In a significant move bridging traditional finance and crypto innovation, Brevan Howard Digital’s Abu Dhabi division has invested $20 million in Kinto, an Ethereum-based financial network designed specifically for institutional investors.

This strategic deployment allows the asset management giant to participate in Kinto’s mining program, where depositors earn token rewards—a DeFi staple that has typically remained off-limits to regulated financial institutions.

Kinto distinguishes itself by integrating compliance features directly at the blockchain level, including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols. This approach removes key regulatory barriers that have historically kept Wall Street firms on the DeFi sidelines.

“Institutions have been waiting for two things: regulatory clarity and compliance features. Now, through Kinto, financial institutions don’t need to wait any longer,” said Ramon Recuero, Kinto’s co-founder and CEO.

The platform also offers enhanced security measures, including a smart contract wallet with default insurance—features designed to address the risk concerns of institutional players.

With Brevan Howard Digital’s participation, the investment signals growing confidence from traditional finance in blockchain-based financial services. This comes as more platforms develop solutions tailored to meet the specific compliance needs of established financial firms.

Kinto’s mining program will run for ten years, distributing token incentives to participants who deposit assets on the network, creating a sustainable reward structure for early institutional adopters.

This investment represents another milestone in the ongoing convergence between traditional asset management and decentralized finance, as Wall Street firms increasingly seek regulated exposure to blockchain innovation.