FundBank and Trrue Chain Announce €10 Million Acquisition to Expand Institutional Crypto Services
CAYMAN ISLANDS / CORK, IRELAND — March 13, 2026 — FundBank announced its €10 million acquisition of Irish Layer-1 blockchain startup Trrue Chain to strengthen institutional crypto custody and trading services. The deal integrates Trrue’s compliant blockchain with FundBank’s fiat banking infrastructure, enabling secure combined offerings. The transaction closed in late February 2026, with Trrue’s founders remaining as employees.
Announcement Specifics
FundBank, a U.S. institutional banking firm based in the Cayman Islands and founded by former Waystone executives, acquired Trrue Chain for €10 million ($11 million). Trrue, founded in 2021 in Cork, Ireland, operates a Layer-1 blockchain for regulated financial markets and holds a VASP license while seeking CASP approval from Ireland’s Central Bank. Founders Owen O’Driscoll (CEO), Pearse Ryan, and Arjan van Eersel will continue with the combined entity. FundBank is expanding European operations with a presence in Luxembourg and an approved Irish branch.
Stakeholder Perspective A
“ComOp has been a long-time admirer of the innovative approach to governance through blockchain developed by Trrue and this coupled with a VASP and, subject to approval, CASP license, makes it a very unique asset.”
— Derek Delaney, Senior Executive at FundBank and Founder of ComOp
Why it matters: This underscores Trrue’s regulatory licenses as critical differentiators addressing Ireland’s limited institutional VASP landscape following CASP conversions elsewhere.
Stakeholder Perspective B
“With this partnership, we are accelerating the build-out of infrastructure that enables institutional capital to move instantly and securely.”
— Owen O’Driscoll, CEO of Trrue
Why it matters: This signals the deal’s focus on faster, compliant capital flows for institutional clients seeking crypto integration.
Industry Context
Institutional asset managers are increasingly seeking crypto integration, driven by U.S. regulatory advancements including the Genius Act, Clarity Act, and OCC Notice 186, which create safe harbors for digital asset services. FundBank’s acquisition supports this shift toward compliant digital asset platforms in Europe, particularly strengthening Ireland’s position amid evolving regulatory frameworks. The deal represents consolidation in compliant blockchain infrastructure for institutions, with potential implications for regions building digital asset ecosystems globally.
Conclusion
FundBank positions this acquisition as the first in a series of strategic moves to lead in digital assets by combining fiat banking with blockchain for institutional solutions. The company expects accelerated rollout of integrated custody and trading services as cryptocurrency adoption mainstreams among institutional investors.
Sources: The Fintech Times, Fintech Futures, Finextra, FundBank, Business Post
