaction simulation.
When a user initiates a transaction or signs a message, KEKKAI connects to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) nodes to analyze the underlying smart contract opcodes. It then simulates the transaction execution to predict what will actually happen to the user’s wallet—such as losing ETH, transferring NFTs, or approving unlimited token access.
This simulation allows KEKKAI to present users with plain-language summaries like:
- “This action may cause you to lose 1 ETH.”
- “You’re about to approve unlimited spending of your USDT.”
- “This NFT purchase could be fraudulent.”
By translating complex blockchain operations into understandable warnings, KEKKAI bridges the gap between technical backend processes and user awareness.
Detecting Sophisticated Threats
KEKKAI doesn’t just flag generic risks—it targets specific attack vectors commonly exploited in Web3:
- Eth_sign (blind signing): Users unknowingly sign malicious messages.
- Gasless transactions ("free mint" scams): Fake NFT claims that drain wallets.
- SetApprovalForAll: Grants full control over all tokens in a collection.
- "Upgrade To" scams: Impersonating OpenSea’s legacy contract migration.
- Honeypot tokens: Tokens that cannot be sold after purchase.
- Fake tokens & rug pulls: Malicious contracts designed to steal funds.
To ensure accuracy, KEKKAI evaluates multiple indicators—for example, whether an NFT has been verified with a blue check on OpenSea, if the marketplace uses an official contract address, and whether pricing deviates abnormally from market norms.
Duoma emphasized that achieving high simulation accuracy is technically challenging. Network forks, pending transactions, and timing inconsistencies can all affect results. The team spent months refining their engine to deliver reliable previews under real-world conditions.
Expanding Coverage and Accessibility
Currently available as a browser extension, KEKKAI supports transaction simulation and risk detection across approximately 70 EVM-compatible chains—a significant technical achievement that positions it as one of the most broadly integrated security tools in Japan.
Looking ahead, the team is exploring native PC and mobile app versions, which would allow deeper integration with existing wallets and broader distribution. This opens opportunities for partnerships with wallet providers seeking to enhance their built-in security features.
Such B2B integrations could become a key revenue stream, enabling KEKKAI to scale its impact beyond direct-to-consumer adoption.
Market Opportunity in Japan’s Growing Web3 Ecosystem
Japan has emerged as a forward-thinking hub for blockchain innovation. With government-backed initiatives and increasing public interest in digital assets, the environment is ripe for security-focused startups like KEKKAI.
Duoma believes Web3 security will become increasingly vital as more mainstream users enter the space. “As adoption grows, so do attack surfaces,” he said. “We’re building tools that help prevent mistakes before they happen—not just react after losses occur.”
The nine-member team brings deep domain expertise:
- CEO Duoma: Serial founder with experience in SaaS, social apps, and blockchain infrastructure.
- CTO Regison: Former architect of large-scale SaaS open-platform systems.
- BizDev Lead Jack: Specialist in on-chain analytics and blockchain threat intelligence.
Their combined background gives KEKKAI a strong foundation for both technical innovation and market execution.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes KEKKAI different from other Web3 security tools?
A: Unlike threat databases or post-incident trackers, KEKKAI focuses on pre-transaction risk prediction using live simulation. It translates complex blockchain data into clear, user-friendly warnings before any action is confirmed.
Q: Which blockchains does KEKKAI support?
A: KEKKAI currently supports around 70 EVM-compatible chains, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and many layer-2 and sidechain networks.
Q: Is KEKKAI free to use?
A: Yes, the browser extension is currently free. Future premium features or enterprise integrations may introduce tiered pricing models.
Q: Can KEKKAI prevent all types of crypto fraud?
A: While no tool can guarantee 100% protection, KEKKAI significantly reduces risk by detecting known scam patterns such as blind signing, fake NFTs, honeypots, and unauthorized approvals. It continuously updates its detection logic based on new threat intelligence.
Q: How does transaction simulation work without exposing private keys?
A: Simulation occurs off-chain using public node data. No private information or credentials are ever transmitted—users retain full control of their wallets at all times.
Q: Does KEKKAI plan to expand outside Japan?
A: While currently focused on the Japanese market, the team has global ambitions. With multilingual support and broad chain coverage, international expansion is a natural next step.
Future Roadmap: Beyond Wallet Protection
While wallet security remains the core focus, KEKKAI aims to explore adjacent areas within Web3 security. Potential directions include:
- Real-time monitoring for institutional portfolios
- Developer tooling for secure smart contract deployment
- Educational modules integrated into dApps
With solid funding, a technically skilled team, and a clear vision for safer digital interactions, KEKKAI is well-positioned to become a trusted name in the global Web3 security ecosystem.
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As decentralized technologies continue to mature, projects like KEKKAI play a crucial role in ensuring that security keeps pace with innovation—making the promise of Web3 accessible, safe, and sustainable for everyone.