Decentralized finance pioneers IntoTheBlock and Trident Digital have joined forces in a high-stakes merger to form Sentora—a new venture aimed squarely at institutional investors eager to navigate the burgeoning DeFi landscape. With the ink barely dry, the newly minted company is already poised to close a $25 million funding round, led by New Form Capital, cementing its ambitions to transform the way traditional finance interacts with blockchain technology.
A New Era for Institutional DeFi
The merger, announced today, is more than just another headline in the ever-evolving crypto world. It represents a strategic pivot towards creating a gateway that simplifies the complex web of DeFi for institutional investors. Anthony DeMartino, co-founder of Trident and a former risk strategist at Coinbase, takes the helm at Sentora, bringing a wealth of experience to the table. “We’re aiming to make DeFi accessible and secure for institutions that have been cautious about entering this space,” DeMartino remarked in a recent interview, hinting at the untapped potential lying in wait. As explored in our recent coverage of restaking’s potential to enhance DeFi security for institutional traders, the focus on security is a crucial step towards broader adoption.
This strategic alliance couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. DeFi, once the rebellious underdog of the finance world, is maturing into a robust, blockchain-based financial ecosystem. The trend of consolidation within the crypto industry is gathering steam, with 88 mergers and acquisitions clocked in the first four months of 2025 alone, according to Architect Partners. It’s a sign of the times—DeFi is growing up, and institutions are taking notice.
Bridging Complexities in DeFi
Sentora’s game plan is straightforward yet ambitious: to serve as a comprehensive platform for institutional investors. By combining IntoTheBlock’s prowess in DeFi analytics—boasting over $3 billion in institutional deployments—with Trident’s knack for structuring liquidity programs, Sentora aims to offer yield strategies, compliance, risk management, and access to structured products under one roof. Jesus Rodriguez, co-founder of IntoTheBlock and now CTO of Sentora, laid out the vision: “The goal is to build core primitives that allow any institution, whether a crypto-native or a traditional finance entity, to interact with DeFi seamlessly and securely.”
The challenge, however, is not trivial. The DeFi landscape is a dizzying array of protocols and chains, with each new venture adding another layer of complexity. DeMartino acknowledged this hurdle: “It shouldn’t be this hard. You shouldn’t need to learn about a new chain or protocol every time you want to invest.” Sentora aims to demystify these complexities, offering a unified platform that manages risk and liquidity while maintaining transparency about the underlying technology.
The Road Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges
As DeFi continues its march towards mainstream acceptance, Sentora is positioning itself as a key player in this evolving narrative. The potential for growth is staggering. While DeFi protocols currently manage less than $130 billion in assets, the traditional finance sector—represented by giants like BlackRock and Fidelity—commands trillions. DeMartino’s vision is clear: “We’re building the rails for the next 130 trillion of assets to come onchain.” This aligns with recent moves by major financial institutions, such as Franklin Templeton’s backing of a Bitcoin DeFi initiative, which underscores the growing utility seen by traditional investors.
Yet, questions remain. Can Sentora overcome the skepticism that still lingers in traditional finance circles? Will the consolidation trend continue to reshape the DeFi landscape in 2025 and beyond? As the industry grapples with these uncertainties, Sentora’s bold move underscores a growing recognition that the future of finance may well be decentralized.
In the months to come, as the final pieces of the funding round fall into place by June 2025, all eyes will be on Sentora to see if it can deliver on its promise to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the avant-garde world of DeFi. The stakes are high, but so are the potential rewards—ushering in a new era where blockchain technology meets institutional finance head-on.
Source
This article is based on: IntoTheBlock and Trident Merge With $25M Backing to Build Institutional DeFi Gateway
Further Reading
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- Crypto Coalition Tells SEC Staking Is ‘Essential Good,’ Not a Security
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.
