Singapore-based start-up Synthesys has secured $11m (£8.5m) in seed and strategic funding to develop next-generation infrastructure for tokenised securities globally. The funding round was led by super-angel investor Mark Pui, known for his focus on technology and blockchain investments. Synthesys, formerly Equitize, plans to bridge the gap in siloed liquidity across jurisdictions, a challenge that has hindered institutional participation.
Tokenised mutual funds have seen a remarkable 7,400% growth in assets under management over the past six months, indicating a significant shift in the market. Financial giants such as BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Fidelity have already launched tokenised money-market funds, whilst Nasdaq has filed to enable tokenised ETF and equity trading. Regional leaders like HSBC, OCBC, and DBS have also issued tokenised bonds and structured notes.
Darien, CEO of Synthesys, highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity and blockchain’s role in enhancing traditional financial infrastructure. “Financial institutions are now recognising the operational efficiencies of tokenising securities—not as a future concept, but as a reality today,” he stated.
Tokenised funds streamline processes by embedding compliance into smart contracts on a digital ledger, reducing settlement times and administrative costs. Synthesys’ modular infrastructure allows seamless interaction between previously siloed financial systems, unlocking deeper liquidity and broader market access.
Pui remarked, “This raise enables us to scale the infrastructure needed to continue building towards making the future of capital markets more efficient, transparent, and accessible.” Founded in 2023, Synthesys is rapidly expanding across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, working with global and regional asset managers to enable tokenisation.