OpenEden’s mission is to bring trillions of dollars in real-world yields on-chain. They believe internet-native money will make RWAs accessible to everyone, creating a more inclusive and decentralized economy. Last month, OpenEden announced that they had achieved over $100 million in Total Value Locked (“TVL”) for their tokenized TBILLs.

By enabling KYC-ed investors, DAOs, and crypto treasury managers to connect their self-custodial wallets and mint TBILL tokens, OpenEden allows them to earn a yield on their idle working capital in stablecoins. The platform’s in-house management of the entire tokenization stack results in greater operational efficiency and higher net yields for token holders. To date, OpenEden has on-boarded over 100 institutional clients.

With the new funding from Binance Labs, OpenEden plans to expand access to RWA-backed yields throughout the DeFi ecosystem. This will be achieved through the introduction of new products, the establishment of channel partnerships, and the exploration of emerging markets.

“Binance Labs provides unwavering support to projects that are unlocking the next wave of opportunities in Web3 through meaningful and sustainable technologies. We believe OpenEden is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing adoption of stablecoins and RWAs, and we are excited to join them on this journey,” said Andy Chang, Investment Director, Binance Labs.

“We are delighted to have the support of Binance Labs, a leader in the Web3 space, as we drive the growth of tokenized real-world assets. Their backing empowers us to accelerate our efforts in blending native yields with real-world yields, which will help stabilize returns in DeFi and create pathways for bringing institutional liquidity onto decentralized platforms,” said Jeremy Ng, Co-Founder of OpenEden.

As the demand for tokenized RWAs has surged, T-Bills have emerged as a preferred choice among issuers. According to blockchain analytics firm Messari, the total value locked in RWAs has grown exponentially over the past year, reaching $8 billion.

About Binance Labs

As the venture capital arm and incubator of Binance, Binance Labs is dedicated to empowering early-stage projects and leading the growth and development of the Web3 ecosystem. Since our founding in 2018, we have consistently focused on the long-term, and provided strategic support and funding to projects, regardless of market cycles.

As a chain- and sector-agnostic venture capital leader in the Web3 space, we back everything from infrastructure to application layers, and our focus has consistently been on tech innovation with meaningful product-market fit and sustainable revenue models.

Binance Labs’ portfolio covers over 250 projects from over 25 countries across six continents. More than 65 of Binance Labs’ portfolio companies are projects that have gone through our incubation programs. For more information, follow Binance Labs on X.

About OpenEden

OpenEden Labs is building the bridge to a new financial system. Its mission is to bring real-world assets to DeFi to unlock trillions of dollars in value.

For more information, visit https://openeden.com/.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, endorsement, analysis, or recommendations with respect to any financial instruments, investments, or issuers. This article may contain forward-looking statements which are by nature subject to risks and uncertainties. Investment in cryptocurrency and DeFi projects involves substantial risk, including the risk of complete loss. This article does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation, or specific needs of any particular person and each individual is urged to consult their legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.

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As CMO, Irwin will develop and lead the firm’s marketing strategy, with a focus on building brand awareness, driving new digital marketing initiatives, and supporting HB’s organic growth strategies. Irwin brings 22 years of experience to the role, most recently serving as Global CMO for Randstad, the world’s largest talent company. She comes with 15 years of financial services industry experience, previously spending a decade at Invesco where she was CMO, North America, and serving as vice president at Merrill Lynch where she focused on elevating digital strategy within the firm.

“I’m energized to be at a people- and client-first company. HB has done an excellent job building a strong reputation and growing organically, and it’s in a prime position for continued growth,” shares Irwin. “We have a great opportunity to leverage increased digital marketing and broader brand-building efforts as the fuel to take HB to the next level.”

Irwin is one of the final key hires in the firm’s strategy to formalize its executive leadership team with dedicated, experienced professionals who have a strategic and sole focus on their area of expertise. HB has seen industry-leading organic and acquisitive growth in recent years, and with Irwin driving marketing initiatives the firm expects to expand its brand awareness efforts in multiple markets.

“We appreciate the strong industry-leading organic growth strategy that Bill has helped build at HB over the past decade and are pleased to see him now be able to focus full-time on serving our family office clients,” says Thomas Carroll, CEO of Homrich Berg. “We are excited to now add Joanna to our leadership team as a talented veteran marketing executive with the right mix of traditional and digital marketing experience to lead us into the next 35 years of our firm growth story.”

