Resolv Labs’ Ivan Kozlov On His Startup's US$10 Million Seed

Resolv Labs, a crypto startup based in Abu Dhabi, has secured US$10 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its yield-generating stablecoin protocol, Resolv.

The round was co-led by two major investors, Cyber.Fund, a Web3-native investment firm focused on decentralized infrastructure, and Maven11, a crypto-native venture capital firm.

In an interview with Inc. Arabia, Resolv Labs co-founder and CEO Ivan Kozlov said that the funding will mark a new era of growth for the company. “We’re allocating the $10 million seed round across several strategic priorities,” he said. “The largest share is directed toward core protocol development—including expanding our collateral strategy, improving risk tooling, and strengthening the underlying infrastructure. We’re also investing in team growth across research, engineering, and ecosystem roles to support the protocol’s next phase.” 

Besides the two lead investors, Resolv Labs' seed round also saw participation from top-tier backers including Coinbase Ventures, the investment arm of the U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase; SCB Limited, a digital asset investment firm affiliated with Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank; Arrington Capital, a digital asset management firm founded by TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington; Animoca Ventures, the investment arm of Animoca Brands and a major backer of blockchain gaming and the open metaverse; Gumi Cryptos, the venture capital arm of Japanese mobile gaming giant Gumi; NoLimit Holdings, a private investment group focused on emerging technologies; and Robot Ventures, a pre-seed and seed-stage crypto fund founded by Compound’s Robert Leshner. 

The influx of funds is now set to support the diversification of Resolv Labs’s yield strategies, most notably through the integration of Bitcoin-based mechanisms, and strengthen the protocol’s alignment with institutional digital asset managers. The company also aims to broaden its presence by deploying on additional blockchain networks to reach a wider audience. 

Founded by Kozlov, Fedor Cmilev, and Tim Shekikhachev in Abu Dhabi in 2023, Resolv Labs’s stablecoin, USR, utilizes a delta-neutral yield approach. Pegged to the US dollar, USR is designed to generate consistent returns from crypto markets while minimizing exposure to market volatility. 

Kozlov emphasized the importance of blockchain diversification in scaling the platform’s user base. “By deploying Resolv assets to broader blockchain ecosystems, we’re able to reach new user bases, integrate into local liquidity venues, and align with emerging ecosystems that show strong developer and user activity,” he explained. “This expansion will be essential to scale adoption and make USR accessible wherever stable, transparent collateral is needed—across decentralized finance (DeFi), institutional applications, and on/off-ramp platforms.” 

Kozlov also highlighted the company’s focus on accessibility and geographic growth. “We’re focused on making USR accessible through mobile wallets, Telegram-integrated apps, and neobanking platforms—helping everyday users tap into stable yield without needing to navigate complex DeFi tools,” he said. “Another large area of focus is geographical expansion through licensed and regulated setups, either through dedicated partnerships, or through licensing company operations in select jurisdictions.” 

Kozlov also pointed out that the protocol’s design gives users more control over their exposure. “What truly sets USR apart is its two-token structure," he shared. "USR holders get a stable, risk-isolated asset. Risk-linked pool holders take on the higher yields and associated volatility. This separation ensures that users can choose their exposure, while the system remains sustainable and secure." 

For Kozlov, USR’s edge in the increasingly competitive stablecoin market is its balance of stability, transparency, and yield generation. “Unlike current stablecoin designs that are either backed by real-world assets, overcollateralized and not capital efficient, or exposed to hidden risks, USR is designed to offer both stability and crypto-sourced returns through transparent architecture,” he emphasized. “It’s backed by a mix of optimized crypto collateral and managed through delta-neutral strategies that isolate market risk.” 

Kozlov added that the company has built USR with long-term scalability in mind. “As we grow, our modular approach allows us to diversify the yield engine—integrating new strategies without compromising the integrity of the collateral base,” he told Inc. Arabia. “The result is a stablecoin that’s not just safe to hold, but fundamentally designed to scale with the market.” 

Reflecting on the shifting dynamics of global crypto markets, Kozlov highlighted the strategic importance of the MENA region in Resolv’s long-term outlook. “The MENA is becoming one of the major regions with focused crypto adoption, and we expect this to become even more pronounced over the next 3–5 years,” he said. “Major projects and industry players are relocating here, as the region managed to create an attractive environment for building in crypto. Countries like the UAE are leading this transformation by combining regulatory clarity, institutional capital, and a strong appetite for innovation.” 

Kozlov also highlighted how government-led initiatives and strategic investments are driving momentum in the region’s digital asset ecosystem. “The UAE, in particular, is positioning itself as a global leader in digital assets," he said. "Initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) have established clear frameworks for digital asset regulation, attracting major players like Binance and OKX to set up operations in the region. Furthermore, significant investments, such as Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund’s $2 billion stake in Binance, underscore the country’s commitment to becoming a crypto innovation hub.” 

For Kozlov, the region is not just an opportunity—it’s a priority. “At Resolv, we view the MENA region, and the UAE in particular, as strategic markets for our expansion,” he said. “The region’s progressive stance on digital assets aligns with our mission to provide secure and sustainable yield solutions to a diverse user base.” 

For Web3 founders navigating today’s fundraising landscape, Kozlov recommends staying nimble and efficient and building lasting networks. “When the markets are tough, focus on building the product with minimal spend on things that are secondary to the core design,” he said. “Show commitment to the cause by consistently delivering. Build the reputation of the team that can execute.”  

He also emphasized the power of strong connections. “Network with those who are building meaningful things. When the time comes and the markets become more alive, you will be far ahead of the competition by having prepared everything for an efficient raise – you will have the product (even if pretty raw), the connections, and the ability to scale via additional resources,” Kozlov concluded. 

Pictured in the lead image is Ivan Koslov, co-founder and CEO of Resolv Labs. Image courtesy Resolv Labs.