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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 18, 2026, Chainwire
Calais Calais Digital Assets, a multi-strategy quantitative investment fund headquartered in Singapore, has become the first institutional client to use UBS uMINT as collateral for over-the-counter settlement (OES) on active trades – marking a significant milestone in the true adoption of institutional-grade tokenized assets.
The transaction is executed via an integrated infrastructure layer that includes… BybitIt is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and a licensed virtual asset platform operator across multiple jurisdictions; ByCustody, Bybit’s institutional custody arm; and DigiFTauthorized distributor for UBS USD Money Market Mutual Fund (“uMINT”), the first tokenized investment fund launched by UBS Asset Management. Under the OES collateral model, Calais’ uMINT holdings remain in ByCustody’s custody while at the same time acting as direct trading collateral on Bybit – allowing the fund to maintain the return on its collateral position for the duration of its trading activities.
From infrastructure to capital efficiency
This announcement comes after cooperation Between Bybit and DigiFT in 2025 to expand institutional guarantee support for UBS uMINT, which established the technical and regulatory framework for uMINT to be accepted as a commercial guarantee. Calais’ live deployment closes the loop between infrastructure and practice – demonstrating that the efficiency gains of yield token collateral are not theoretical, but implementable at an institutional level today.
Traditional OES collateral arrangements require trading counterparties to send idle cash or equivalent to the exchange – capital that remains unused and earns nothing. By using uMINT – an institutional-style USD money market fund built on the public Ethereum blockchain – Calais maintains a consistent return on assets that may otherwise be locked in an unprofitable position. The result is a tangible improvement in capital efficiency: collateral that works harder, without compromising the security or liquidity required by institutional trading.
Multilateral infrastructure stack
The transaction is enabled through a purpose-built three-tier architecture.
- DigiFT, as the authorized licensed distributor of the UBS uMINT token, provides the regulated access layer through which institutional clients stake and hold uMINT on-chain.
- ByCustody provides separate, institutional-level custody of tokens within Bybit’s licensed operating structure, ensuring assets are securely held and recognized as eligible collateral for trading purposes.
- Bybit’s exchange infrastructure accepts reserved UMINT as collateral for settlement, enabling Calais to trade without pre-funding positions with cash.
This structure separates preservation from deployment – an important distinction from an operational and risk management perspective. Assets do not need to leave regulated custody to serve as collateral for the exchange, maintaining the security architecture required by institutional distributors.
Lily Yan, Founder and CEO of Calais Digital Assets: “As a systematic quantitative fund, capital efficiency is not a peripheral consideration – it is at the core of how portfolios are created and managed. Deploying uMINT as an OES collateral through this infrastructure allows us to earn a return on assets that would otherwise be frozen as idle margin. This is exactly the kind of structural improvement that institutional adoption of tokenized assets should enable, and we are pleased to be among the first to implement it in live trading conditions.”
Henry Zhang, Founder and Group CEO, DigiFT: “Institutional adoption of any new financial infrastructure follows a disciplined path – and it should do so. The fact that a sophisticated quant fund like Calais has deployed uMINT as a live collateral for OES is precisely an important validation. This is not a pilot or proof of concept. This is a fund making a deliberate, operationally informed decision to improve capital efficiency through regulated token assets – and this is the clearest signal yet that institutional RWA utility is arriving.”
Yue Wang, Global Head of RWA and TradeFi at Bybit: “Bybit has always believed that the future of institutional trading lies in making capital work smarter – not harder. Accepting uMINT as an OES security is a natural extension of this conviction: it allows cutting-edge trading firms like Calais to maintain a return on assets that would traditionally remain idle as margin, while trading on one of the most liquid platforms in the world. ByCustody provides the custody backbone that makes this possible safely and within a regulated framework. Together this demonstrates what institutional infrastructure looks like when exchange, custody and distribution are designed Organized to act in concert.
Disclaimer
DigiFT and/or its affiliates endeavor to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, but do not guarantee its accuracy or reliability, and accept no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracy or omission, or from any decision, action or failure to act based on or relying on the information contained in this material. This information does not constitute an invitation, recommendation or offer to subscribe, purchase or enter into any transaction in relation to the above mentioned product/service or any other services mentioned. The above product/service is only available to accredited investors, professional investors and institutional investors through accredited and regulated brokers.
Before making any investment decision, please seek independent legal and financial advice. Clients who intend to trade this product are reminded of the risks associated with these products and should carefully evaluate their investment objectives, risk appetite, financial situation and particular needs before making any investment decision.
This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any product or service. Eligibility to access or invest in any of the mentioned products is subject to applicable laws and investor qualification requirements. DigiFT products and services are only available through approved and regulated brokers to qualified investors. Readers should seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any investment decision.
About Calais digital assets Calais is a Singapore-based quantitative investment fund specializing in macro asset class enhancement strategies, with offices in New York and Hong Kong. The Fund combines deep fundamental macro research with systematic quantitative modeling, and deploys a diversified portfolio of optimization strategies across major asset classes through algorithmic execution – governed by a rigorous and intentionally conservative risk management framework. Calais is committed to providing low-correlation, transparent attribution sources of enhanced returns to qualified investors and institutional clients. Portfolio resilience under stress is maintained through dynamic risk budgeting, real-time scenario analysis, and continuous liquidity monitoring – ensuring strategy integrity across a wide range of market environments, including secondary risk events.
About Digift
DigiFT is a next-generation platform for tokenized real assets (RWAs), regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC) for Type 1 and Type 4 regulated activities. The platform provides end-to-end digital asset services – including tokenization, issuance, distribution, trading and spot liquidity provision – specifically designed for institutional RWAs. Trusted by global financial institutions, DigiFT is the on-chain tokenization and distribution partner for leading asset managers such as BNY, CMB International, DBS Bank, Franklin Templeton, Hines, Invesco, UBS Asset Management and Wellington Management. Learn more at www.digift.io
About Paybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit strategically collaborates with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Known for its secure custody, diverse markets, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance in Bybit.com.
About by nursery
ByCustody is an enterprise platform for the custody and management of security-prioritized digital assets. ByCustody is designed to meet the evolving needs of enterprise customers, providing secure and scalable custody solutions backed by enterprise-grade security infrastructure.
Powered by MPC (Multi-Party Computing) technology, multi-layered approval workflow, and customized on-chain addresses for each client, ByCustody ensures enterprise assets are protected at every layer – from key management to transaction authorization. With a deep understanding of the digital asset landscape, ByCustody empowers organizations to protect their assets with confidence, combining robust protection with deep integration into the broader digital asset ecosystem. Learn more at: bycustody.com
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