London, 27th March 2024 Laser Digital, Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary, is launching a new venture in collaboration with blockchain protocol TruFin, a WebN incubated company. This initiative leverages Polygon’s Aggregation Layer (AggLayer) to transform the network’s liquidity potential in the digital economy into an investment opportunity in the analog economy, by introducing the Laser Digital Polygon Adoption Fund (“Fund”). The Fund is set to provide institutional investors with exposure to Polygon-MATIC, the native gas and staking token for the Polygon proof of stake (PoS) protocol — one of the most widely used EVM-compatible sidechains for Ethereum. The Fund will also tap into native staking rewards via TruFin’s TruStake liquid staking solution. 

The Fund seeks to offer traditional investors a familiar interface while providing security for the Polygon protocols through the act of staking, which allows participants to earn yield from regulating and validating cryptocurrency transactions. It is specifically tailored for sovereign wealth funds, institutional funds, and private asset managers. Institutional investors are beginning to understand the benefits and necessity of decentralized security, and this Fund shows that institutions are compelled by the broader ecosystem.

The Fund will be bolstered by TruFin’s Trustake protocol, allowing additional yield to be captured through liquid staking opportunities via the underlying TruMATIC token. With a focus on enterprise-grade security, TruStake offers a liquid staking solution tailored for institutional investors that aims to deliver a higher native yield compared to direct staking (~5%). The TruStake vault has consistently outperformed Lido, achieving a historic native MATIC yield of over 5% APY in the past 9 months.

With the flexibility to leverage tokens for additional DeFi yield, institutional investors seek a hassle-free investment avenue for passive staking rewards. TruFin has partnered with leading DeFi protocols like Balancer and Chainlink to maximize utility for the underlying TruMATIC token.

By integrating the Polygon AggLayer, the Fund leverages the aggregation of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs from all connected chains, aiming to ensure high liquidity, near-instant cross-chain transactions, and uniform cryptographic security. This integration aims to enhance the Fund's operational efficiency on a highly performant network while leveraging the Ethereum network's robust security and decentralization credentials.

Leveraged by Laser Digital's institutional regulatory set-up, the Fund will be available, following the relevant registrations, for distribution to institutional investors across eligible jurisdictions, starting with the United Kingdom.

The Laser Digital Polygon Adoption Fund is a collaborative effort to merge traditional financial structures with the innovative potential of blockchain technology.

 “Laser Digital Asset Management aims to transform DeFi investment opportunities into investable TradFi solutions. Leveraging TruFin technology and its integration with Polygon’s AggLayer, we are making Polygon-Matic digital asset investment accessible, in the most secure, and efficient way for institutional investors," said Sebastien Guglietta, Head of Laser Digital Asset Management.

"Our partnership with Laser Digital to launch this Fund advances our vision for the future of the digital asset ecosystem. The use of Polygon's AggLayer technology has proven to be remarkably promising to support our ability to provide a seamless, secure, and institutionally-focused yield-generating investment platform." Matt Molloy, Venture Lead at WebN Group.

"Staking MATIC contributes significantly to the robustness and security of the Polygon network. Institutional investors’ involvement in this Proof-of-Stake system exemplifies the network's strength and dedication to sustainable blockchain practices. This collective effort plays a key role in upholding the network's stability and advancing the Polygon ecosystem's position as a leader in Web3 technology." said Colin Butler, Global Head of Institutional Capital at Polygon. 

For more information, please contact:
Ellis Ballard - ellis@clpr.agency

About TruFin
The TruFin Protocol builds institutional-grade Web3 primitives, such as liquid staking, that can be used as the foundational building blocks for digital asset strategies to reduce risk, generate rewards, securely on-chain.

