Dfns, a leader in wallet-as-a-service solutions for cryptocurrency, has successfully closed a $16 million Series A funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Further Ventures, the venture arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ. Notable contributors include White Star Capital, Hashed, Semantic, and Bpifrance, alongside new participants such as Motive Partners, Wintermute, and Motier Ventures.
A Strategic Vision for Institutional Adoption
Dfns’ decision to focus on institutional clients two years ago has paid off. Recognizing that institutional investors control the majority of global liquidity, Dfns tailored its services to meet their needs by emphasizing robust, bank-grade security and compatibility with traditional financial standards. The approach has positioned Dfns as a trusted infrastructure partner for institutions navigating the crypto space.
“Institutions are the key to driving widespread crypto adoption,” said CEO Clarisse Hagège. “We’ve built our infrastructure to provide uncompromising security, helping trusted institutions adopt crypto with confidence.”
With a reputation for transparency, reliability, and security, Dfns has garnered partnerships with high-profile clients, including Fidelity, Zodia Custody (Standard Chartered), and over 130 fintechs globally. The company’s offerings have been bolstered by regulatory licenses, insurance, independent audits, and certifications.
Strategic Use of Funds
This latest funding follows a $13 million seed round in 2022. Dfns plans to use the Series A capital to accelerate the distribution of its multichain wallet infrastructure, targeting markets in the EU, UK, UAE, and US. Key areas of focus include banks, payment services, trading platforms, tokenization projects, corporate treasuries, and fund administrators.
Unlike many startups, Dfns is pursuing sustainable growth over rapid scaling. The company plans to expand its workforce modestly, from 25 to 35 employees, by year-end. The emphasis remains on delivering world-class infrastructure for fintech clients, offering smarter transaction management, seamless integrations, and superior user experiences.
“Our mission is clear: provide the best-in-class crypto wallet infrastructure,” Hagège added. “We’ll continue to prioritize quality, security, and reliability as we scale.”
Expanding the Future of Crypto
With its sights set on reshaping the crypto landscape, Dfns is driving adoption by building trust among institutions. By combining innovation with a focus on long-term stability, the company aims to make crypto accessible and secure for global finance.
As crypto evolves, Dfns is positioning itself as an essential pillar for the industry’s next phase of growth.