DigiFT

DigiFT is a Singapore-headquartered regulated exchange for on-chain real-world assets (RWAs), combining traditional securities licensing with public blockchain settlement. Founded in 2021 by Henry Zhang, a former Citibank China executive who built online RMB payment systems in the early 2000s, DigiFT operates as what the company describes as an RWA DEX: a fully licensed venue where tokenized institutional investment products trade and settle on permissionless public blockchains rather than on private, centralized ledgers.

Regulatory Framework

DigiFT holds dual regulatory approval across two of Asia's leading financial centers. In Singapore, it operates under a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license and a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the first exchange in Singapore to receive both for on-chain real-world asset trading. A third MAS license — granting custody rights — was added in March 2025, enabling DigiFT to handle issuing, trading, and storing blockchain-based security tokens in-house without relying on external custody partners.

In Hong Kong, DigiFT received Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 4 (advising on securities) licenses from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), making it the first platform regulated by both the MAS and SFC for institutional-grade tokenized RWAs.

Before receiving its full commercial licenses, DigiFT completed an 18-month MAS sandbox period during which it listed five tokens covering real-world assets and Ethereum staking.

How the Platform Works

DigiFT functions as a hybrid venue: decentralized settlement on public blockchains with centralized compliance controls for KYC and AML layered on top. Every token issued on the platform must carry clear asset-backing and redemption rules, with underlying assets held by institutional-grade custodians through independently verified structures.

The platform deploys tokenized products across multiple public blockchains — Ethereum, Arbitrum, Solana, and Plume — so that liquidity is not siloed within a single network. Access is restricted to accredited and institutional investors. DigiFT offers a gas-free trading model on its exchange interface, removing friction for institutional participants.

The end-to-end service covers structuring, issuance, distribution, and post-trade liquidity for asset managers bringing investment products on-chain.

Products and Asset Classes

DigiFT has launched and distributed tokenized products across several asset classes:

U.S. Treasuries: DUST (DigiFT U.S. Treasury Token) was among the first fully regulatory-compliant U.S. Treasury tokens issued on a public blockchain. A follow-on product, DRUST, operates on both Ethereum and Arbitrum.

Money Market Funds: DigiFT became a distribution partner for uMINT, a tokenized money market fund launched by UBS Asset Management in November 2024. uMINT tokens have also been used as on-chain collateral in DeFi protocols, demonstrating how tokenized TradFi instruments can integrate with broader crypto infrastructure.

Private Credit: In February 2025, DigiFT partnered with Invesco to tokenize access to a $6.3 billion private credit fund on Ethereum and Arbitrum. Unlike most tokenized private credit structures carrying long redemption windows, this product offers daily liquidity. Investors can subscribe using fiat dollars or stablecoins such as USDC and USDT.

Volatility Strategies: DigiFT introduced pEAK, described as the first institutional-grade tokenized volatility strategy.

Physical Gold: In April 2026, DigiFT collaborated with OCBC and Lion Global Investors to issue GOLDX — Southeast Asia's first tokenized physical gold fund — on both Ethereum and Solana. The underlying LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund held approximately S$669 million (US$526 million) in assets at launch. GOLDX tokens are subscribable with stablecoins or fiat and redeemable in kind.

Japanese Equities on Solana: In July 2026, DigiFT and SBI Global Asset Management launched JX (SBI Japan High Dividend Equity Strategy Token), the first tokenized actively managed Japanese equity strategy deployed on Solana. JX provides direct ownership of the underlying strategy rather than derivative or synthetic exposure, managed by SBI Global Asset Management, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, one of Japan's largest financial groups. Solana was selected for its 100-millisecond block times, sub-cent transaction fees, and the throughput capacity required for frequent settlement, redemption processing, and secondary market trading at institutional scale.

Solana Integration

DigiFT's adoption of Solana represents an expansion of the network's role in institutional finance. GOLDX (launched April 2026) and JX (launched July 2026) are both live on Solana. In July 2026, DigiFT, SBI Group, and Startale Group announced joint proof-of-concept work for JPYSC (Japanese Yen Stablecoin)-powered settlement and automated on-chain dividend distribution of tokenized securities, piloted on Solana's infrastructure.

The choice to deploy institutional RWA products on Solana alongside Ethereum and Arbitrum reflects the practical requirements of financial products: frequent settlement cycles, predictable costs at scale, and throughput capable of handling high-frequency redemption processing.

Institutional Partnerships

DigiFT's distribution and tokenization relationships span major global asset managers and financial institutions. Confirmed partners include UBS Asset Management, Invesco, Wellington Management, CMB International Asset Management, Franklin Templeton (BENJI partnership), OCBC, Lion Global Investors, SBI Global Asset Management, and DBS Bank. A 2026 MOU with Quantum Solutions targets approximately $500 million in RWA tokenization by end-2026, focused on corporate cash flows from AI data center leasing, mobile gaming, and film financing.

Funding

DigiFT has raised $25 million to date. The most recent strategic round was led by SBI Holdings, with participation from Mirana Ventures, Offchain Labs (the team behind Arbitrum), Yunqi Partners, and Polygon Labs. Earlier rounds were led by HashKey Capital and Shanda Group. Capital is directed toward product diversification across additional asset classes, smart contract infrastructure for interoperability and capital efficiency, and ecosystem tooling for builders working with DigiFT-issued tokens.

Market Context

The tokenized RWA market grew from $5.9 billion to $21.9 billion during 2025 — a 271% increase in a single year. DigiFT operates as regulated infrastructure within that market, focusing on the compliance and custody layer that institutional asset managers require before bringing investment products on-chain. Its multi-chain strategy, now including Solana for equity and gold products, positions it to serve both the Ethereum-native institutional base and the growing number of asset managers evaluating higher-throughput networks for settlement-intensive products.