- Digital Asset’s funding marks a pivotal moment in institutional blockchain adoption.
- As the Canton Network grows, it promises to deliver the privacy, compliance, and scalability.
- Traditional financial institutions need to bring real-world assets on-chain in a secure and interoperable way.
Digital Asset, one of the enterprise blockchain pioneers, has just secured $135 million in a funding round aimed at scaling the Canton Network—its privacy-focused interoperable blockchain ecosystem designed for financial institutions. With backing from major institutions like BNP Paribas and Samsung Venture Investment Corp., this raise signals growing institutional confidence in permissioned, privacy-first blockchain infrastructure. As regulators worldwide call for secure, compliant frameworks, Canton could become a central pillar in institutional blockchain adoption.
What Is the Canton Network? A Private, Permissioned Blockchain for Institutions
The Canton Network is not a public blockchain like Ethereum or Solana. It’s an enterprise-grade infrastructure built specifically for institutions that need privacy, regulatory compliance, and interoperability. Think of it as a network of permissioned blockchains that can securely sync and interoperate without revealing sensitive data on-chain.
Built using Digital Asset’s smart contract language Daml, Canton allows financial firms to automate complex workflows, synchronise records across asset classes, and maintain data privacy without compromising speed. It has already gained traction among asset managers, exchanges, and custody providers looking to tokenize real-world assets.
The $135M Raise: Who Backed It and Why
The funding round was led by prominent global investors, including:
- BNP Paribas: signaling European institutional demand for tokenization
- Samsung Venture Investment Corp: reflecting interest from Asia’s tech giants
- Broadridge and Cboe Global Markets: showing that traditional capital markets players are also leaning into blockchain-powered back-office infrastructure
This round will be used to grow developer access to the Canton Network, onboard more participants from finance and capital markets, and expand privacy-preserving smart contract use cases across tokenized assets, settlements, and regulated DeFi.
Why Privacy Matters in Institutional Blockchain
One of the biggest roadblocks to blockchain adoption in traditional finance is data privacy. While public blockchains offer transparency, institutions handling sensitive trade and client data need selective visibility and controlled access.
The Canton Network solves this with a unique combination of features:
- Composable privacy: Participants see only the data relevant to them
- Real-time synchronization: Ensures consistency without exposing trade data
- Smart permissions: Define who can access what, at what time, under what legal regime
This makes it ideal for regulated markets like derivatives trading, asset servicing, and fund management, where confidentiality is non-negotiable.
What’s Driving Institutional Blockchain in 2025
This funding comes at a moment when institutional interest in tokenized assets is surging. According to recent reports, over $3 trillion in real-world assets is expected to be tokenized by 2030, with an increasing portion managed by permissioned networks.
Canton is positioned at the heart of this shift. As regulators in the U.S., Europe, and Asia finalise crypto custody and digital asset rules, the demand for compliant, enterprise-grade blockchain is increasing. Digital Asset aims to make Canton the go-to infrastructure for such needs.
Use Cases Already in Play
Several financial institutions are already building on or piloting Canton-based solutions:
- BNP Paribas is working on tokenized bonds and digital collateral systems
- Goldman Sachs, via its digital asset platform, is exploring integrations
- ASX is rumored to be re-evaluating its blockchain strategy post-CHESS delays, with Daml-based options back on the table
Even the insurance and trade finance industries are reportedly considering Canton for workflow automation.
How It Differs from Other Enterprise Chains
Unlike Hyperledger or Quorum, Canton doesn’t force participants onto a single chain. Instead, it connects independent ledgers, each of which can operate under its own governance, jurisdiction, and data rules. This modularity makes it more adaptable to real-world legal and operational frameworks.
Moreover, Daml smart contracts are designed to be readable and auditable, reducing friction for compliance teams and regulators. Canton thus acts as both a blockchain and a toolkit for regulated innovation.
Roadmap Ahead: Building the Future of Regulated DeFi
With fresh capital in hand, Digital Asset plans to:
- Expand developer support with SDKs and documentation for enterprises
- Grow global partnerships, especially in APAC and LATAM regions
- Integrate with legacy systems like Swift, FIX protocol, and ERP platforms
- Launch tokenized settlement pilots for cross-border payments and securities
The company is also investing in advanced analytics and observability tools that will allow institutions to monitor smart contract performance and compliance in real time.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Enterprise Blockchain
Digital Asset’s $135 million raise is not just a win for the company—it’s a vote of confidence in the future of private, interoperable blockchain ecosystems. With privacy-first design, regulatory compatibility, and institutional traction, the Canton Network could become the backbone of digital finance infrastructure in the coming years.
