TradeFlow Capital Management

What TradeFlow Capital Management does

TradeFlow Capital Management is a Singapore-based institutional asset manager founded in 2016 that addresses the SME bulk-commodity trade finance gap through two open-ended Cayman Segregated Portfolio funds — the CEMP USD Trade Flow Fund (launched April 2018) and the CEMP EUR Trade Flow Fund (launched February 2020). The firm operates a non-credit, non-lending model: it takes principal ownership of physical commodities during shipment or storage, swaps pure credit risk for insurable physical risk through Lloyd's of London underwritten counterparty scorecards, and earns a Trade Support Fee spread between supplier and end-buyer prices. Its proprietary Risk Transformation Engine combines AI-driven counterparty scoring, a digital trade infrastructure platform hosted on AWS, and integration with electronic Bill of Lading providers (Bolero, ICE Digital Trade, WAVE BL) to onboard SME counterparties in 3-5 business days. Since inception the funds have facilitated over USD 5 billion in physical commodity trade across 5,000+ transactions in 18+ countries for 1,900+ KYC-reviewed SME counterparties, reporting 66.69% and 42.64% net since-inception returns for the USD and EUR funds respectively, with the EUR fund recording zero down months and A- Senior / BBB Subordinated credit equivalents.

The business model combines subscription-style revenue (1.25% per annum management fee and 15% performance fee with high-water mark, target +5% over 3-month SOFR/ESTER, monthly subscription / quarterly redemption with 30-day notice, USD/EUR 1M minimums) with transactional Trade Support Fee spreads. Distribution runs through an investor data portal, a bank referral network for SMEs below USD 300M turnover, and — more recently — tokenized eNote tracker certificates on Obligate (USDC/EURC from USD 100k), the Haycen stablecoin liquidity platform (up to USD 200M capacity), and co-development with the International Chamber of Commerce on the ICC SME TradeFlow Fund and ICC TradeNow platform. TradeFlow is FinTech Certified by the Singapore FinTech Association, a TCFD signatory, a UN Global Compact supporter, and a member of AIMA, BAFT, EuroCham, UAE-SBC and SACCAM; Deloitte audits the funds and Apex Fund Services provides administration. Following a July 2023 management buyout that returned 81% ownership to founders Dr. Tom James and John Collis, the firm has accelerated product tokenization, USDC/EURC settlement, and Africa/UK/Europe distribution expansion through 2026.

Name

TradeFlow Capital Management

Legal name

TradeFlow Capital Management Pte Ltd

Website

https://tradeflow.capital

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Singapore-based institutional asset manager (founded 2016) operating Cayman Segregated Portfolio funds that finance SME bulk-commodity trade via principal ownership, Lloyd's-underwritten risk, and AI/digital trade infrastructure across 18+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Finance / Institutional Asset Management

NAICS

Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523), Other Financial Investment Activities (5239), Commodity Contracts Intermediation (523160)

SIC

Commodity Contracts Brokers & Dealers (6221), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade Finance & Supply Chain Finance Platforms (FSAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Commodity Trade Finance (Soft/Hard Commodities) (FSABAHAI), SME Trade Finance & Working Capital (LCs, Guarantees, Receivables) (FSABABAF)

Keywords

• Asset-backed trade finance
• Commodity trade investing
• SME trade finance
• Institutional trade funds
• Tokenized trade instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Trade Finance Management Fees: Management fee of 1.25% per annum on assets under management across both USD and EUR funds.
2. Performance Fees: 15% performance fee on net new appreciation with high water mark and hurdle rate (5% over 3-month SOFR for USD fund, 5% over 3-month ESTER for EUR fund).
3. Trade Support Fee Spread: Returns come from the trade-fee spread (Trade Support Fee) between fixed purchase price from supplier and fixed sale price to end-buyer, not from price appreciation on underlying assets. Fund takes principal ownership of commodities during shipment/storage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TradeFlow Capital Management operates institutional investment funds (CEMP USD and EUR Trade Flow Fund SPs) that finance SME bulk commodity import-export transactions by taking principal ownership of physical commodities during shipment or storage, supported by a proprietary Risk Transformation Engine combining AI-based counterparty scoring, digital trade documentation (electronic bills of lading), and Lloyd's of London insurance underwriting. The firm generates returns from the trade support fee spread rather than price appreciation, targeting institutional investors with a +5% return over 3-month SOFR/ESTER and offering monthly subscription and quarterly redemption with 90-day liquidity.

