Caladan, a crypto-native fund and trading firm known for its operational precision and Asia market expertise, has opened a representative office in New York City—its first formal footprint in the United States. This move signals Caladan’s confidence in the maturing U.S. regulatory climate and its intent to play a long-term role in shaping institutional crypto adoption.
A Calculated U.S. Entry Aligned with Regulatory Momentum
The decision to enter the U.S. market follows what Caladan views as a pivotal shift in regulatory discourse—one that is creating space for compliant, transparent crypto institutions. The New York office will serve as a strategic hub for expanding the firm’s institutional relationships, regulatory engagement, and operational presence in the United States.
Julia Zhou, COO of Caladan, said in a statement, “We see a pivotal moment in U.S. financial markets. Regulatory clarity is unlocking new pathways for innovation, and Caladan is uniquely positioned to bring the high-efficiency standards and bold execution we've developed in Asia to the U.S. market.”
Zhou added that Caladan is “actively exploring appropriate regulatory pathways, including potential broker-dealer registration and FINRA membership,” reflecting the firm’s commitment to alignment with evolving U.S. standards.
Leadership Hires Signal Institutional Ambitions
To lead its U.S. operations, Caladan has appointed a team of three seasoned industry professionals, including Gian-Paul Caccia, whose background spans both crypto-native companies like Coinbase and traditional finance stalwarts such as BlackRock and Bank of America. These hires underscore Caladan’s strategy to bridge the best of traditional finance and crypto innovation.
Operational Footprint and Strategic Goals
The U.S. expansion will initially account for 5% of Caladan’s global headcount, a figure that signals serious intent without overextending during early-stage market entry. The firm aims to act as a conduit between Asia’s advanced crypto ecosystems and the burgeoning institutional interest in the U.S., offering clients access to deep liquidity and global market insights.
The New York office is expected to play a central role in the firm’s U.S. growth roadmap, enabling Caladan to further its reputation for efficiency, compliance, and institutional-grade service in crypto markets.
About Caladan
Founded in 2017, Caladan has established itself as a pioneer in crypto market-making, executing over $50 billion in annual transactions across more than 1,000 assets. The firm supports exchanges, token issuers, and institutional investors with services spanning on-exchange liquidity, DeFi market-making, treasury solutions, and proprietary investments. Its mission: to bring rationality and efficiency to fragmented crypto markets.
