By Chris Lawn, CEO, Elwood Technologies

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In late 2023, I had the incredible honor of joining Elwood as the firm’s new CEO.  Looking back, 2024 has been nothing short of transformative for Elwood and the industry, defined by remarkable progress as our exceptional team has driven forward ambitious initiatives in product innovation and business strategy. All these efforts are fueled by one shared mission: empowering funds and institutions with comprehensive, cutting-edge, digital asset trading, risk, and portfolio management software.

Elwood is more than a company—we are a connectivity engine, a bridge that enables our clients to confidently manage, value, and transfer risk in this rapidly evolving space.

Elwood’s journey is rooted in innovation with an institutional mindset. What began as an asset management firm leveraging proprietary technology evolved into a full-fledged SaaS provider. Recognizing the unmatched potential of our technology, we pivoted to focus solely on delivering one of the best-in-class software solutions for institutions trading and managing digital assets. This vision was amplified by the build-out and integration of our new portfolio and risk management system in 2023/24.

With my arrival, we made a bold and decisive move. We divested our OTC principal dealer desk and doubled down on our core strength — delivering a front-to-back EMS (Execution Management System), PMS (Portfolio Management System) and RMS (Risk Management System). By refining our focus, we positioned ourselves as a trusted partner, serving the needs of both the TradFi and digital asset communities.

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A Future-Ready Vision

Our pedigree—shaped by a powerful network of investors, sophisticated clients, and in-house quants and software developers—sets us apart in the digital asset ecosystem. Our vision is ambitious yet clear: to become the go-to modular solution for front-to-back digital asset trading and portfolio management. We aim to be a household name in the industry, propelling institutions confidently into the future as this space rapidly institutionalizes.

The timing has never been better. Industry milestones in 2024, like Bitcoin ETF approval in the U.S. highlight a seismic shift. Banks, brokers, hedge funds, and asset managers are entering the digital asset landscape at an accelerating pace. Given the changing landscape in the U.S., we anticipate this will herald an era of increased investment, IPOs and consolidation through M&A activity, further accelerating the maturity and resilience of the digital asset ecosystem.

Today, we stand as a partner powered by performance, efficiency, and security. Elwood is here as the bridge that carries them seamlessly into this new frontier. Meeting the high expectations of the institutional community and reflecting our TradFi heritage permeates all we do.

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Tech-First Solutions for Today’s Challenges

Navigating the digital asset ecosystem can be daunting for investors, traders, and money managers. It is not for the faint of heart. From fragmented infrastructure to operational complexity, this industry presents unique hurdles. Elwood’s expertise, support structure and modular, end-to-end platform removes these obstacles, offering an elegant solution.

One key challenge is the lack of standardization across venues, fund administrators, and data providers. Our platform tackles this head-on, providing a single point of access — via API or UI.

But we don’t stop there. Our platform goes beyond market access, simplifying operational complexities with:

• Algorithmic tools
• Smart order routing
• Live risk analysis
• Advanced portfolio tracking
• Reconciliation
• Detailed P&L attribution
• Scenario Analysis
• Margin monitoring

Backed by proprietary models crafted by expert quants and engineers, our comprehensive ecosystem empowers clients to execute their strategies with precision across multiple venues and instruments.

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The Road Ahead

As we step into 2025, the horizon for digital assets is brighter than ever. The momentum we’ve witnessed over the past year has set the stage for a transformative period in institutional engagement. Digital assets are no longer a niche corner of finance—they’re becoming a core pillar of the global financial ecosystem, and the excitement is palpable.

At Elwood, we are already seeing the early signals of this acceleration. Requests for demos and whiteboard sessions have surged, as funds and institutions seek to better understand how our tools can empower their strategies. This enthusiasm isn’t just theoretical—it’s translating into tangible commitments, as institutions increasingly look to integrate digital assets into their operational frameworks. 

Through collaboration, continuous innovation and an unwavering focus on empowering institutions, we’re committed to ensuring that this enthusiasm for digital assets translates into long-term success for our clients. The road ahead is promising, and we’re thrilled to be walking it together with our clients, partners and investors. Let’s embrace the opportunities that 2025 has to offer and build a more connected, resilient, and innovative financial future.

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