For more information,  please visit: https://trufin.io/

About Laser Digital
Laser Digital is a crypto business redefining the frontier of digital finance. Backed by Nomura, Laser Digital delivers scalable, robust opportunities across trading, asset management, and ventures. The team works at higher risk management standards, compliance, and commercial viability, all driven by a belief in more responsible crypto innovation. With an open and dynamic culture, Laser Digital has the freedom to adapt to market needs, to move swiftly to capitalisation, and to share learnings with clients and partners –bringing greater confidence to the institutional market for the benefit of all.

For more information,  please visit: https://www.laserdigital.com/

Polygon Labs develops Ethereum scaling solutions for Polygon protocols. Polygon Labs engages with other ecosystem developers to help make available scalable, affordable, secure and sustainable blockchain infrastructure for Web3. Polygon Labs has initially developed a growing suite of protocols for developers to gain easy access to major scaling solutions, including layer 2s (zero-knowledge rollups), sidechains, app-specific chains and data availability protocols. Scaling solutions that Polygon Labs initially developed have seen widespread adoption with tens of thousands of decentralized apps, unique addresses exceeding 320 million, 1.5 million smart contracts created and 2.9 billion total transactions processed since inception. The existing Polygon network is home for some of the biggest Web3 projects, such as Aave, Uniswap, and OpenSea, and well-known enterprises, including Robinhood, Stripe and Adobe. Polygon Labs is carbon neutral with the goal of leading Web3 in becoming carbon negative. 

If you're an Ethereum Developer, you're already a Polygon developer! Leverage Polygon’s fast and secure transactions for dApps you develop, get started here.

Website | Twitter | Developer Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Discord | Instagram | Facebook

Marketing communication: This document is a marketing communication addressed exclusively to professional and institutional investors residing in eligible jurisdictions. This document is not a contractually binding document or an information document required by any legislative provision, and is not sufficient to take an investment decision. Please consult the offering documentation of the Fund before making any final investment decisions. You can request this information to the investment manager, whose details are indicated below.

No offering: Nothing in this document amounts to, or should be construed as, an offer, placement, invitation or general solicitation to invest in any fund or to buy or sell securities, digital assets, or to engage in any other related or unrelated transactions. This document was not prepared in compliance with applicable provisions of law designed to promote the independence of financial analysis and is not subject to a prohibition on trading following the distribution of financial research. This document does not purport to contain all of the information that may be required to evaluate any potential transaction and should not be relied on in connection with any such potential transaction. Any future offers to invest in the fund/other products will be subject to the terms of the Fund’s constitutional documents and/or relevant offering documentation. 

Non-reliance: The document is not a recommendation and should not be relied upon as accounting, legal, tax or investment advice nor investment recommendations. You should consult your tax, legal, accounting or other advisers separately. Neither this document nor the information contained in it is for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of applicable law. None of Nomura, Laser Digital, their group companies or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, advisers, agents or affiliates (together the "Sponsor Parties") make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document, and nothing contained in it shall be relied upon as a promise or representation whether as to past or future performance. To the maximum extent permitted by law, none of the Sponsor Parties shall be liable (including in negligence) for direct, indirect or consequential losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of or in connection with the use of or reliance on this document. The information contained in this document is unaudited. It is published for the assistance of recipients, but is not to be relied upon as authoritative and is not to be substituted for the exercise of one’s own judgment. A mutual fund licence issued or a fund registered by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority does not constitute an obligation of the authority to any investor as to the performance or creditworthiness of the Fund. Furthermore, in issuing such a licence or in registering a fund, the authority shall not be liable for any losses or default of the fund or for the correctness of any opinions or statements expressed in any prospectus or offering document. 

Digital assets: Digital assets regulation is still developing across all jurisdictions and governments may in the future restrict the use and exchange of any or all digital assets. Digital assets are generally not backed nor supported by any government or central bank, are not insured by depositor nor investor guarantees schemes and do not have the same protections countries’ bank deposits may have and are more volatile than traditional currencies and/or other investments. Transacting in digital assets carries the risk of market manipulation and cybersecurity failures such as the risk of hacking, theft, programming bugs, and accidental loss. Differing forms of digital assets may carry different risks. In certain circumstances it may not be possible to liquidate a digital assets position in a timely manner at a reasonable price. The volatility and unpredictability of the price of digital assets may lead to significant and immediate losses. 

