XBTO

XBTO is a global crypto-finance company that provides a comprehensive suite of services for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. The firm was officially founded in 2015 by Philippe Bekhazi, Walton Comer, and Richad Idris, who now serve as CEO, CIO, and CTO, respectively. Bekhazi, with a background in derivatives trading and traditional banking at firms like SAC Capital Advisors and Citigroup, identified the need for stability and liquidity in the nascent cryptocurrency market. This insight led to the creation of XBTO, initially branded “XBT Opps,” to address the high volatility and slippage on crypto exchanges.

The company's core business revolves around providing institutional-grade services in the digital asset space. Its operations are structured into two main verticals: capital markets and asset management. The capital markets division offers market making, over-the-counter (OTC) trading, and recently, a focus on the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). XBTO was a pioneering institutional market maker for major exchanges, significantly enhancing order book depth and reducing price volatility. The asset management arm, XBTO Capital, delivers customized investment products, active quantitative strategies, and managed accounts for its clientele.

Expanding beyond its initial focus, XBTO's services now encompass venture capital, crypto mining, and consulting. Through its venture arm, Humla Ventures, XBTO strategically invests in promising blockchain projects, including Deribit, Synthetix, and Lukka. The company also operates a crypto mining facility in New York that utilizes hydropower. In a significant move to enhance its service offerings, XBTO announced the acquisition of Stablehouse, a digital asset custody and trading platform, in 2023, which led to the launch of XBTO ProTrading for institutional investors. The firm is regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and maintains offices in Miami, New York, Paris, and other key financial hubs.

Keywords: crypto finance, digital asset management, institutional trading, market making, OTC trading, cryptocurrency liquidity, venture capital, asset tokenization, real-world assets (RWA), blockchain investment, crypto mining, stablecoins, crypto derivatives, prime brokerage, quantitative strategies, Philippe Bekhazi, institutional crypto services, digital asset custody, financial software, algorithmic trading