New funding and a growing ecosystem highlight why careful design — not token sales — shaped Canton’s rise
A Different Path to Building a Layer-1 Blockchain
The rapid expansion of competing smart contract platforms has intensified the race for innovation in the blockchain sector. Among the newest entrants, the Canton Network has emerged as a notable contender, positioning itself alongside next-generation chains while challenging the idea that the market already hosts “too many blockchains.”
A key part of Canton’s identity is its refusal to launch through an ICO, choosing a slower, institution-focused development model instead — a move that shaped the architecture and tokenomics of the ecosystem.
Institutional Strategy and the Decision to Avoid an ICO
Digital Asset, the company behind Canton, spent nearly a decade developing the protocol. Its leadership underscored a deliberate decision to avoid ICO fundraising, pre-mines, and early speculative token models, emphasizing the importance of long-term institutional trust.
The network is designed as a privacy-preserving, interoperable “network of networks” aimed at tokenizing and settling real-world assets. That vision attracted major attention in 2025, including a $135 million funding round to advance development.
Momentum accelerated further when biotech firm Tharimmune raised $540 million in private capital to build a Canton Coin (CC) treasury and become a super validator by acquiring and staking CC.
This significant commitment demonstrates how large-scale private funding can replace ICO-based distribution, offering a different blueprint for blockchain launches.
Measured Development and Lessons from Earlier Chains
Canton’s rollout followed years of testing. A permissioned version went live in 2020, allowing developers and institutions to assess functionality. It took another two to three years before a permissionless launch became viable.
Developers drew heavily from the challenges faced by earlier networks — especially around privacy, governance and protocol upgrades. Once a permissionless network goes live, meaningful architectural changes become difficult, making early design choices critical.
Privacy by Design: A Need-to-Know Model
Privacy remains a major theme in crypto, but Canton approaches it differently from anonymity-focused systems. Rather than shielding all activity, its model allows selective disclosure on a need-to-know basis, enabling regulators or authorized institutions to review specific data when necessary.
This contrasts with zero-knowledge-based systems, which prioritize full anonymity. Canton’s approach aims to satisfy regulatory compliance, including KYC and AML obligations, without sacrificing institutional usability.
Digital Asset’s vision has attracted backing from major global financial players. Supporters now include BNP Paribas, Citadel Securities, Circle Ventures, the DTCC, and Goldman Sachs, reinforcing confidence in Canton’s institutional-grade design.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.