In the bustling financial hub of Abu Dhabi, a new player has emerged on the global asset management stage. ORQO Group, a fresh yet promising institutional asset manager, has made a significant debut with a hefty $370 million in assets under management (AUM). The company isn’t just stopping there; it’s setting its sights on revolutionizing the digital finance landscape with a particular focus on Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin.
Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance
ORQO’s launch is a strategic move that consolidates expertise from both traditional finance and digital asset realms. The group combines the strengths of four entities: Mount TFI, a private debt specialist based in Poland; Monterra Capital, a multi-strategy digital hedge fund from Malta; the innovative minds at blockchain engineering studio Nextrope; and Soil, a DeFi protocol compliant with MiCA, the European Union’s crypto regulatory framework.
Nicholas Motz, the CEO of ORQO, articulated the group’s ambition to capitalize on the burgeoning digital asset market. “It’s an opportunity to become a global on-chain asset manager,” Motz remarked, emphasizing the unique blend of off-chain and on-chain asset management capabilities that ORQO offers. The company is already licensed in Poland and Malta and is eagerly awaiting approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at Abu Dhabi Global Market to expand its operations in the Middle East—a region it views as a fertile ground for regulated digital asset growth.
Tokenization: The Future of Real-World Assets
ORQO’s strategy aligns with a broader trend that’s been gaining traction in the crypto markets—the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). This process involves moving traditional financial instruments like private credit, U.S. Treasuries, and trade finance deals onto blockchain networks. According to data from rwa.xyz, the RWA market has ballooned into a nearly $30 billion sector, although it remains a fraction of the $2 trillion private credit market.
However, the potential for growth is enormous. A joint report by Ripple and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) forecasts that the tokenized RWA market could skyrocket to $18.9 trillion by 2033. With such projections, ORQO’s entry into this space seems timely and forward-thinking.
The Role of Soil in ORQO’s Vision
At the heart of ORQO’s strategy is the yield platform Soil, which serves as a critical component in connecting the firm’s RWA access with crypto capital. Soil aims to offer returns on stablecoin deposits from tokenized private credit, real estate, and hedge fund strategies. This innovative approach not only attracts crypto-savvy investors but also appeals to traditional financial institutions seeking to diversify their portfolios with blockchain-based assets.
In the coming months, ORQO plans to roll out several credit pools targeting holders of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. This initiative will allow institutional treasuries and protocol reserves to earn yields on their holdings, providing a new avenue for income generation in the digital asset space.
Balancing Innovation and Regulation
While ORQO’s ambitions are grand, the path forward is not without challenges. The firm must navigate the complex regulatory landscapes of the regions it operates in, particularly as it expands its services in the Middle East. However, ORQO’s commitment to compliance, as evidenced by its adherence to the MiCA framework, positions it well to address these hurdles.
Moreover, ORQO’s launch comes at a time when the global financial ecosystem is increasingly recognizing the value of integrating traditional financial instruments with blockchain technology. This convergence, often dubbed the “financial internet,” promises to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in financial markets.
A Balanced Perspective
While ORQO’s debut in Abu Dhabi marks an exciting development in the digital asset management space, it’s essential to maintain a balanced perspective. The tokenization of real-world assets is still in its nascent stages, and the road to widespread adoption is fraught with technological, regulatory, and market challenges. However, the potential rewards, as highlighted in the Ripple and BCG report, suggest that the journey is worth undertaking.
As ORQO continues to carve out its niche in the market, the firm’s success will hinge on its ability to innovate while maintaining regulatory compliance and managing risk. For investors and industry observers, ORQO’s progress will be closely watched as an indicator of the broader trends shaping the future of finance.
In conclusion, ORQO’s debut in Abu Dhabi with $370 million in AUM and its focus on Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin mark a significant step in the evolution of asset management. By bridging the gap between traditional and digital finance, ORQO is not only positioning itself as a leader in the tokenization of real-world assets but also contributing to the ongoing transformation of global financial markets.
Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
