Tether Supports UAE-Based KAIO in $8 Million Funding Round to Tokenize Emirati Investments

KAIO, a regulated tokenization firm in Abu Dhabi, has announced an $8 million strategic funding round led by Tether and other prominent crypto and institutional investors. This investment brings KAIO's total funding to $19 million, with new investors including Systemic Ventures and repeat investors such as Further Ventures, Laser Digital, and Brevan Howard Digital. KAIO creates infrastructure that enables asset managers to distribute their funds on blockchain rails, making traditional investments more accessible. The firm has tokenized products from companies like BlackRock, Brevan Howard, and Hamilton Lane, providing access to these investments through blockchain-based systems. With this new funding, KAIO plans to expand its offerings to include credit, structured investments, and exchange-traded funds, including the launch of an on-chain fund with Mubadala Capital, which manages $385 billion in assets. By tokenizing institutional funds, KAIO aims to lower the barriers to entry for investors, with minimum investments starting at $100 for eligible users. Tether's involvement in the funding round highlights the potential for stablecoin flows to support regulated investment products. According to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, KAIO's approach 'unlocks new pathways for capital formation and investment by bringing institutional-grade assets on-chain and making them more broadly accessible, helping expand participation in global financial markets.' KAIO's platform prioritizes compliance, supporting regulated distribution frameworks in Abu Dhabi, the Cayman Islands, and Singapore. To date, the company has tokenized approximately $100 million in assets and processed over $500 million in transactions.