Product overview

TradeFlow Capital Management operates two open-ended Cayman segregated portfolio funds (CEMP USD and EUR Trade Flow Funds) as its core products, offering non-credit, non-lending, asset-backed trade finance for SME commodity transactions. The proprietary digital trade infrastructure platform enables rapid counterparty onboarding and transaction processing. The firm has expanded into tokenized fund products via Obligate, allowing digital asset investors to access TradeFlow strategies through eNote tracker certificates. Supporting services include carbon-neutral shipping commitments and AI-driven risk management through the Risk Transformation Engine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CEMP USD Trade Flow Fund SP Cayman Segregated Portfolio investing in pre-booked, USD-denominated, physical commodity trade finance transactions with 90-day maximum tenor. Non-credit, non-lending, asset-backed strategy taking principal ownership of bulk physical commodities during shipment or storage. Targets institutional and accredited investors with minimum USD 1,000,000 subscriptions (then blocks of USD 100,000), 1.25% p.a. management fee, 15% performance fee with HWM, and target return of +5% over 3-month SOFR.
• CEMP Euro Trade Flow Fund SP Cayman Segregated Portfolio investing in pre-booked, EUR-denominated, physical commodity trade finance transactions with 90-day maximum tenor. Non-credit, non-lending, asset-backed strategy taking principal ownership of bulk physical commodities. Targets institutional investors with minimum EUR 1,000,000 subscriptions, 1.25% p.a. management fee, 15% performance fee with HWM, and target return of +5% over 3-month ESTER. Track record of zero down months since inception.
• Digital Trade Infrastructure Platform Proprietary digital platform enabling SME counterparty onboarding in 3-5 business days with full bank-level AML/KYC checks, electronic bill of lading processing (via Bolero International and ICE Digital Trade), transaction management and settlement for commodity trade finance. Built on AWS cloud infrastructure.
• Tokenized eNote Tracker Certificates and On-Chain Bonds Tokenized investment instruments (eNote tracker certificates and short-term bonds) issued via the Obligate on-chain capital markets platform enabling investors to track USD/EUR TradeFlow Fund performance in digital asset form. Investments available in USDC or EURC stablecoin from USD 100,000 via Polygon and Base blockchains, with regulated custody via Zodia and Fireblocks.
• Carbon-Neutral Shipping Service Carbon offset service ensuring all commodity shipping under TradeFlow funds is carbon-neutral through verified Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standard credits, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals and aligning with TCFD and UN Global Compact commitments.

