Otter & Co. backs Telcoin to bring the nation’s first regulated digital bank and stablecoin to Nebraska.
St. Louis, MO – October 14, 2025 – A St. Louis investment team is making waves in digital finance with a landmark investment in blockchain banking. Tom Kaiman and Jim Cook, co-founders of Otter & Co. Capital Holdings, along with a group of investors from Otter & Company, have partnered to invest in Telcoin, a blockchain-based financial services company set to become the first regulated blockchain bank in the United States, as it prepares to open its doors in Nebraska. For Otter & Co., founded in December 2024 to acquire and invest in growth-ready Midwest businesses, the move signals a bold step into financial technology at a time when cryptocurrency and digital banking are reshaping global markets.
Telcoin’s Nebraska bank will issue eUSD, the first state-regulated stablecoin in the United States, marking the first time a state has approved blockchain-based digital cash of its kind. The charter was made possible under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act, passed in 2021, which created a path for regulated stablecoins in the state. Unlike federal regulators who are still drafting rules, Nebraska officials have developed a framework to assess stablecoin risk—looking at blockchain, governance, and tokenomics—making Nebraska the first state to give digital assets a formal banking structure. The Nebraska bank will also connect depositors to decentralized finance protocols, blending traditional banking services with blockchain innovation.
Telcoin has raised more than $25 million as part of its pre-Series A funding round, underscoring strong investor confidence. The company is licensed as a Major Payment Institution in Singapore, registered as a virtual asset service provider in Europe, and as a money services business in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. In 2018, Telcoin became the first blockchain-focused company to receive membership in the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the world’s largest telecom organization, further highlighting its global credibility.
Otter & Co. sees cryptocurrency as the future of banking. In its simplest form, cryptocurrency is digital money that isn’t issued by a government like the U.S. dollar or British pound. Its value is driven by supply and demand, and while it carries higher risk without centralized oversight, it opens the door to more transparent and efficient global financial systems. Stablecoins, such as Telcoin’s eUSD, are designed to hold a fixed value, avoiding the volatility of traditional cryptocurrencies. This segment is drawing the most interest from banks and retailers, and it is exactly where Telcoin is focusing its efforts.
“Telcoin is building the infrastructure that will define the next generation of banking, and we see enormous potential in aligning our team with that vision. Partnering on the launch of the first fully regulated digital asset bank in Nebraska reflects the kind of bold, future-focused opportunities we want to pursue,” said Tom Kaiman, co-founder of Otter & Co. Capital Holdings.
“Launching a first-of-its-kind digital asset bank in Nebraska is more than just integrating new technology, but about proving that blockchain innovation can work hand in hand with banking regulation to serve real people and communities,” said Paule Neuner, CEO of Telcoin. “With the support of investors like Otter, we’re opening a bank and building a stablecoin that isn’t just faster and safer, but one that brings real-world trust and utility to the future of money.”
Otter & Co. Capital Holdings focuses on acquiring and investing in small to mid-sized Midwest businesses with steady revenue, strong growth potential, and a culture that values innovation and operational excellence. Its portfolio already includes investments across construction, real estate, and now financial technology.
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About Telcoin
Telcoin, a multinational fintech serving 171 countries, is revolutionizing global finance by merging blockchain technology, telecommunications, and banking. Telcoin is launching the world's first regulated blockchain bank and eUSD, a pioneering bank-issued “Digital Cash” stablecoin. Telcoin offers secure, self-custodial blockchain payments and banking services globally, powered by its own decentralized financial infrastructure. As a GSMA member, Telcoin is driving new organizational participation while empowering the telecom ecosystem with shared ownership of a blockchain network designed for mobile operators and their subscribers. This compliant, banking-first approach harnesses blockchain's power to redefine how the world interacts with money on the internet. Learn more at www.telco.in.
About Otter & Co. Capital Holdings
Otter & Co. Capital Holdings is a St. Louis-based investment firm specializing in acquiring, partnering with, and growing small operating businesses across the Midwest and beyond. With a focus on creating sustainable, long-term growth, Otter & Co. Capital Holdings invests strategically to unlock synergies and accelerate business performance through operational excellence and strategic partnerships. Learn more at ottercompanycapital.com.
For more information, contact: Sarah Stiehr, Triple Loop Marketing, 847.946.1880
