Key Takeaways
- • Komainu has been selected as the sole custodian for all digital asset funds and strategies offered on DigitalArray, a Bermuda-based fund platform launched by AI Global Strategies.
- • AI Global Strategies ISA (AIGS), which is registered under the Bermuda Monetary Authority's Investment Business Act 2003, will use Komainu's third-party digital asset custody services across its platform.
- • Komainu is a joint venture owned by Nomura, CoinShares and Ledger, and is regulated by the JFSC, Dubai's VARA, and holds an MLR registration with the UK FCA and an OAM registration in Italy.
- • Komainu is among the first five partners in Fireblocks' Global Custodian Partner Program, alongside CloudTech Group, Zodia Custody, Zerocap and Rakkar.
- • Komainu named Paul Frost Smith co-CEO in May 2024, alongside Robert Johnson, who was elevated from interim CEO to permanent co-CEO.
Summary
DigitalArray, a Bermuda-based fund platform for digital asset funds launched by AI Global Strategies, has selected Komainu as its custodian for all digital asset funds and strategies. Komainu will provide custody services to all funds offered through the platform, according to the announcement.
AI Global Strategies ISA (AIGS) serves as platform manager for both traditional and digital asset funds. The company is headquartered in Bermuda, is an incorporated segregated account of Alpha Innovations International ISAC Ltd., and is registered to conduct investment business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority under the Investment Business Act 2003. The partnership allows AIGS to leverage Komainu's third-party digital asset custody services.
Komainu, described as a regulated digital asset custodian built by institutions for institutions, is a joint venture between Nomura, digital asset manager CoinShares and digital asset security company Ledger. It is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, and holds an MLR registration with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and an OAM registration in Italy. Darren Jordan, Chief Commercial Officer at Komainu, described AIGS as a true innovator in the digital asset management ecosystem. Lawrence Newhook, CEO of AIGS, said the platform was built to give curated digital asset managers the infrastructure needed for funds to be investible by institutional investors, and that a reputable, regulated custodian is required.
Separately, Fireblocks has named Komainu as one of the first five partners in its Global Custodian Partner Program, which connects users to licensed custodians globally. The other initial partners are CloudTech Group, Zodia Custody, Zerocap and Rakkar.
In May 2024, Komainu appointed Paul Frost Smith as co-CEO, working alongside Robert Johnson, who had served as interim CEO since February and has now been made permanent co-CEO. The board said the structure reflects complementary skill sets. Frost Smith, who has more than 30 years in international financial markets, was most recently co-founder and CEO of Corinthian, and previously ran multi-strategy hedge fund Castlegrove, acquired by Millennium Management in 2008. Johnson joined Komainu as CTO in October 2023 and previously served as CTO and Partner at Coremont and spent 18 years on the trading floor at MUFG Securities.
AI Global Strategies ISA (AIGS) serves as platform manager for both traditional and digital asset funds. The company is headquartered in Bermuda, is an incorporated segregated account of Alpha Innovations International ISAC Ltd., and is registered to conduct investment business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority under the Investment Business Act 2003. The partnership allows AIGS to leverage Komainu's third-party digital asset custody services.
Komainu, described as a regulated digital asset custodian built by institutions for institutions, is a joint venture between Nomura, digital asset manager CoinShares and digital asset security company Ledger. It is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, and holds an MLR registration with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and an OAM registration in Italy. Darren Jordan, Chief Commercial Officer at Komainu, described AIGS as a true innovator in the digital asset management ecosystem. Lawrence Newhook, CEO of AIGS, said the platform was built to give curated digital asset managers the infrastructure needed for funds to be investible by institutional investors, and that a reputable, regulated custodian is required.
Separately, Fireblocks has named Komainu as one of the first five partners in its Global Custodian Partner Program, which connects users to licensed custodians globally. The other initial partners are CloudTech Group, Zodia Custody, Zerocap and Rakkar.
In May 2024, Komainu appointed Paul Frost Smith as co-CEO, working alongside Robert Johnson, who had served as interim CEO since February and has now been made permanent co-CEO. The board said the structure reflects complementary skill sets. Frost Smith, who has more than 30 years in international financial markets, was most recently co-founder and CEO of Corinthian, and previously ran multi-strategy hedge fund Castlegrove, acquired by Millennium Management in 2008. Johnson joined Komainu as CTO in October 2023 and previously served as CTO and Partner at Coremont and spent 18 years on the trading floor at MUFG Securities.
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