Abu Dhabi-based tokenization platform KAIO raised $8mn in a strategic round led by stablecoin issuer Tether on 20 Apr, bringing total funding to $19mn.
Tether Leads $8mn KAIO Round To Bring BlackRock-Style Funds Onchain
21 April 2026 - 18:57 CEST
By Sandmark staff
Participants included Systemic Ventures, Further Ventures and Nomura's Laser Digital, with Brevan Howard Digital returning as an existing backer.
KAIO lets asset managers bring funds from BlackRock, Hamilton Lane and Brevan Howard onto blockchain rails. It currently manages about $100mn in assets and has processed over $500mn in transactions.
The firm plans to cut minimum tickets to as low as $100 and expand into credit and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for a wider digitally native audience.
Tether's role highlights efforts to connect its dominant dollar-pegged stablecoin, USDT, with tokenized real-world assets. The capital will accelerate onchain distribution of regulated products, including potential Emirati funds, in a sector where tokenized RWAs have grown to around $29.3bn in April 2026.
