Talos is a premier provider of institutional digital asset infrastructure — and it has just integrated with Kalshi, bridging prediction markets trading to institutions for the first time. Hedge funds and market makers can now trade regulated prediction markets on the same infrastructure they already use for digital assets. Joining me to discuss this is Anton Katz, CEO of Talos. Anton, thanks so much for joining us.
Thanks so much for having us.
The company just announced institutional access to prediction markets. What does that mean in practice for institutional investors?
We serve two primary groups — institutional asset managers and hedge funds trading directly on the platform, and white-label brokers providing those capabilities to their retail customers. What connecting to prediction markets means is that our clients use exactly the same toolset they use today: same connectivity, same screens, same APIs, algorithmic trading, block trading — all now pointed at prediction markets. They do not have to integrate anything new. The same infrastructure, new markets.
The UAE and Abu Dhabi are major hubs for global macro hedge funds. What are you seeing from clients in the region?
We have seen significant growth in Abu Dhabi over the past three years — large numbers of asset managers establishing operations there, driven by regulatory clarity and proximity to capital. Interest in prediction markets from clients in the region is strong. We are waiting on one additional step — regulatory clarity from local regulators. Dubai has opined on prediction markets and indicated it is looking for a self-regulatory interaction there. We are gearing up to service that market the moment we have clarity.
Why are institutional investors looking at prediction markets differently from retail traders?
There are two institutional approaches. The first is institutions that want to be the market maker in event-based contracts — providing liquidity just as they do in equities. The second is institutions that want to take a direct view on a specific event — a geopolitical development, an election, a policy change. Today, expressing that view requires routing through FX or equity derivatives. Event-based contracts are different — you take a direct view on the event itself. Institutions want large block sizes and that is exactly where our RFQ platform comes in.
What do institutional digital asset markets look like in three to five years?
My hope — and belief — is that we stop distinguishing between digital assets and traditional assets altogether. Last week, DTCC began tokenising equities and treasuries on-chain. Talos was part of that alongside many of our clients. DTCC has $144 trillion worth of assets to tokenise. For the first time, real capital markets assets are getting on-chain. I believe we will see a genuine acceleration of that over the next three to five years — a true revamp of capital markets built on top of digital asset platforms.
What is your hope for expanding in the MENA region?
The MENA region is already very forward-looking on digital assets and capital markets digitisation. Traditionally, once the technology is established — which it is today — the region takes decisive and quick steps. I believe MENA will not just participate in this global evolution. It will lead it.
Anton, thank you so much for joining us today.
Thank you so much for having me.
