A long-running backer of the crypto industry, billionaire hedge fund manager Alan Howard recently invested in two digital asset startups. Billionaire hedge fund manager Alan Howard continues backing the cryptocurrency industry with fresh investment in two digital asset startups. The co-founder of major asset manager Brevan Howard led a $25-million extension raise for London-based crypto services firm Copper.co. The company announced Friday that the new investment follows a $50-million Series B funding round led by companies such as Dawn Capital and Target Global.