Tokenized Reinsurance Asset ONyc Gains Independent Verification to Secure DeFi Collateral Role

2026-01-16 companies

Hamilton, Friday, 16 January 2026.
OnRe SAC Ltd. implements independent verification for ONyc, responding to its evolution from a simple yield asset to critical onchain collateral, ensuring institutional-grade transparency for decentralized finance markets.

Elevating Transparency Standards

On January 16, 2026, OnRe SAC Ltd. formally introduced a dual-layer verification framework designed to bolster confidence in ONyc, its flagship tokenized reinsurance vehicle [1]. As the asset increasingly functions as collateral across decentralized finance (DeFi) venues, the Hamilton, Bermuda-based reinsurer has integrated institutional net asset value (NAV) and reserve attestations via Apex, alongside DeFi-native verification protocols provided by Accountable [1][3]. This strategic enhancement addresses a pivotal shift in the digital asset market, where investors are prioritizing assets that offer verifiable stability over simple yield generation [3]. Ayyan Rahman, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at OnRe, emphasized that as ONyc sees active use in lending and liquidity markets, independent verification is no longer optional but essential for maintaining leverage during stressed market conditions [1].

From Yield Chasing to Collateral Utility

The expansion of these protocols reflects a broader maturation within the DeFi sector, moving away from the “yield chasing” behavior that characterized earlier market cycles [4]. According to industry analysis published on January 15, 2026, the market is increasingly valuing assets based on their behavior as working capital—specifically their ability to retain liquidity and value when used as collateral for borrowing [3][4]. OnRe’s operational data indicates that ONyc is now being deployed across looping strategies, structured vaults, and liquid secondary venues, necessitating a risk model that prioritizes secondary liquidity and transparency [3]. Rahman notes that the true signal of an asset’s quality is now its “sustained utilization” across differing market conditions, rather than just the returns it offers [1][4].

Underwriting Depth and Global Reach

To support the underlying value of the ONyc token, OnRe has also moved to strengthen its reinsurance underwriting capabilities. Just two days prior to the verification announcement, on January 14, 2026, OnRe entered a partnership with Rhodium Re, a Dubai-based managing general agent [2]. Under this agreement, OnRe has delegated $150 million to Rhodium Re to expand global underwriting distribution [2]. This collaboration allows OnRe to combine its capital base with Rhodium’s regional expertise in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets and beyond, aiming to build a diversified global property and specialty portfolio [2]. By targeting a base return of approximately 16% across market cycles, the firm attempts to anchor the digital token’s performance to tangible real-world economic activity [2][3].

Strategic Positioning in Bermuda

OnRe’s operations are situated within a jurisdiction known for its rigorous approach to reinsurance and digital asset regulation. Bermuda, often referred to as the “risk capital of the world,” processes approximately one-third of global insurance and reinsurance capital and underwrites over $2 trillion in global natural catastrophe risk [5]. The island’s regulatory framework, described as the “Bermuda Triangle of Innovation,” facilitates close collaboration between the government, the Bermuda Monetary Authority, and private industry to foster compliant innovation [5]. This environment supports OnRe’s objective to bridge the gap between the $800 billion global property and casualty reinsurance market and the estimated $250 billion in alternative capital connected via its platform [1][3].

Sources

Tokenized Reinsurance Onchain Collateral