Singapore-based trade finance platform Olea Global has raised US$30 million in a Series A funding round, as it looks to scale its technology-driven approach to simplifying global trade for businesses, particularly in emerging markets across Asia.
The round was led by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), with participation from XDC Network, theDOCK, and other strategic investors. Existing shareholder SC Ventures, the venture-building arm of Standard Chartered Bank, also joined the round.
Also Read: Why blockchain is instrumental for the future of trade finance
The fresh capital will be deployed towards accelerating product innovation, including AI-driven analytics, Web3 readiness, and the development of higher-growth solutions such as embedded finance, aligned with evolving client needs. Olea also plans to expand origination across high-growth trade corridors by leveraging its global partnership ecosystem.
The equity raise follows a funding facility arranged in November 2024 by HSBC and Manulife | CQS Investment Management, strengthening Olea’s balance sheet as it scales its operations.
Backed by banks, built for modern trade
With BBVA coming in as lead investor, Olea is set to expand into new trade corridors across Europe, the US, Latin America, and Asia. Both companies plan to collaborate on digital supply chain solutions and advanced risk analytics, combining banking expertise with Olea’s technology-first platform.
SC Ventures, which incubated Olea, explore further collaboration with Olea in digital assets and artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, XDC Network, a layer-1 blockchain platform focused on enterprise and trade finance, will support Olea’s ambition to enable tokenised and stablecoin-based trade flows, while theDOCK, a venture capital firm specialising in maritime logistics, is expected to open up new commercial pathways and ecosystem partnerships.
Addressing the global trade finance gap
Founded in 2022, Olea has built an institutional-grade digital trade finance platform, underpinned by “robust” risk management and a Capital Market Services (CMS) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
To date, the company has established origination capabilities across more than 70 trade corridors, partnered with over 30 institutional funders, and facilitated more than US$3 billion in financing for global suppliers and buyers.
Olea is headquartered in Singapore and was originally founded with investment from SC Ventures and Linklogis.
At a time when global trade continues to grow modestly — with services trade leading expansion in the first half of 2025 — the trade finance gap remains at an estimated US$1.7 trillion, disproportionately impacting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. Olea’s platform aims to address this gap by digitising document verification, automating risk assessment through AI, and improving transparency using blockchain technology.
In simple terms, Olea acts as a bridge between global capital providers — such as banks and institutional investors — and businesses involved in cross-border trade, enabling faster, more secure access to financing for suppliers and more efficient payment flows for buyers.
Looking ahead
As AI and blockchain technologies continue to reshape global trade — from risk management and logistics optimisation to real-time settlement and traceability — Olea is positioning itself at the intersection of technology, finance, and cross-border commerce, with Asia firmly at the centre of its growth strategy.
Also Read: XDC Ventures acquires Contour to bridge TradFi and Web3 in global trade
With fresh capital and heavyweight institutional backing, the company is now poised for its next phase of expansion, working to accelerate global trade, make it faster, more transparent, and more accessible for businesses worldwide.
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