An active participant in the Atlanta community, Irwin serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce CMO Advisory Board, the Georgia State University Marketing Roundtable, the American Marketing Association Atlanta Chapter Executive Advisory Board, and the Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) Georgia Board. She previously served on the Board for the Professional Association for Investment Communication Resources. She is also an Advocate with OnBoard and an active mentor to future women leaders.

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Martin brings more than 18 years of financial services industry experience to the new role, where he will lead TradingBlock’s marketing, content development and investor education initiatives across the company’s three business lines.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to TradingBlock to support our next stage of growth and address the surging demand for customizable trading technology that meets traders – whether they be institutional, individual or RIA – where they’re at,” said TradingBlock Founder, President and CEO Jere Wickert. “Michael’s expertise, diverse background and visionary approach will be instrumental in helping us seize new market opportunities.”

Over the course of his career, Martin has evolved from a licensed options broker to a leader in content strategy. Before joining TradingBlock, he was the Head of Content for tastytrade’s Digital Assets division, where he spearheaded initiatives that boosted brand visibility and engagement on platforms like tastylive, tastycrypto, DailyFX and Luckbox Magazine.

Martin previously worked as an options broker at thinkorswim by TD Ameritrade, where he also wrote the TD Ameritrade Market Newsletter. He holds Series 3, 4, 7 and 63 securities registrations, and his expertise spans the options markets, volatility analysis, equities and digital currencies. Martin’s work has appeared in numerous outlets, including the Financial Times.

“I’m excited to be joining TradingBlock at such a pivotal moment in the company’s history,” Martin said. “The financial services technology landscape is rapidly evolving, which not only presents exciting challenges but myriad opportunities as well. I look forward to creating impactful content that speaks to investors and drives engagement and conversions for TradingBlock’s impressive platform.”

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Headquartered in San Francisco with principal offices in Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, New York, London, Milan, and Dubai, US Capital Global is a full-service global private financial group with an established track record in corporate finance, asset management, and capital formation services. All private placements, securities, and other related services are offered by the group’s FINRA-member broker-dealer affiliate, US Capital Global Securities LLC.

Mr. Ford brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career at leading financial institutions. He spent over a decade at Wells Fargo, where he excelled in managing and investing substantial funds, including $2 billion in fixed-income securities for top technology and pharmaceutical firms across California. Additionally, as an IPO specialist, he worked with boutique investment banks to successfully manage and execute public offerings.

Mr. Ford expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “I am thrilled to join US Capital Global’s regional headquarters in Europe. The group is at a pivotal moment in its international expansion, exploring new verticals and offering a comprehensive range of innovative financial solutions. I am excited to contribute to US Capital Global’s continued success in Europe.”

Charles Towle, COO and Managing Partner at US Capital Global, remarked on the appointment, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Giovanni to the group as we continue our global expansion. His extensive network, which includes strong ties with pension plans, municipalities, high-net-worth individuals, and investment consulting firms across the U.S. and Europe, is invaluable. Giovanni also brings significant expertise in real estate, having underwritten, financed, developed, and managed a variety of properties. He is a valuable addition to our global team.”

In 1995, Mr. Ford was entrusted with the critical task of establishing Wells Capital Management’s presence in the New York, Chicago, and Boston markets. Under his leadership, the firm secured key mandates from large pension plans and foundations, including successfully directing $440 million in pension assets to Wells Capital Management’s R2000 growth strategy. Since 2010, Mr. Ford has been actively involved in private equity, with a focus on green technology, healthcare, and real estate development.

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“At Agora, we’re dedicated to creating tools that truly impact our clients’ operations,” stated Lior Dolinski, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Agora. “Our Report Builder and the new Waterfall Automation Tool are prime examples of how we simplify complex tasks, helping real estate professionals save time, boost performance, and focus on growing their business. These tools are both the first of their kind, and they have an extensive number of unique use cases, far more than any other tool out there so far.”

Agora’s Report Builder is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind tool that allows users to create customized and professional reports with ease. From distribution notices to quarterly reports, the Report Builder simplifies complex tasks with drag-and-drop functionality and dynamic fields, similar to popular website-building platforms like Wix and Squarespace. This innovation reinforces Agora’s position as a key player in the real estate investment sector, serving clients across multifamily, residential, industrial, retail, office, agriculture, and debt and equity funds. By leveraging the Report Builder, real estate professionals can save time, streamline processes, and gain a competitive edge.

“Agora really listened when we expressed our challenges with reporting by creating the latest feature, Report Builder. It takes a complicated, error-prone process and makes it smooth and efficient,” said John Domasiewicz, Investment Operations Manager at PPR Capital Management. “This tool is a true game changer for our operations.”

