Wavebridge

Established in 2018, Wavebridge is a South Korean financial technology company positioning itself as a crucial link between traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset market. The firm was founded by CEO Jongwook Oh, whose career includes roles as a portfolio manager at Mirae Asset Global Investments and Samsung Asset Management, and as a co-founder and CFO of QARASoft. This background in quantitative finance and asset management within established financial institutions provided the impetus for creating a platform to address the systemic inefficiencies and regulatory gaps observed in the market.

Wavebridge provides a comprehensive suite of digital asset financial services primarily targeting institutional and corporate clients, including Web3 foundations, family offices, asset managers, and high-net-worth individuals. The company operates on a prime brokerage model, offering services that encompass trade execution, custody, collateralized lending, and integrated asset management. Revenue is generated through these financial services, which are designed to provide clients with secure and compliant access to the digital asset space. The firm has obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in both South Korea and Lithuania, signaling its commitment to regulatory adherence across different jurisdictions.

The company's flagship product is 'Wavebridge Prime' (previously known as Dolfin), an integrated platform for institutional digital asset management. This service provides unified access to multiple exchanges, leveraging smart order routing to ensure clients execute large-volume trades at optimal prices. A key feature is its 'Best Execution' capability, which focuses on achieving the most favorable transaction prices for clients. The platform also includes institution-exclusive administrative functions such as accounting, settlement, and reporting to meet compliance and operational needs. Beyond its brokerage platform, Wavebridge develops quantitative, algorithm-based investment solutions and risk management tools for financial institutions.

Since its inception, Wavebridge has secured significant funding to fuel its growth, including a Series A round and a $7.8 million Series B round in December 2022, with participation from investors like KB Investment, Aju IB Investment, and NH Venture Investment. A notable milestone includes a partnership with NEOS Investment, which led to the listing of four ETFs on U.S. exchanges. The company has also expanded its global reach through strategic collaborations, such as an integration with Zodia Custody to offer clients secure asset custody solutions.

Keywords: digital assets, prime brokerage, institutional finance, cryptocurrency, quant trading, asset management, fintech, financial infrastructure, blockchain finance, regulatory compliance