IntoTheBlock and Trident Merge to Launch Sentora, Raise $25M to Serve Institutional DeFi Investors
In a bold move reflecting the growing trend of consolidation within the digital finance sector, IntoTheBlock and Trident have announced their merger to form a new entity—Sentora—with the aim of revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) for institutional investors. Alongside the merger, the companies also secured $25 million in Series A funding to support their vision.
The newly-formed Sentora plans to develop a comprehensive ecosystem tailored specifically for funds, corporate treasuries, and other institutional participants eyeing the DeFi landscape. This ecosystem will focus on overcoming traditional barriers such as compliance, risk management, and fragmented infrastructure—long-standing concerns for large-scale financial entities.
Leadership and Vision
Anthony DeMartino, formerly of Trident and previously the head of risk strategies at Coinbase, will lead Sentora as CEO. His vision is clear: “The future of finance is decentralized — but not disorganized,” DeMartino said. “Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, we’re building products that remove key blockers for institutional DeFi adoption.”
Backing him up is Jesús Rodríguez, former CEO of IntoTheBlock, who will take on the role of CTO. His expertise in data analytics and financial infrastructure is expected to strengthen Sentora’s technical edge as it builds tools to bridge the gap between institutional finance and the DeFi space.
Funding and Strategic Backing
The $25 million Series A round was led by New Form Capital, with participation from Joint Effects and Tribe Capital. Ripple also joined the round as a strategic ecosystem investor—another signal that established players see institutional DeFi as the next frontier.
“Institutional capital won’t move into DeFi without strong risk management and compliance frameworks,” said Alex Marinier of New Form Capital. “Sentora provides both—without sacrificing performance.”
Industry Context
The merger comes at a time when mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are increasing in the crypto space. With rising competition and shifting market demands, more firms are combining forces to offer integrated solutions under a single umbrella. A recent report from Blockworks Research highlights finance as one of the top sectors undergoing this type of consolidation, particularly as firms try to simplify offerings for enterprise clients.
The move also reflects a strategic shift in how DeFi is positioning itself—not just as a rebellious alternative to traditional finance, but as a professional-grade option that’s ready for institutional scale.