Blockchain Bank N3XT Raises $72 Million to Launch 24/7 Fully Reserved Digital Payments Platform

Cryptocurrency
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 Blockchain-based banking startup N3XT has secured $72 million across three funding rounds as it prepares to roll out a new full-reserve digital payments bank designed for institutional clients. Founded by Scott Shay, the former chairman and co-founder of Signature Bank, and led by CEO Jeffrey Wallis, N3XT aims to modernize U.S. dollar settlement through blockchain technology, real-time transaction capabilities, and a highly transparent reserve model.

N3XT operates under a Wyoming Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) charter, a regulatory framework specifically designed for digital-asset banking. As a full-reserve institution, N3XT does not lend out customer deposits. Instead, it backs every dollar with an equal amount of cash or short-term U.S. Treasuries. The company also plans to publish its reserve holdings daily, offering a level of transparency uncommon in traditional banking.

The $72 million raised came from three completed funding rounds, drawing participation from major crypto-focused venture firms including Paradigm, HACK VC, and Winklevoss Capital. The funding will accelerate N3XT’s regulatory approvals, infrastructure buildout, and integration with corporate clients that require instant, programmable dollar transfers.

A New Model for 24/7 Institutional Payments

N3XT leverages a private blockchain network to provide instant U.S. dollar transfers 24/7/365, giving businesses continuous access to funds without relying on traditional banking hours. Through programmable smart-contract-based payments, companies can automate settlements, streamline cross-border transfers, and reduce counterparty risk.

Industries such as crypto trading, fintech, logistics, online marketplaces, and global commerce are expected to benefit from real-time clearing and settlement. The platform is also being designed for compatibility with stablecoins and tokenized assets, making N3XT a bridge between legacy banking and emerging digital-asset markets.

Because N3XT is a narrow bank that does not engage in lending, it reduces exposure to liquidity crunches and credit failures issues that contributed to the collapse of several U.S. banks in recent years. Its model focuses strictly on payments, custody, and real-time settlement, offering institutions a risk-managed structure for blockchain-enabled banking.

Why N3XT Is Launching Now

The banking sector continues to evolve following the 2023 failures of Signature Bank and other institutions that served crypto-centric business clients. Many companies have struggled to access reliable U.S. dollar rails, especially those that require fast settlement or operate across multiple time zones.

N3XT aims to fill that void with a fully reserved, transparent, regulation-aligned banking alternative that supports digital-asset innovation without the lending-related risks of traditional banks. With its fresh capital, N3XT plans to expand its workforce, scale its blockchain infrastructure, and onboard early institutional partners throughout 2025.

FAQs 

Q1. What is N3XT?
N3XT is a blockchain-based full-reserve digital bank offering real-time, programmable U.S. dollar payments for institutional clients. It operates under a Wyoming SPDI charter and does not engage in lending.

Q2. How much funding has N3XT raised?
The company has raised a total of $72 million across three funding rounds from leading venture capital firms.

Q3. Why is N3XT different from traditional banks?
N3XT is a full-reserve institution, meaning deposits are backed 1:1 by cash or short-term U.S. Treasuries. Traditional banks use fractional-reserve lending, which carries more liquidity and credit risk.

Q4. Who is N3XT designed for?
The platform is built for institutions such as crypto trading firms, fintechs, logistics companies, and global commerce platforms that require instant, 24/7 access to U.S. dollar settlement services.

Q5. Is N3XT FDIC-insured?
No. Under the SPDI model, institutions are not FDIC-insured. Instead, they maintain full, highly liquid reserves to protect client funds.

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Alex Johnson - Cryptocurrency Expert
Alex Johnson
Chief Editor & Blockchain Analyst
10+ years experience in cryptocurrency journalism. Specializes in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and DeFi markets. Previously worked at CoinDesk and Bloomberg Crypto.
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