Core Insights - Lloyds Auctions, a revolutionary online art auction platform, was launched on January 1, 2026, and has secured art listings worth over $1 billion, making it one of the fastest-growing art-tech platforms in history [1][8] Company Overview - The platform was founded by Giuseppe Cassin, who has over a decade of experience closing multimillion-dollar deals for filmmakers, artists, and collectors [5] - Frustrated with the outdated art world system, Cassin developed a digital platform that connects sellers directly with a global audience, offering strict authentication, high-quality curation, transparent fees, and real-time bidding [6][10] Platform Features - Lloyds Auctions combines expert curation, rigorous independent authentication, and an intuitive user interface to make buying and selling art seamless and accessible to everyone [10] - The platform aims to provide equal global access to artists, collectors, and sellers, which was previously limited to a select few [6] Market Response - The first special online auction featured a collection of 30 Southeast Asian masters, including works by MF Husain, FN Souza, Manjit Bawa, and Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, with estimated values in the tens of millions [7] - The platform has attracted significant interest from investors and industry insiders, with the potential to achieve unicorn status (valuation over $1 billion) seen as a realistic next milestone [8] Growth and Engagement - In the initial weeks post-launch, the platform has gained new artists and collectors daily, with regular new auctions being initiated [9]