Risks: An investment in any of the products mentioned herein involves significant risks, including loss of an investor’s entire capital investment. Investment decisions are not trivial, simple, easy or suitable for all investors, especially in the absence of adequate due diligence. Alternative investment strategies are intended only for investors who understand and accept the risks associated with investments in such products and these products are not suitable for all investors - you should not invest in the Fund using credit or other interest accruing facilities. Investments in digital assets are high-risk investments and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. The volatility and unpredictability of the price of digital assets may lead to significant and immediate losses. You are invited to do all the necessary research and learn before investing in digital assets and in the Fund. In considering any performance data in this document, you should bear in mind that past or targeted performance is not indicative of future results, and there can be no assurance that any of the fund would achieve its investment objectives, comparable results or that target returns would be met. Past performance is not a guide to future performance, future returns are not guarantees and a loss of original capital may occur - any investment decision must be strictly based on your independent evaluation. The price and value of investments referred to in this document may fluctuate and, in general, digital assets value is variable and can go up and/or down, cannot be guaranteed and can be highly volatile. Any future performance is subject to taxation which depends on the personal situation of each investor and which may change in the future. A detailed description of the main conflict of interests you should be aware of is provided in the offering documentation of the Fund (especially under the section headed “Additional potential conflict of interests” in the Supplement and “Conflicts of Interest”  in the Prospectus”. You should be aware that such conflict of interests exist and may affect your investment and/or the activities of the investment manager and/or the relevant service providers to the Fund.

*UAE (excluding ADGM and DIFC): In the UAE (excluding ADGM and DIFC), this document is issued by Laser Digital Middle East FZE (“LDME” or “We”). LDME is the investment manager of the Fund and is authorised and regulated by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (“VARA”) with registered number VL/23/06/001. We are registered in Dubai, and only deal with or for Qualified Investors and Institutional Investors as defined by VARA. Our registered office is located at One Central, Office 3, Level 5, Unit 512, Dubai, UAE. Additional information on LDME and the relevant regulatory disclosures may be found at https://www.laserdigital.com/laser-digital-middle-east. The information contained herein, does not constitute, and is not intended to constitute, a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) and accordingly should not be construed as such. The shares are only being offered to a limited number of exempt investors in the UAE who (a) are willing and able to conduct an independent investigation of the risks involved in an investment in such shares, and (b) upon their specific request. The shares have not been approved by or licensed or registered with the UAE Central Bank, the Securities and Commodities Authority, or any other relevant licensing authorities or governmental agencies in the UAE. No transaction will be concluded in the UAE and any enquiries regarding the Shares should be made to Laser Digital UK Ltd at 1 Angel Lane, London, EC4R 3AB. 

*UK: This document is being issued in the United Kingdom by Laser Digital UK Ltd, I Angel Lane, London EC4R 3AB, United Kingdom, to and/or is directed only at persons who are professional investors for the purposes of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013, as amended and is accordingly exempt from the financial promotion restriction in Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) in accordance with section 29(3) of the FSMA (Financial Promotions) Order 2005. The opportunity to invest in the fund mentioned herein is only available to such persons in the United Kingdom and this document must not be relied or acted upon by any other persons in the United Kingdom. Laser Digital UK Ltd, FRN 1000108, is an appointed representative of Strata Global Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 563834. Strata Global Ltd is registered in England & Wales with company number 07707508 and whose registered office is at 7-11 Moorgate, London EC2R 6AF. This document as well as any additional document may only be distributed and the interests in any of the funds may only be offered or placed in the United Kingdom to the extent that (1) the Fund is permitted to be marketed to professional investors in the United Kingdom in accordance with Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (Directive (2011/61/EU) (the “AIFMD”) (as it forms part of the domestic law of the United Kingdom); or (2) this document as well as any additional document may otherwise be lawfully distributed and the interests in the fund may otherwise be lawfully offered or placed in the United Kingdom (including at the initiative of the investor). All, or most, of the rules made under the FSMA for the protection of retail clients will not apply, and compensation under the United Kingdom Financial Services Compensation Scheme will not be available. 

