OKX Ventures Backs STBL’s Real‑Asset Stablecoin on X Layer, Partnering with Hamilton Lane and Securitize

OKX Ventures invests in STBL, launching a private‑credit‑backed stablecoin on X Layer with Hamilton Lane and Securitize, marking a notable step toward regulated on‑chain finance.

The capital injection from OKX Ventures underscores a broader trend among crypto‑centric venture arms: a shift from speculative token projects toward assets that can satisfy both on‑chain efficiency and off‑chain regulatory scrutiny. By aligning with STBL, OKX is positioning its ecosystem to support stablecoins that are not merely fiat‑pegged but are underwritten by institutional‑grade private credit.

“Working with STBL and Hamilton Lane allows us to accelerate that mission and bring users a more mature RWA ecosystem,” said Jeff Ren, founder of OKX Ventures. His comment reflects a growing appetite among crypto investors for products that can bridge the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).

X Layer’s place in the OKX stack

X Layer, the EVM‑compatible Layer 2 solution built by OKX, serves as the technical foundation for the upcoming stablecoin. The network offers low‑cost transactions, rapid finality, and seamless bridging to OKX’s broader suite of on‑chain services. For institutional participants, the ability to move large volumes of capital without prohibitive gas fees is a decisive factor.

“X Layer gives customers direct access to thousands of tokens, deep liquidity and trusted markets, along with secure, low‑cost, low‑friction bridging within OKX’s on‑chain ecosystem,” the press release noted. In practice, this means that the new stablecoin can be minted, transferred, and settled with the speed and cost profile required for high‑frequency trading desks and treasury operations.

Structuring a real‑world‑asset backed stablecoin

At the heart of the initiative is a feeder fund that channels capital into Hamilton Lane’s Senior Credit Opportunities Fund (SCOPE). The fund’s exposure to senior private‑credit assets is tokenized via Securitize, turning a traditionally illiquid portfolio into a programmable digital asset. This tokenized slice of private credit becomes part of the collateral pool that underwrites the stablecoin.

The architecture is deliberately modular: the feeder fund supplies the economic backing, while Securitize handles the legal and compliance layers required for token issuance. By embedding the tokenized fund within the stablecoin’s collateral framework, STBL aims to provide a scalable, regulated alternative to the often‑volatile fiat‑pegged stablecoins that dominate today’s market.

Dual‑token architecture and the first Ecosystem‑Specific Stablecoin (ESS)

STBL’s product roadmap includes a dual‑token model designed to separate settlement liquidity from yield generation. One token functions as a pure settlement medium, maintaining a 1:1 relationship with the U.S. dollar. The second token accrues yield based on the performance of the underlying private‑credit assets, allowing users to opt into a yield‑bearing version of the stablecoin without compromising the stability of the settlement token.

“This is the first Ecosystem‑Specific Stablecoin (ESS) on X Layer,” STBL’s founder and CEO Dr. Avtar Sehra said. “Our architecture lets ecosystems issue their own branded stablecoins backed by real‑world assets while keeping yield management compliant and transparent.” The ESS concept could pave the way for niche stablecoins tailored to specific verticals—such as supply‑chain finance, cross‑border payments, or decentralized lending—without relying on a one‑size‑fits‑all collateral model.

Implications for institutional liquidity and yield

By tying the stablecoin to a senior‑credit fund, the partnership addresses two persistent challenges in the crypto market: liquidity and yield reliability. Institutional investors often shy away from crypto‑native stablecoins because of concerns over collateral quality and redemption risk. A token backed by a diversified private‑credit portfolio, overseen by a firm like Hamilton Lane, offers a more familiar risk profile.

“Embedding institutional private credit directly into on‑chain money flows turns tokenized assets into functional building blocks,” said Carlos Domingo, CEO of Securitize. “These assets can be settled, composed, and used across financial applications, not just held as static investments.” For fintech platforms that need to move capital quickly—whether for market‑making, collateral management, or automated treasury functions—the ability to lock in a yield‑bearing stablecoin could reduce dependence on traditional banking channels.

Navigating the regulatory landscape

The announcement carries a comprehensive disclaimer that mirrors the caution typically seen in securities offerings. It stresses that the stablecoin is not a guaranteed investment, that yields may fluctuate, and that the “dollar‑pegged” terminology does not assure parity. Moreover, the release acknowledges that certain components may fall outside broker‑dealer, ATS, or securities regulatory frameworks.

Given the heightened scrutiny of stablecoins by regulators worldwide—from the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Financial Research to the European Union’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) regulation—STBL’s approach of using a tokenized fund subject to existing securities law could provide a defensible compliance pathway. By anchoring the stablecoin to a registered private‑credit fund, the project sidesteps some of the gray areas that have plagued algorithmic or fiat‑backed stablecoins lacking clear custodial oversight.

Industry analysts weigh in

Fintech analysts see the move as a litmus test for the viability of “real‑world‑asset” (RWA) tokenization at scale. “If STBL can demonstrate consistent redemption and yield performance, it could set a benchmark for how private‑credit markets interact with blockchain,” noted Maya Patel, senior analyst at FinTech Insights. “The dual‑token model also offers a pragmatic solution to the liquidity‑yield trade‑off that has hamstrung many stablecoin projects.”

Conversely, some critics caution that the reliance on private‑credit assets may limit the stablecoin’s appeal to retail users who prefer simple, fiat‑backed options. “Institutional backing is a double‑edged sword,” warned Thomas Liu, a blockchain policy researcher at the Center for Digital Finance. “While it brings credibility, it also introduces opacity around the underlying loan portfolios, which could be a concern for regulators demanding transparency.”

What this means for fintech players

For platforms building embedded finance solutions, the emergence of an RWA‑backed stablecoin could unlock new product lines. Payment processors could settle cross‑border invoices in a token that carries a predictable yield, while lending platforms might use the yield‑bearing token as collateral for credit lines. Moreover, the integration with X Layer means that developers can leverage existing OKX APIs and tooling to embed the stablecoin into wallets, DeFi protocols, or enterprise treasury systems without building a new blockchain from scratch.

The partnership also signals that major crypto infrastructure providers—such as OKX—are willing to allocate venture capital to projects that marry traditional asset classes with blockchain technology. This could encourage other venture arms to explore similar investments, potentially accelerating the overall maturation of the RWA tokenization market.

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