Additionally, Agora has unveiled its Waterfall Automation Tool, designed to automate and simplify the management of waterfall distributions — a critical component of capital allocation among investors. Unlike other tools on the market, Agora’s Waterfall Automation Tool stands out for its ability to handle individual-based waterfalls, which include side letters for open-end funds and debt vehicles, and class-based waterfalls, treat LPs as combined groups with identical terms, and cover a wide range of LPAs. The Waterfall Automation Tool supports over 200 different use cases — far more than any other tool available. This capability eliminates the need for error-prone spreadsheets and delivers a smoother, more transparent process that meets the complex demands of modern real estate investment management.

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Maxiaocai leverages Ant Group’s self-developed foundation model capabilities and partners with financial institutions to deliver expert-level, customized financial services for users. It offers tailored market insights, simplifies complex financial concepts, and provides personalized investment advice. For instance, Maxiaocai can swiftly generate visual summaries of company financial reports, highlighting key details for users, and breaking down intricate financial terms into easy-to-understand language.

“Financial products and services have traditionally demanded a high level of expertise, often making them costly and difficult to access. Today, AI can help make these services more accessible for everyone,” said Wang Jun, President of Ant Fortune. “The successful delivery of AI-driven financial services depends on a robust ecosystem involving financial institutions, service providers, and content creators. Moving forward, closer collaboration across the industry will be crucial in enhancing the accessibility of financial services.”

Ant Group has been public-testing the AI financial manager since early 2024. As of August 2024, it has attracted 70 million monthly active users, with 45% of them living in cities below the third tier. Over 200 financial institutions, including asset management companies, securities firms, financial media, and more than 15,000 financial content creators, are now connected to the platform.

“By putting users at the center, AI helps investors organize the information they need and delivers personalized services,” said Wang Xiaohang, Vice President of Ant Group, CTO of Ant Fortune and Ant Insurance. “Generative AI technology not only enhances how investors interact with financial management services but also transforms the services themselves. By leveraging AI models tailored to professional service sectors, and with the model’s powerful capabilities in general knowledge, understanding, and communication, Maxiaocai can seamlessly integrate financial products, market information, and other services on the Ant Fortune platform, making digital professional financial services accessible to all.”

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Founded in 2002 and headquartered in New York, IntegriDATA helps over 80+ alternative asset managers including hedge funds, private equity firms and fund administrators, service more than $2 trillion of AUM using its software solutions to improve operational efficiency and reduce risk. IntegriDATA specializes in expense allocation, payment automation, and collateral management solutions.

The acquisition of IntegriDATA further strengthens IVP’s asset management offering, positioning the IVP Group as a leading player in asset management technology, software and managed service solutions. Combined with IntegriDATA, IVP has over $5.5 trillion of AUM managed using its technology.

The combination of IVP and IntegriDATA will create the largest market share in expense allocation software for private market players. This powerful platform will enable fund managers to digitize complex expense allocation rules, ensuring compliance with fund expense policies. It will also allow funds to confidently scale their AUM and number of funds or vehicles, while providing a transparent process for regulators and investors to review.

Gurvinder Singh, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of IVP, said, “Alternatives managers continue to seek solutions that can increase their efficiency and control while lowering operational costs. Combining IVP’s and IntegriDATA’s cloud platforms creates a category leader in software for the alternatives industry. When coupled with IVP’s “digital first” managed services platform, public and private markets managers are enabled to confidently scale their AUM, asset and capital pool complexity.”

Mitch Schulman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of IntegriDATA, commented, “We are excited to join forces with IVP. Together, our shared vision and combined strengths will enable us to deliver more comprehensive solutions for our investment management clients.”

Thomas Uger of PPC added, “We are pleased to support IVP’s acquisition of IntegriDATA. We believe the combined company will provide leading technology and services in expense management, payment and treasury solutions, areas that are very important to alternative asset managers.”

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to IVP and NovitasFTCL served as exclusive financial advisor, Finn Dixon & Herling LLP served as legal counsel to IntegriDATA.

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Acuity is headquartered in Orange County, California, home of the fifth largest economy in the world, and some of the most striking coastline to be found anywhere.

Established in 1989, Acuity maintains the largest Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) advisory practice on the West Coast. In addition, Acuity has a long track record of providing defensible opinions for financial reporting, estate and gift tax, and corporate planning needs of its clients. At the same time, Acuity has delivered successful outcomes to dozens of companies over the years that have retained them to lead the execution of various forms of ownership transition transactions. Trustees, boards of directors, investors, entrepreneurs, and their advisors trust Acuity to provide insightful analysis and proactive execution for a variety of strategies where the equity of a business is changing hands.

