The Nasdaq MarketSite is located in Times Square, New York (AP / Richard Drew)
ReserveOne, a new player in the cryptocurrency world, is stepping into the spotlight with a big move—going public on the Nasdaq. The firm, backed by some of the biggest names in crypto and finance, is planning to raise over $1 billion through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) called M3-Brigade Acquisition V Corp.
The deal is expected to be finalized between October and December this year. Once complete, ReserveOne will join a growing list of companies trying to package crypto into more familiar financial products to attract traditional investors. Think of it as crypto meeting Wall Street.
A Portfolio Aligned with the U.S. Strategic Crypto Reserve
Unlike typical crypto investment firms, ReserveOne plans to manage a portfolio that includes top digital currencies like bitcoin, ethereum, and Solana. But there's a twist—it aims to align these holdings with the U.S. strategic crypto reserve. This approach hints at a deeper connection to U.S. crypto strategy, which could help it stand out in a crowded market.
Experienced Leadership at the Helm
What makes ReserveOne especially interesting is its leadership team. CEO Jaime Leverton, who previously headed crypto mining firm Hut 8, believes the team’s unique mix of Wall Street experience, regulatory knowledge, and crypto expertise sets them apart.
“Our team and future board members come from very diverse, high-level backgrounds across finance and crypto,” Leverton said in an interview.
Joining her is Sebastian Bea, a former executive from BlackRock and Coinbase Asset Management, who will serve as president and head of investments. This duo brings a wealth of experience and credibility to the venture.
A Powerful Board with Familiar Names
ReserveOne’s board isn’t short on big names. Reeve Collins, co-founder of Tether (a major stablecoin), will act as chairman. Former Blackstone executive Chinh Chu and Wilbur Ross, who served as U.S. Commerce Secretary under President Trump, will also hold board seats.
Interestingly, Leverton shared that Wilbur Ross, once skeptical of crypto, has come around after several months of discussions and research. “He’s really opened up to this space,” she said.
Smart Crypto Strategies: Lending and Staking
ReserveOne won’t just buy and hold crypto. It plans to generate steady returns by lending some of its assets and offering them for institutional staking. In simple terms, it will put its digital assets to work—earning payouts in exchange for locking them up securely on blockchain networks.
Major Investors and Strong Financial Backing
Backing the deal are notable crypto firms like Blockchain.com and Kraken, which are providing up to $750 million through a mix of equity and convertible debt. This solid financial foundation gives ReserveOne a strong start in its public journey.
M3-Brigade, the SPAC ReserveOne is merging with, is a type of blank-check company that exists solely to take private firms public. Once the merger wraps, ReserveOne will be publicly traded—opening up access for everyday investors looking to dip into crypto, without actually buying digital coins themselves.
