IMAGE: Partior
Prior to joining Partior as its head honcho, Humphrey Valenbreder was COO at bunq, a European digital bank headquartered in Amsterdam, where he played a pivotal role in scaling operations and expanding the neobank’s market presence.
Additionally, under Valenbreder’s leadership, bunq was involved in a landmark legal case concerning the use of AI for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal ruled in favour of bunq, endorsing the bank’s innovative AI-driven approach to AML, which was more effective than traditional methods.
These accomplishments highlight Valenbreder’s ability to drive growth, innovation, and regulatory advancements in the fintech industry, positioning him to effectively lead Partior in enhancing cross-border settlement solutions.
Under his leadership, Partior secured a US$80 million Series B funding round in November 2024, with additional investment from Deutsche Bank; on top of the first close led by Peak XV Partners in July 2024 with participation from Valor Capital Group, Jump Trading Group, and existing shareholders such as J.P. Morgan, Standard Chartered and Temasek.
Valenbreder’s strategic focus on transitioning Partior from a start-up to a scalable enterprise has been instrumental in enhancing the company’s cross-border settlement capabilities. His emphasis on standardisation and operational efficiency aims to streamline integration processes with banking systems, thereby reducing settlement times and operational costs.
Valenbreder shared his vision for revolutionising cross-border payments and settlement systems with Deeptech Times in an interview. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation, shedding light on how Partior aims to reshape financial services with cutting-edge blockchain technology and innovative solutions.
The vision
At its core, Partior is designed to make cross-border liquidity settlement more efficient. Using distributed ledger technology (DLT), Partior addresses inefficiencies in traditional banking systems by providing a seamless platform for cross-border payments. Valenbreder emphasised that the company’s mission is not simply to compete with banks but to complement them by solving longstanding issues such as last-mile connectivity, interoperability and network density.
“Unlike a B2C retail app that can quickly scale through marketing, Partior aims to build an entirely new infrastructure for cross-border liquidity, something that hasn’t been done often before. This mission is inherently more challenging but holds significant long-term value,” he said.
“Over the past three years, much of Partior’s work has been focused on laying a strong foundation. The company has successfully onboarded live customers that validate the platform’s functionality. However, the challenge now is to transition from a start-up phase where the core infrastructure was built, to a scale-up phase where that infrastructure is widely adopted.”
Blockchain-based, real-time atomic settlement
The future of cross-border transactions is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the shift towards real-time atomic settlement. As the industry embraces this trend, it raises important questions about how companies are positioning themselves to lead in this evolving space.
When asked about the challenges and opportunities in this area, Valenbreder shared his perspective.
“The answer is simple. Partior was designed precisely to enable atomic settlement and ensure predictability. Our platform addresses these issues head-on through its core design.”
He emphasised that while many blockchain initiatives have emerged in recent years, few have progressed beyond proof-of-concept stages to deliver live transactions and real-world solutions.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say in England. We’ve seen numerous blockchain projects but only a handful have actual live customers and transactions. Many remain stuck at the white paper or sprint phase. Partior stands out because we’ve moved beyond that.”
“To me, the Series B round is more than just raising capital—it’s a testament to our value proposition. While strategic investors are important, attracting financial investors that have other capital allocation options speaks volumes. The fact that these investors chose to back us shows confidence in our leadership in this space.”
Strategic partnerships
A highlight of the conversation was Partior’s partnership with Nium, a global payments platform. The CEO described the partnership as a game-changer for achieving last-mile connectivity—ensuring that payments reach the ultimate beneficiaries efficiently.
“Nium’s extensive reach and depth allow us to connect with a vast network of countries and beneficiaries for trade payments,” he said.
This partnership complements Partior’s existing relationships with global financial heavyweights like J.P. Morgan, DBS, and Standard Chartered. By integrating Nium’s capabilities, Partior enhances its ability to provide end-to-end payment solutions, particularly for underserved regions where traditional banks fall short.
Building network density
A recurring theme during the interview was the importance of network density—a critical factor in achieving Partior’s vision.
Valenbreder likened Partior’s journey to building a mobile phone network: the value of the network increases exponentially as more participants join. Partior’s focus is on adding major financial institutions across regions, with recent additions like Emirates NBD, which brings multi-currency capabilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and anticipated expansions into the Eurozone, China, India and Latin America.
“Network density is crucial to realising the full potential of the platform. Drawing a parallel to the early days of mobile phone networks, having a small number of subscribers limits a network’s value,” he explained. “Real utility comes when millions of users can connect and communicate across borders seamlessly. Similarly, Partior needs to grow its network beyond a handful of banks in one country. The focus is on building a global network where banks from different regions can interact smoothly.”
Scaling up and standardisation
As Partior transitions from a start-up to a scale-up organisation, the focus is on standardising its offerings. Valenbreder envisions a platform that provides a uniform experience for all users, eliminating the need for customised solutions.
“We want one box that says ‘Partior’ and is used by 100 banks,” he stated. This approach will make it easier for new participants to join the network while ensuring that existing users can seamlessly adopt future functionalities.
Regulatory compliance: A double-edged sword
Navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions is both a challenge and an opportunity for Partior. The CEO acknowledged the varying levels of sophistication among regulators globally. While some, like Singapore’s MAS, are well-versed in blockchain and digital innovation, others require extensive education on blockchain’s nuances and its distinction from cryptocurrencies.
Partior’s strategy involves collaborating closely with banks to educate regulators, ensuring compliance while building trust in its platform. He described this as a partnership approach: “We help our customers meet regulatory requirements by providing detailed information on our technology, cybersecurity, and resilience.” This proactive stance has allowed Partior to navigate regulatory environments with relative ease.
“Regulation is a double-edged sword. We see it more as an opportunity than a challenge. In our design, implementation and build, we ensure that our platform remains compliant with various regulatory requirements. While Partior itself is not a regulated entity, our customers are. We help them navigate these requirements by providing the necessary support to meet regulatory expectations.”
For every currency that Partior supports, there is a corresponding regulatory framework that must be addressed.
“For each currency, there is a regulator that either needs to approve the use of our solution by the banks or raise no objections. We assist banks by educating regulators on our technology, addressing questions related to cybersecurity, resilience and more. It’s a real partnership.”
The role of interoperability
Interoperability is one of the three pillars of Partior’s roadmap, alongside network density and innovation. Valenbreder emphasised the need for Partior to serve as a universal adapter for different financial systems, whether it involves CBDCs, commercial bank money or FX transactions. “We aim to create an international multi-use case adapter that enables seamless liquidity movement between countries,” he explained.
This approach aligns with the growing trend of atomic settlement, where transactions are completed in real-time with minimal risk. By positioning itself as a leader in interoperability, Partior aims to bridge the gap between traditional financial systems and emerging digital asset ecosystems.
A global outlook
Partior’s expansion strategy is firmly rooted in following trade flows. Valenbreder highlighted key regions of focus, including the Middle East, Latin America and APAC. In Latin America, for instance, the company’s ability to integrate with domestic blockchain initiatives like Brazil’s Drex gives it a competitive edge in facilitating international trade.
Meanwhile, markets like India and China remain top priorities due to their significant trade volumes. Valenbreder stressed that Partior’s goal is to create a truly global network that supports diverse trade flows, from Brazil-China to India-U.S., by addressing the unique challenges of each region.
As global trade continues to grow, Partior’s ability to adapt and scale will be critical. For now, the company’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of technology and collaboration in addressing the complexities of international finance.
In an industry where many initiatives remain theoretical, Partior’s ability to deliver tangible results and secure investor confidence underscores its role as a frontrunner in blockchain innovation.
