About
Komainu
We Are the Institutional Gateway for Digital Assets
Founded in 2018, Komainu is purpose-built for financial institutions. Today, we provide seamless, connected and secure infrastructure that allows institutional investors to enter, operate and grow in the digital asset ecosystem with confidence.
Our Services are Recognised for Excellence
Our Mission
Our mission is to be the digital asset partner of choice for the world’s leading financial institutions, providing the services and infrastructure they need to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the digital asset ecosystem.
Inspired by our namesake – the Komainu, or lion-dogs guarding the gates of Shinto shrines – we offer both protection and resilience at the core of everything we do, ensuring clients have the infrastructure they need to move first, move securely, and move with confidence.
In an evolving market that is defined by change, trust and security are paramount.
Our Vision
We are building the institutional gateway for digital assets, ensuring seamless, secure and connected access to a rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Our History
$75m Series B
Komainu completes $75m Series B fundraise with strategic investment from Blockstream
FCA Registration
Komainu receives crypto registration from the FCA and OAM registry in Italy
VARA License
Komainu receives Virtual Asset Service Provider [VASP] licence from Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority in Dubai
Komainu Connect launched
Komainu launches collateral management solution
Custodial staking launched
Komainu launches custodial staking for institutional clients
MPC Technology integration
MPC Technology integrated into Komainu’s Tech stack
Series A funding
$25m Series A funding round closed
JFSC License
Komainu recieves Regulatory Approval from the Jersey Financial Services Commission
Komainu is Born
Founded as a Joint Venture by Nomura, CoinShares and Ledger.
Meet Our Board
Komainu’s Board of Directors brings together experts from bitcoin, digital assets and traditional finance, formed to power our growth across digital finance and institutional infrastructure.
Adam Back
Blockstream Corporation
Steve Ashley
Laser Digital
PeterPaul Pardi
Blockstream Capital Partners
Jez Mohideen
Laser Digital
Paul Frost-Smith
Komainu
Nicolas Brand
Blockstream Capital Partners
Our Leadership Team
Komainu’s leadership team combines deep global experience across traditional finance, technology, cybersecurity, operations, and digital assets to deliver institutional-grade excellence.
Paul Frost-Smith
Paul Frost-Smith is Co-CEO at Komainu.
Paul joined Komainu in May 2024. His career spans over 30 years in international financial markets, having held senior management positions at JPMorgan, Credit Suisse and Swiss Re.
In his most recent role, Paul was a Managing Director at SEDA Experts, LLC, providing expert witness services in relation to digital asset trading and best practices. He was also co-founder and CEO of Corinthian, a digital asset investment management firm, and of Castlegrove, a multi-strategy hedge fund acquired by Millennium Management, LLC. As Co-CEO, Paul’s focus is on business strategy, development and expansion as well as providing innovative and tailor-made client solutions.
Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Law from Trinity Hall, Cambridge University and commenced his career as a corporate finance lawyer with Slaughter and May.
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson is Co-CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Komainu, having joined the firm in October 2023. Rob has extensive financial services experience having previously served as CTO and Partner at Coremont, as well as 18 years on the trading floor at MUFG Securities.
As Co-CEO, Rob spearheads the development of Komainu’s institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure and drives innovation and excellence across the full tech offering.
Rob holds a PhD in Automated Reasoning Systems from Queen Mary College, University of London.
Tony Larkin
Tony Larkin is CFO at Komainu, having joined the firm in June 2024.
Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with over three decades of experience in investment banking and private equity in London, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Tony qualified with Arthur Andersen before going on to become a number one ranked equities analyst at JPMorgan in both Europe and Asia. Subsequently, he became Chief Global Financial Strategist at Citi and has also held senior positions at Credit Suisse and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Tony holds a degree in Geophysics from Durham University.
Sebastian Widmann
Sebastian is Head of the Dubai Office at Komainu.
Sebastian leads Komainu’s product and service strategy, with an emphasis on expanding Komainu’s international presence and market reach. Prior to joining Komainu in 2021, he held the position of Vice President – Digital Assets at Nomura. During his tenure, he spearheaded numerous strategic investments in digital asset startups and played a pivotal role in facilitating the inception of the Komainu venture.
Sebastian holds a Bachelor’s degree from University College London, where he conducted research on distributed ledger technology and use cases in the financial services industry.
Susan Patterson
Susan is Head of Jersey Office and Group Corporate Secretariat at Komainu.
A former regulator with the Jersey Financial Services Commission, Susan returned to Komainu in 2023 to lead strategic efforts for its Jersey business. Susan brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held senior positions at industry leaders including State Street, Credit Suisse, Brevan Howard, and UBS. She first joined Komainu in 2018 when she served as Compliance Director for nearly four years.
Darren Jordan
Darren is Chief Commercial Officer at Komainu
In this role, Darren drives the implementation of the sales strategy and Komainu’s commercial objectives. Prior to joining in 2022, he spent 25 years working in traditional finance roles at HSBC, ABN Amro, and several hedge fund managers including F&C Asset management. Darren brings significant experience in the blockchain space, including leading the EMEA team at digital asset custodian BitGo.
Our Investors and Trusted Partners
Contact Us
Reach out to our team today and discover how Komainu can help your institution participate in the digital asset ecosystem with confidence.