Paxos Strengthens DeFi Custody With $100M Fordefi Acquisition
In a landmark move for the blockchain and cryptocurrency world, Paxos, a leading blockchain infrastructure provider, has announced its acquisition of institutional wallet developer Fordefi. This step signals a bold push to enhance secure, regulated custody infrastructure for institutional investors entering the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
While the financial details of the deal remain confidential, insider reports suggest a valuation exceeding $100 million. This strategic acquisition underscores Paxos’ commitment to strengthening institutional adoption of digital assets through innovative custodial technology.
Why This Acquisition Matters
The blockchain ecosystem is rapidly evolving, particularly as businesses shift towards on-chain operations like tokenized assets, stablecoin settlements, and complex DeFi strategies. Fordefi, a trusted enterprise wallet provider founded in 2021, specializes in modular custody solutions through multi-party computation (MPC) wallet technology. This innovative model enhances security by reducing single points of failure.
Paxos plans to integrate Fordefi’s policy-centered wallet features into its existing infrastructure, creating a unified platform that supports secure asset management, DeFi protocol access, and tokenized financial instruments. According to Paxos CEO Charles Cascarilla:
“We’re excited to welcome Fordefi to our team. Together, we provide a world-class custody solution built upon regulated infrastructure and advanced wallet technology. This represents the next evolution in institutional access to digital assets.”
Fordefi’s Vital Role in the Future of DeFi
Fordefi’s pioneering MPC-based infrastructure provides institutions with compliance-ready toolsets for decentralized and centralized operations. As part of the acquisition, Fordefi will initially continue to operate independently, facilitating a phased integration into Paxos’ ecosystem. CEO Josh Schwartz of Fordefi remarked:
“Fordefi’s wallet platform is trusted by nearly 300 enterprises worldwide. Joining Paxos allows us to bring our technology to a broader audience while maintaining our focus on security, innovation, and usability.”
With over $120 billion in monthly transaction volume facilitated through Fordefi’s platform, this partnership equips enterprises, hedge funds, and trading desks with next-generation custodial solutions. Critical components such as streamlined compliance engines and user-friendly APIs further enhance enterprise adoption of blockchain-based assets.
Paxos’ Regulatory Edge
Paxos sets itself apart by maintaining stringent regulatory oversight, being licensed under bodies such as NYDFS in the USA, MAS in Singapore, FSRA in Abu Dhabi, and FIN-FSA in Europe. This compliance-first approach has positioned Paxos as the infrastructure partner of choice for global brands, including MasterCard, PayPal, Nubank, and Interactive Brokers.
By integrating Fordefi’s wallet capabilities, Paxos enhances its clients’ ability to securely manage, tokenize, and transact digital assets while retaining access to emerging opportunities in DeFi markets. This move solidifies their leadership in blockchain innovation for institutional investors.
A Unified DeFi Solution for Enterprises
This acquisition is more than just a business transaction; it represents a significant step towards mainstreaming blockchain technology for real-world financial applications. Combining Paxos’ regulatory-grade infrastructure with Fordefi’s cutting-edge wallet tech provides enterprises with a comprehensive foundation to explore tokenization, stablecoin-powered payments, and DeFi access at scale.
If you’re an enterprise considering blockchain solutions, now is the time to explore secure and regulated custodial platforms such as those provided by Paxos and Fordefi.
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