Digital Asset, the innovative force behind the privacy-oriented Canton Network, has successfully secured $135 million in a strategic funding round, drawing participation from major players in both traditional finance and the crypto world. Announced on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the round was spearheaded by DRW Venture Capital and Tradeweb Markets. This financial boost is poised to further cement Canton’s position in the blockchain sphere, with notable investors including BNP Paribas, Circle Ventures, Citadel Securities, and others rallying behind its vision.
The Privacy Play
For over a decade, privacy has stood as a pivotal concern for enterprises embracing blockchain technology. Financial behemoths, particularly banks, have been cautious, seeking platforms that offer robust privacy features. Enter Digital Asset’s Canton Network—a blockchain that places configurable privacy settings at its core. It’s not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity for institutions wary of exposing sensitive financial data.
Yuval Rooz, CEO of Digital Asset, elucidated the network’s unique proposition, noting, “Everybody can connect to Canton, but if I wanted to issue an asset on Canton, I can decide what are the privacy settings of that asset.” This flexibility allows for a spectrum of privacy, from Ethereum-like transparency to complete invisibility of assets, all within the same network. Such adaptability has attracted giants like Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon to test real-world assets (RWAs) on Canton, showcasing its potential to redefine asset issuance and management. This follows a pattern of institutional adoption, which we detailed in our analysis of JPMorgan’s trademark filing for a digital asset platform.
Real-World Assets and Beyond
The fresh infusion of capital is set to expand Canton’s reach within the realm of RWAs, a sector gaining traction as blockchain technology matures. The network currently supports a variety of assets including bonds, money market funds, and even life insurance. Notably, it facilitates transactions across different privacy levels, a feature that could revolutionize how institutions handle complex financial products.
Don Wilson, CEO of DRW, highlighted the strategic importance of this development, stating, “With trillions of dollars’ worth of real-world assets already leveraging the Canton Blockchain, this next round of funding creates significant momentum for the company and cements Canton as the de facto protocol for global collateral mobility.” The sentiment underscores the growing confidence in Canton’s ability to enable seamless, secure transactions across disparate financial landscapes. For a deeper dive into similar strategic funding moves, see our coverage of Ubyx’s recent $10M round.
A Convergence of TradFi and Crypto
The involvement of both traditional finance titans and crypto-centric firms in this funding round signals a broader convergence within the financial ecosystem. Institutions like the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and Virtu Financial bring a wealth of experience in market infrastructure, while crypto-native entities like Paxos contribute fresh perspectives on digital asset management.
Such a diverse investor base suggests a burgeoning recognition of blockchain’s transformative potential, not just as a disruptor but as a collaborator in the existing financial framework. As more RWAs are tokenized and integrated into blockchain networks, the lines between traditional and digital finance continue to blur.
Looking Ahead
While the current momentum is promising, questions linger about the long-term sustainability of this trend. Can Canton maintain its edge in an increasingly crowded blockchain space? Will the privacy features resonate with a broader audience beyond financial institutions? These are the uncertainties that hover as Digital Asset charts its course forward.
What’s clear, however, is that the latest funding round has positioned Canton at the forefront of blockchain innovation. As it continues to expand its capabilities and attract diverse stakeholders, the network seems poised to play a pivotal role in the next chapter of financial evolution.
As we navigate through 2025, the trajectory of Canton and its impact on the broader financial ecosystem will be closely watched. The interplay between privacy, asset mobility, and blockchain technology is set to redefine how we perceive and interact with financial assets. And that’s a narrative worth following.
Source
This article is based on: Digital Asset, Builder of Privacy-Focused Blockchain Canton, Raises $135M
Further Reading
Deepen your understanding with these related articles:
- Standard Chartered Sees New Growth Frontiers in Non-Stablecoin Tokenization
- CoinDesk Indices, Sentora Unveil Stablecoin Overnight Rates to Mirror Money Market Tools
- Bitcoin DeFi Project Elastos Debuts BTC-Backed Stablecoin BTCD
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.
