Even a whiff of the world’s hottest technologies — blockchain and cryptocurrency — are enough to get investors very excited.

First Growth Funds (ASX:FGF) surged as much as 40 per cent on Thursday after appointing a blockchain and cryptocurrency expert to its board.

Blockchain — a technology that provides a public ledger of digital transactions — is best-known as the foundation for “cryptocurrencies” such as bitcoin.

First Growth shares have quadrupled since September when it first announced it had “actively reviewed” several deals around blockchain and cryptocurrency.

FGF share price movements over the past year. Source: Investing.com
FGF share price movements over the past year. Source: Investing.com

On Thursday the board cemented that position with the appointment of Aussie tech executive Anoosh Manzoori.

The shares hit a high of 1.8c on Thursday, before closing up 31 per cent at 1.7c.

That’s despite no indication as to what kind of blockchain or cryptocurrency related transaction the company might pursue.

All shareholders know is that any investment will be through FGF’s new digital currency subsidiary, ICO-N.

Tech expert Anoosh Manzoori has been appointed to the FGF board.
Tech expert Anoosh Manzoori has been appointed to the FGF board.

“The purpose of the establishment of this subsidiary will be for a direct investment into a cryptocurrency exchange and blockchain technology,” First Growth told investors at the time, as well as flagging “advanced stage” negotiations in cyber security.

Mr Manzoori will draw on his experience as chief of advisory firm Shape Capital and member of the government’s industry, innovation and science program.

Mr Manzoori is also a director of ASX-listed “Internet of Things” company CCP Technologies (ASX:CT1), which monitors control points such as temperature or water quality for food safety.