RQD Clearing Raises $74M to Expand Digital Asset Infrastructure

RQD* Clearing has secured a $74 million strategic investment as the U.S. clearing firm looks to expand its global footprint and strengthen its digital asset infrastructure for financial markets increasingly moving onchain.

Bain Capital Tech Opportunities, the technology investment arm of Bain Capital, led the minority investment. ABN AMRO Clearing Bank and Nyca Partners also participated in the funding round, according to a company announcement on Thursday.

RQD* Clearing plans to deploy the new capital across North America, Asia and the Middle East while developing services focused on digital asset custody, tokenization and blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

The investment reflects growing demand for the behind-the-scenes systems required to support tokenized securities. While blockchain technology can enable assets to trade more efficiently and beyond conventional market hours, financial institutions still require reliable custody, clearing, settlement and risk-management services after transactions occur.

RQD* provides clearing and custody solutions to broker-dealers, investment advisers and international financial institutions seeking access to U.S. markets. Clearing companies play a critical role by tracking positions, transferring securities and cash, and managing counterparty risks between trade execution and final settlement.

The firm has already taken steps toward supporting tokenized U.S. equities. In March, RQD* partnered with Blue Ocean Technologies to develop clearing and settlement infrastructure for tokenized U.S. National Market System equities. The initiative is designed to align with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation’s emerging framework for tokenized securities.

DTCC, which operates core clearing and settlement infrastructure for U.S. securities markets, also advanced its push toward extended trading infrastructure by moving toward 24/5 clearing in June.

RQD* has built a sizable presence in traditional financial markets. The company said it has cleared approximately 515 million equity transactions valued at nearly $2 trillion so far this year. That activity represents about 2.4% of U.S. National Market System equity trading.

The $74 million investment positions RQD* to bridge traditional market infrastructure with tokenized assets as financial institutions increasingly explore blockchain-based securities and around-the-clock trading.