Zodia Markets raises $18.25m from Circle Ventures, expands globally

I came across a thought-provoking headline today: “Gulf heirs set to inherit $1 trillion - hedge funds and crypto are drawing them in.” The implications for the UAE are profound. DIFC already hosts 70+ hedge funds, but this is just the beginning. As generational wealth rolls over and new capital seeks direction, the Gulf is becoming one of the fastest-moving frontiers for alternative finance. Part of that shift is toward crypto, part is toward private markets, and part is toward bridging the local and global. (Bloomberg) Here’s why UAE is uniquely positioned: - Massive capital pools ready to be reallocated into strategic assets beyond real estate and oil. - Progressive regulatory regimes - free zones, supportive oversight, and clarity around digital assets. - Talent and infrastructure - global connectivity, regional hubs, smart city vision. - A mindset shift: younger generations more comfortable with new asset classes, crypto, venture deals, and hybrid structures. This is not just capital chasing returns. It’s capital seeking relevance. If you’re building in alternative investments - crypto, venture, private equity - UAE is not just a base. It’s fast becoming a global launchpad.

Agio Ratings, a British source of risk insights in digital assets, has closed a €5 million funding round to expand its research and engineering teams, supporting banks as they enter the digital asset market 🇬🇧💰 The round was led AlbionVC, with participation from Portage Ventures and MS&AD – bringing total raised to over €9 million. Ana De Sousa, CEO Agio Ratings, said: ”We’re thrilled to have such strong backing from leading investors who understand the massive opportunity in managing crypto risk. This funding allows us to expand our team of world-class researchers and engineers while deepening our partnerships with major financial institutions. The interest we’re seeing from top-tier banks shows that they need our independent risk insights to participate safely.” https://lnkd.in/dPEbDFEg

In Singapore, Faisal Al Hammadi shared his view on how venture investing is adapting to the changing dynamics of crypto. He discussed the growing need for liquidity and how Further is evolving its fund model — balancing traditional venture investing with selective participation in liquid digital assets to align with institutional investors and the broader crypto ecosystem👇

Tokenisation will be massive - 2025 looks like stablecoins big year! Blockchain will enable the reimagining of the global payment system and allow for an extraordinary lowering in transaction costs. Structuring entities and funds to facilitate this new wave of activity will be a significant growth area over the coming years. Wherever you are in the world, Mourant can help. #Blockchain #Tokenisation #DigitalAssets #Mourant

ORQO Group officially launches with $370M AUM and a global HQ in Abu Dhabi. A new institutional asset manager at the intersection of TradFi & DeFi. As CEO Nick Motz said: “Global on-chain asset manager in the making – and $SOIL is a key piece in the ORQO game plan.” This is a strong validation for Real World Assets and institutional DeFi — bringing together private credit, tokenized real estate, digital hedge funds, and compliant yield strategies under one umbrella.

Citigroup's venture capital arm has invested in #BVNK, a London-based company that builds infrastructure for #stablecoin payments. The move signals that major banks are doubling down on digital dollar technology as new U.S. regulations make it easier for traditional finance to enter the #crypto space. The investment, announced October 9, 2025, came through #Citi Ventures. While the exact dollar amount remains undisclosed, BVNK co-founder Chris Harmse confirmed the company’s valuation now exceeds $750 million—higher than its previous funding round. Read the full story here> https://lnkd.in/gsWhjR2P

SoftBank Group Corp. and ARK Investment Management LLC are among potential backers in a major funding round that could solidify Tether.io’s position as one of the world’s largest private companies. The deal would mark a significant step in bringing outside capital to the stablecoin issuer. The two technology-focused investors are part of a group of high-profile names in early discussions to provide funds to Tether. It would be the company’s largest search yet for external investment. https://lnkd.in/euSUfsyr #MergersAcquisitionsDivestitures #Cryptocurrency #Trading

M2 Capital Invests $20M in Ethena to Expand Digital Assets in Middle East ➡️ Read All : https://lnkd.in/ekcq3zPM M2 Capital Limited, the investment arm of UAE-based M2 Holdings, has invested $20 million in Ethena’s governance token, ENA. The move underscores a push to... [...] "#M2Capital #Ethena #DigitalAssets #Investment #MiddleEast #Crypto #Regulation #NBTC"

💰 Berachain secures $110 million led by Polychain Capital to kickstart its on-chain treasury, expanding DeFi utility and ecosystem funding.