Focusing on RWA asset tokenization trading, the on-chain trading lock Ostium announced it has completed a $20 million financing. Founder Kiernan-Linn stated that Ostium aims to become a global offshore broker, targeting non-crypto retail traders outside the United States.
Decentralized exchange newcomer Ostium raised $20 million, with a valuation of $250 million.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) startup Ostium announced it has completed a $20 million fundraising, with investors including well-known institutions like General Catalyst, Coinbase Ventures, Wintermute, and GSR. This round of financing has brought Ostium's valuation to approximately $250 million. Ostium aims to allow users to trade real-world assets (RWA) such as stocks, metals, and oil, while also supporting some cryptocurrencies and providing high-leverage perpetual contracts.
After Hyperliquid rises in 2025, challenging large platforms like Binance, the perpetual contract market has rapidly expanded. Startups supported by Peter Thiel like Lighter, and Aster related to Binance have all joined the battle. However, Ostium takes a differentiated approach. Its co-founder Kiernan-Linn pointed out that protocols like Hyperliquid are more like crypto versions of stock exchanges, while Ostium's goal is to compete with online brokers like Robinhood, eToro, or IG.
Unlike most perpetual protocols that start with cryptocurrencies, Ostium entered the market with tangible assets such as metals and energy, currently attracting crypto-native users wanting to trade in traditional markets. After the new round of financing, the team plans to target non-crypto retail investors outside the United States, especially in the offshore brokerage market.
Kiernan-Linn stated that most overseas users want to access the US market but have to face complex and opaque intermediaries and outdated technology. 'This is a typical market suitable for blockchain transformation, but almost no one is truly invested.' She believes Ostium has the potential to become a disruptor in this field.
Industry insiders: Users find on-chain trading of US stocks and foreign exchange lacks appeal.
However, ideals are abundant, while reality is stark. Whether the market will buy into Ostium remains to be seen. Chain News consulted an industry insider, who stated that just the tokenization of US stock trading lacks appeal for users, let alone the less common metal and foreign exchange trading in the cryptocurrency circle.
The author believes Ostium has focused on metal and foreign exchange trading since its launch, but the data shows no improvement. Now, competitors like Hyperliquid and Bitget are gradually integrating US stocks, metals, and foreign exchange trading, making it hard for Ostium to compete with these platforms that bring their own traffic.
This article on-chain gold and oil exchange Ostium announced it has completed a $20 million financing, with a valuation of $250 million. It first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.
