Entry Secures $1M in Pre-Seed Funding to Integrate AI-Driven Compliance and zk Privacy for Regulated DeFi

Entry, the firm formerly known as Zekret Protocol, has successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to advance its mission of merging AI-driven compliance with zero-knowledge privacy solutions in the world of regulated decentralized finance (DeFi).

Key Takeaways

Entry, previously Zekret Protocol, raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to enhance compliance in regulated DeFi using AI and zk technology.
The funding round was led by Modern Niagara, with participation from Qrecendo and Perrfin, and supports a projected market valuation at TGE.
The company's compliance-native protocol allows safe transactions for institutions while maintaining privacy.
The utility token, ENT, will facilitate functions such as zkID, governance, and AI access fees for compliance verification.
The protocol aligns with global regulatory frameworks and is preparing for its mainnet launch, having already initiated public testing.

Funding and Vision

Entry, the innovation-driven infrastructure connecting traditional institutions with decentralized finance (DeFi), has secured $1 million in pre-seed funding to blend AI-powered compliance with zero-knowledge (zk) privacy measures. The funding round, led by Modern Niagara with contributions from Qrecendo and Perrfin, is a part of the company's rebranding from Zekret Protocol to Entry.

This financing includes a combination of equity and Simple Agreements for Future Tokens (SAFT) components, landing at a seed Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV) of approximately $25 million, with a projected value around $50 million at Token Generation Event (TGE). This aligns with Entry's strategy to introduce regulated digital asset solutions.

Rodney Prescott, CEO of Entry, stated, “Institutions require foundations designed for privacy and equipped for regulatory compliance. Our compliance-native protocol connects verified users and vetted assets, eliminating risk barriers to broader adoption.”

Bryce Jones, VP & Area Manager at Modern Niagara, remarked, “Our investment reflects the genuine needs of institutions: comprehensive regulatory controls without hampering the speed of development or overall privacy. By integrating zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) with a clear compliance engine, Entry enables real-world assets (RWAs) to transition on-chain with security and scalability.”

Suzanne Ley, CEO of Qrecendo, emphasized, "The dual-utility ENT token creates a dynamic economic cycle within compliant DeFi. We expect a straightforward pathway to enterprise adoption in the US and EU, particularly as regulators and market players converge on transparency—including confidentiality."

Technological Foundations

Entry is establishing the core layer for regulated digital assets, merging zero-knowledge identity (zkID) with an understandable AI compliance engine. This setup allows institutions to operate privately while adhering to regulatory standards. The protocol verifies users and screens assets with auditable controls, transforming proof into permission and addressing crucial challenges faced by institutions in the decentralized finance (DeFi) arena.

The network operates on the ENT token, which powers both zero-knowledge computations and AI compliance reasoning. Key functionalities include zkID & permissioning, node staking, work rewards, governance, and fees related to AI access for compliance inquiries. The team is working to align the protocol with global regulations such as MiCA, MAS, and standards set by the SEC/FATF, as they progress toward the official mainnet launch.

Development and Market Strategy

Since July 2025, Entry's public testnet has been active, focusing initially on onboarding institutional pilots and integrating developers ahead of the mainnet launch. The company is already seeing significant commercial interest, with over 20 Letters of Intent (LOIs) and participation in regulatory sandboxes in the EU and APAC, which provide structured environments for early project implementations.

The marketing strategy centers on a compliance-first DeFi infrastructure tailored for banks, brokers, custodians, funds, and governmental entities. Revenue will be generated through enterprise deployments, institutional subscriptions and licensing, management and maintenance services, and compliance-as-a-service offerings.

Entry is partnered with prominent organizations such as the Cardano Foundation, Avalanche, Secret Network, and BitcoinOS, as well as capital markets contributors Qrecendo and Perrfin. The goal is to develop an open, protocol-agnostic compliance layer for on-chain finance. By functioning as a Layer 1 network and incorporating Layer 3 compliance technology from Zekret Labs, Entry aspires to create a scalable, secure, and institution-ready regulated DeFi environment.

About Entry

Entry serves as a compliance-focused infrastructure that enables privacy-preserving, regulator-ready decentralized finance. By merging zkID, an AI-driven compliance engine, and verifiable proof systems, Entry effectively connects traditional institutions with the decentralized finance ecosystem.

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