“Joining Marshall & Stevens provides our team with a larger, more diverse platform to serve the expanding needs of our clients,” said Chris Kramer, CFA, ASA, Founder of Acuity Advisors. “This combination enables us to maintain our core focus of helping owners bring about the successful transition of their businesses through implementation of ESOP’s and other strategies, while adding resources in the areas of real estate and equipment valuations, quality of earnings and investigative accounting, transfer pricing, and litigation support.”

“We welcome Chris Kramer back to Marshall & Stevens where he started his valuation career over three decades ago. Chris has assembled an impressive ESOP valuation and transaction advisory practice at Acuity,” said Mark Santarsiero, President and CEO of Marshall & Stevens. “Adding Acuity to Marshall & Stevens is an indication of our commitment to serving the large population of business owners who desire thoughtful, personalized succession planning solutions.”

MARSHALL & STEVENS
Founded in 1932, Marshall & Stevens works with public and private companies, investors, and trusted advisors to assist with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financing, financial reporting, tax planning and reporting, as well as matters of dispute, insurance, and compliance.

Marshall & Stevens is relied upon to provide Fairness Opinions, Solvency Opinions, and independent opinions of value of businesses, equity and debt instruments, as well as intangible and tangible assets including real estate.

The litigation specialists at Marshall Stevens perform investigative accounting, valuation, damages calculations, consulting, and expert witness services for parties requiring assistance with bankruptcy, restructuring, and receivership, as well as divorce, family law, regulatory, and business disputes.

Since 2023, Marshall & Stevens has grown through its acquisitions of Reliant Business Valuation and Reliant Equipment Appraisal, Rocky Mountain Advisory, Lone Peak Valuation Group, Value Consulting Group, ValueScope, and now Acuity Advisors.

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The consulting, coaching, and marketing firm, formerly known as Advisors’ Academy, supports independent annuity producers in achieving elevated growth and success as income specialists for their clients. Founded by Sound Income Group CEO, David Scranton, in 2006, the division provides one comprehensive training platform for advisors by helping them master the sales process, increase office efficiency, and grow their business.

Sound Income Academy was created to help successful, motivated financial advisors grow their business through customized marketing, coaching, and practice management support,” said Patrick Farrell, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sound Income Group. “Income is at the center of everything we do, and we want our subsidiaries to reflect that mission. We’re proud to have helped hundreds of advisors with our turnkey program and we’re excited to better align this division with the vision at Sound Income Group.”

Sound Income Group consists of three collaborative subsidiaries, each with a focus on enabling advisors to deliver customized income solutions and resources to investors. In addition to Sound Income Academy, the firm includes the Retirement Income Source and Sound Income Strategies. Sound Income Strategies is an SEC-registered RIA with over $3 billion in total assets under management. The Retirement Income Source is a network of advisors focused on delivering income-generating investment strategies.

Erika Wilson, Sound Income Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, added, “We want a name and brand that best reflects what differentiates us from other financial advisors and that is a focus on income. We will continue to provide the same support and unique solutions under a stronger brand.”

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“This transaction aligns with our focus on serving a growing base of wealth management clients, advancing the firm’s footprint in Florida and the regional Southeast, and combining ongoing organic growth with strategic acquisitions in the wealth space,” said Brian Price, CEO of Mesirow Wealth Management.

With the addition of Craig Price, CFP^®, CTFA, and Nancy Zehr, CTFA, Senior Client Relationship Specialist, Mesirow clients and prospects in Southeast Florida gain proximity to an experienced Wealth Advisor with firsthand understanding of planning considerations specific to the Florida region and focus on comprehensive financial planning. Price and his team will gain access to a broader range of investment research resources and the ability to grow their practice backed by Mesirow’s strong resources and reputation.

“We are excited to join Mesirow Wealth Management and know that our business philosophy and personal values are well aligned with the company’s culture,” said Craig Price. “We look forward to deepening Mesirow’s Wealth Management presence in Florida and continuing to advise the families we have long served.”

Over the next 2-3 years, the firm plans to grow its headcount, with an initial focus on Wealth Management and Capital Markets, including corporate and governmental clients, while also expanding its presence along the west coast of Florida. Over the intermediate to longer-term, the goal is to grow across the greater Southeast region, opening offices in locations to best serve clients and expand organically and through opportunistic, complementary lift-ins and bolt-on acquisitions.

Mesirow Wealth Management has more than $11.4 billion in assets under management / assets under advisement, and Mesirow overall has $288.1 billion in assets under supervision.

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