EEA: As at the date of this document, none of the funds rereferred to herein has been approved, notified or registered in accordance with the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (Directive (2011/61/EU) (the “AIFMD”) for marketing to professional investors in any member state of the EEA (each a “Relevant State”). However, such approval may be sought or such notification or registration may be made in the future. Therefore, this document and any additional documentation may only be transmitted to an investor in a Relevant State at such investor’s own initiative. 

Japan: None of the shares in any of the funds have been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law no. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, none of the shares nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit, of any Japanese person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese person except under circumstances which will result in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and guidelines promulgated by the relevant Japanese governmental and regulatory authorities and in effect at the relevant time. For this purpose, a “Japanese person” means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organised under the laws of Japan 

Switzerland: This document constitutes advertising. The offer and marketing of fund shares in Switzerland will be exclusively made to, and directed at, qualified investors (the “Qualified Investors”), as defined in Article 10(3) and (3ter) of the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act (“CISA”) and its implementing ordinance, to the exclusion of qualified investors who have opted-out pursuant to Article 5(1) of the Swiss Financial Services Act and without any portfolio management or advisory relationship with a financial intermediary pursuant to Article 10(3ter) CISA (“Excluded Qualified Investors”). Accordingly, the Fund has not been and will not be registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority and no representative or paying agent has been or will be appointed in Switzerland. This document and/or any other offering or marketing materials relating to the Shares may be made available in Switzerland solely to Qualified Investors, to the exclusion of Excluded Qualified Investors. The legal documents of the fund may be obtained free of charge from the Investment Manager, LDME, whose details are provided above. 

Cayman Islands: No offer or invitation may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for the shares. 

Restricted jurisdictions: The distribution of this document and the offering of shares in the fund may be restricted in certain jurisdictions. The information below is for general guidance only, and it is the responsibility of any person or persons in possession of this document and wishing to make an application for shares to inform themselves of and observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction. Such persons should also inform themselves of any applicable legal requirements, exchange control regulations and taxes in the countries of their respective citizenship, residence or domicile. This document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it would be unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. In particular, this document does not constitute an offer of securities to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, or Japan. 

United States: No shares in the Fund (“Shares”) will be issued in the US or to any US Person. Prospective investors must be non-US Persons and must meet other suitability requirements as the Directors may determine from time to time in its sole discretion.  

The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered or qualified under the 1933 Act or any applicable securities laws of any state or other political sub divisions of the United States of America. The Shares may not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered directly or indirectly in the US or to any US Person unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors of Laser Digital Funds SPC (“Board”) in their sole discretion. Any sales or transfers of Shares in violation of the foregoing are prohibited and will be treated by the Fund as void. All applicants and transferees of Shares must complete an application form which confirms, among other things, that a purchase or a transfer of Shares would not result in a sale or transfer to a person or an entity which is a US Person unless otherwise approved by the Directors. Neither the Fund nor the LDME as investment manager are an investment adviser registered with the SEC, and they will not be acting in such capacity with respect to the Shares. Therefore, the latter provision of services to the Shares will not be governed by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. 

 

Restrictions on investors: The Fund referred herein is not available for subscriptions from retail investors in any jurisdictions. No key information document has been prepared in respect of any sub-class of shares in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs) (and, in the case of the United Kingdom, such regulation as it forms part of the domestic law of the United Kingdom). Accordingly, shares in the fund are not available to, and no person may advise on, offer or sell shares for or to, any retail client (as defined in MiFID 2) in any jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, any EEA Member State, the UAE or the United Kingdom