DeFi Technologies Enters RWA Market With Regulated Stablecoin, Following Nasdaq Listing

DeFi Technologies (Nasdaq: DEFT), a financial technology company focused on bridging traditional capital markets with decentralized finance, has announced a significant expansion of its operations, marked by its recent Nasdaq listing and a strategic entry into the real-world asset (RWA) sector with a new regulated stablecoin.

The company's common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "DEFT" on May 12, 2025. This uplisting from the OTC Markets is a pivotal step for DeFi Technologies, aimed at enhancing its visibility, improving liquidity, and providing broader access for both institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to the evolving financial landscape.

Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of DeFi Technologies, commented that the Nasdaq listing "is a reflection of the strong fundamentals and momentum behind our business." The listing did not involve any new capital raising, as the company reported a strong financial position of C61.9 million ($44.7 million) in cash and digital asset holdings as of April 30, 2025.

On Tuesday, DeFi Technologies announced a strategic push into the RWA space through a joint venture and lead equity investment in Fire Labs, a stablecoin infrastructure provider. This partnership will see the development of a fully regulated, USD-backed stablecoin issued directly by a U.S. chartered bank. To ensure secure and scalable adoption, Fire Labs will integrate with Kraken Embed, Kraken's modular crypto infrastructure platform, enabling seamless access to the stablecoin within institutional and enterprise platforms, the announcement said.

The initiative aligns with growing regulatory support in the U.S., particularly the pending GENIUS Act, a bipartisan bill designed to establish a clear federal framework for fiat-backed stablecoins issued by regulated institutions. Fire Labs' stablecoin will be backed by a 105% reserve ratio, exceeding typical regulatory requirements, and will feature a companion yield-bearing token designed for compliant, bank-backed returns tailored for institutional investors.

DeFi Technologies anticipates generating revenue through trading fees, yield participation, and broader integration across its existing business lines, including Valour, Stillman Digital, and DeFi Alpha.

"This joint venture with Fire Labs positions DeFi Technologies at the forefront of the stablecoin and RWA revolution. Partnership and integration with one of the leading and largest exchanges, Kraken, validates the go-to-market and technology," Roussy said. He added that as market volatility drives investors toward secure, yield-bearing digital assets, this partnership "unlocks significant opportunities for our clients and subsidiaries."

The stablecoin market has seen substantial growth, with its market capitalization soaring to approximately $225 billion as of early 2025, an increase of over $100 billion in the past year.