Equities First Holdings Selects OSL as Digital Asset Custodian

EFH aims to build digital asset portfolio through digital asset-backed financing

Hong Kong, June 16, 2020 – OSL, Asia’s leading digital asset platform and member of BC Group (Stock Code: 863 HK), today announced that its OSL Custody service was selected as the official digital asset custodian for Equities First Holdings LLC (EFH), a global investment firm headquartered in the United States.

EFH selected OSL Custody because its capabilities are specifically tailored to the needs of institutional investors, which require global standards in cybersecurity, sophistication and compliance. The announcement also recognizes the longtime partnership between the two firms and EFH’s increasing activity in the digital asset space.

Equities First Holdings was an early investor in digital assets and adapted its traditional strategy over a number of years to this new, dynamic asset class. The firm now plans to scale its allocation to digital assets significantly in the near term. Retaining a secure and insured digital asset custody solution is an essential success factor in the execution of this strategy.

“The digital asset industry is undergoing rapid transformation as institutional players from traditional finance have begun to take deliberate steps to participate in the space. “Our background is the highly regulated space of public equities,” said Lachlan Campbell, Asia CEO of Equities First Holdings. “With this at the heart of everything we do, we needed the same caliber and standards on the digital asset side.”

For over 17 years, Equities First Holdings has invested its assets through a public equity portfolio. Its method of adding portfolio positions has always been to execute equity-backed loan transactions with third-party concentrated shareholders. A proprietary model, rooted in fundamental fairness, this has proven to be an efficient way for EFH to establish investments and an attractive financing solution for long-term shareholders.

“OSL is a global leader in digital asset custody, and it has the institutional-grade protection, insurance and compliance standards to match the needs of our business,” added Campbell. “We’ve continued to see strong growth and expect our proprietary digital asset custody holdings to grow upwards of several hundred million USD over the next 18 months.”

Asia leads the world in the usage of and investment in digital assets. As investment in the Asian digital asset ecosystem has deepened, user demand for institutional safekeeping of these assets has also increased. Safe, secure and compliant digital asset custody that meets regulatory and fiduciary standards is now a necessity to participate in the rising token economy. By partnering with OSL, Equities First Holdings has secured a unique, fully compliant service to meet increased demand, scrutiny and standards.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Equities First Holdings, globally,” said OSL CEO Wayne Trench. “Part of our mission is to build a bridge to digital assets for traditional institutional players in financial services. A global leader in securities-based financing, EFH has also become an early adopter of digital assets and is an ideal partner for OSL as we look to play a key role in further institutionalizing the space.”

About Equities First Holdings

Equities First Holdings (EFH) is a global institutional investment firm, wholly owned by American financier and entrepreneur Alexander Christy, Jr. The firm’s core investment strategy is to manage a public equity portfolio. Its method of portfolio construction is based on a proprietary equity- backed financing model. This approach to invest by lending was originally developed by Mr. Christy as a unique financial innovation. Scaled on a global basis, EFH has deployed this strategy to provide alternative financing to hundreds of corporates, investors and other long-term shareholders.

EFH was incorporated in 2002 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, USA. The firm maintains an international footprint of 12 offices, operating in all major financial markets. All subsidiaries are either licensed or registered with local financial regulators, including in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia and Dubai.

For more information:  www.equitiesfirst.com

Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited (the “Company”) is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong with CE number BFJ407 for the Regulated Activity of Dealing in Securities. The Company deals solely with professional and accredited investors.

About OSL Custody

The OSL Custody service for digital assets delivers the transparency, security and protection needed by institutional investors and fund managers in Asia. It enables professional traders and institutions to add digital assets to their portfolios safely and securely.

OSL Custody utilizes state-of-the-art encryption, private key protection, and military grade technologies. All wallet infrastructure is housed in high-security, cold storage vaults certified to meet Department of Defense standards, monitored with 24/7 surveillance, audited operation and control protocols and surpass the most rigorous industry standards. BC Group maintains audited policies and procedures, as well as recovery programs, allowing customers to invest with confidence and with the knowledge that assets are well protected.

OSL Custody was previously known as ANXONE Custody, and was recently renamed. The name change is a strategic realignment to unite all of BC Group’s digital asset businesses and all supporting functions under a single name and brand, OSL.