Rialo targets South Korean financial firms for onchain expansion

Bobby Zagotta, chief business officer at Rialo, argues that current blockchain complexity discourages institutional adoption. By focusing on external API connectivity and interoperability, the network seeks to allow firms to process real-world asset lending and AI-driven transactions without rebuilding their existing backend systems. A core component, Rialo Edge, enables the integration of off-chain data, such as credit history or regulatory status, while maintaining privacy through the platform's identity systems.

Beyond traditional lending, the company is developing Latch, a control layer for AI agents. This system allows institutions to programmatically set spending limits, authorized counterparties, and active windows for automated transactions. By embedding these rules directly into the protocol, Rialo aims to satisfy the governance requirements of regulated entities. While the project secured $20 million in funding from investors including Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures, the team has opted to delay a native token launch. Zagotta maintains that establishing functional business models and institutional partnerships, such as the ongoing collaboration with Cboe, remains the primary objective before introducing market-driven assets.