Quantifiable outcome

• US$5+ billion in physical commodity trade facilitated since 2018
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• HaycencoreTechnology or Integration · 9 April 2026Bermuda-regulated stablecoin liquidity and settlement platform for global trade. New capital framework to channel accredited investor liquidity into real-economy trade finance flows. Up to $200 million initial capacity. Integrates Haycen's regulated USD stablecoin-based liquidity with TradeFlow's asset-backed investment framework.
• AgriDex InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Partnership to deploy Loam digital settlement platform for trade finance and digital payments targeting SMEs in Kenya and across Africa. Collaboration aims to reduce settlement delays and improve liquidity for cross-border agricultural and commodity value chain trade.
• ObligatecoreTechnology or Integration · 17 July 2024Leading on-chain capital markets platform. First eNote tracker certificate listed enabling investors to track USD TradeFlow Fund performance in tokenized form. Investments available in USDC from USD 100k minimum. Milestone EURC-denominated bond issued on Base blockchain. Collaboration expanding with potential ESG-themed products linked to Critical Minerals fund.
• TOTTAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2024Trade digitization company founded by Subra Shankhar (TradeFlow Senior Advisor, Africa Trade Partnerships). Focused on securing finances and making trades happen in reality.
• FarmFresh Food Company LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2023First-in-class partnership for carbon credits initiative in Rwanda. Monetizing CO2 abatement through school feeding programme. FarmFresh supplies cooked beans to Kigali schools; TradeFlow develops carbon credit methodology linking to bean deliveries.
• Heads of Schools Organisation Rwanda (HOSO)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2023Local NGO reporting to Rwandan Ministry of Education. Partnership for carbon credits initiative supporting school feeding programme. HOSO promotes shifting schools from cooking over firewood to factory-cooked beans.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2023Co-developing ICC SME TradeFlow Fund and ICC TradeNow platform to mobilize capital and widen SME access to trade finance. Building on 5+ years of success with CEMP TradeFlow funds. TradeFlow is Partner through ICC Trade Now and ICC Digital Trade Standards Initiative.
• Apex Group / Apex Fund ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent global fund administrator providing fund administration, operational oversight and institutional-grade reporting services. Apex Managers provides turnkey fund platform for Cayman Islands fund establishment and operation. Auditors Deloitte conduct specialist audits on all TradeFlow funds.
• DeloittecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBig-four audit firm, audit partners since inception of first funds in April 2018. Conducts specialist audits on all TradeFlow funds.
• Bolero InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal leader in electronic trade finance and first electronic Bills of Lading provider since 2018. Conducted first floating-storage diesel E-BL in Asia in Q4 2018. Provides title documents including electronic bills of lading evidencing principal ownership.
• ICE Digital Trade (formerly essDOCS)coreTechnology or IntegrationPaperless trade-document platform enabling electronic bills of lading and digitized trade workflows. Part of Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE). Provides Bank Payment Obligation Plus (BPO+) combining BPO, eDocs and smart contracts for automated document release and auto-pay for cross-border payments.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud services partner providing on-demand cloud computing infrastructure underpinning the TradeFlow digital platform.
• Zodia CustodycoreTechnology or IntegrationInstitutional digital-asset custody platform backed by Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI, NAB, Emirates NBD. Provides secure custody for tokenized trade-finance instruments under FCA, CBI, CSSF, Hong Kong registrations.
• FireblockscoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital asset infrastructure platform powering tokenization, payment, settlement and trading operations. Supports custody, tokenization, payment, settlement and trading across 100+ blockchains. Secures over $7 trillion in digital-asset transactions. Provides institutional-grade key management and settlement rails.
• Zodia MarketscoreTechnology or IntegrationInstitutional digital-asset brokerage and OTC trading platform. Backed by SC Ventures (Standard Chartered) and OSL Group. Bridges traditional FX and digital markets. Supports 80+ digital assets and 21 fiat currencies. Trading and settlement venue for TradeFlow's tokenized products.
• Singapore Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creating AI-driven solution to address risk and efficiency in international shipping. Applies machine learning to monitor, measure, analyse and predict dynamics around bulk-commodity shipments, helping manage demurrage risk.
• Carbonfund.orgcoreOthersVerified Emission Reductions validated to Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standard. Key climate change initiative partner supporting TradeFlow's carbon-neutral shipping commitment since December 2020.
• AirCarbon Exchange (ACX)coreOthersWorld's first digital exchange focused on eliminating market friction in carbon-constrained economy. Used by TradeFlow to offset CO2 emissions from shipping commodity transactions.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LiquidX: Digital trade-finance and working-capital platform offering receivables, payables, and inventory financing solutions to corporates and banks — comparable SME/commercial trade-finance focus.
• Centrifuge: Tokenized real-world-asset protocol bringing trade receivables and invoice financing on-chain — directly comparable to TradeFlow's eNote/tokenized trade-finance strategy on Polygon/Base.
• Demica: Supply-chain and receivables finance platform serving corporates and banks globally — comparable institutional buyer/supplier trade-finance technology stack.
• Tradeteq: Institutional trade-finance investment and securitization platform that packages trade loans for investors — closely mirrors TradeFlow's asset-management interface over trade-finance assets.
• Incomlend: Singapore-headquartered invoice-financing marketplace serving SMEs, including in commodity and emerging markets — geographic and product overlap with TradeFlow's SME trade-finance focus.
• Marco Polo Network (by TradeIX / komgo): Blockchain-based trade-finance platform connecting banks, corporates, and logistics providers; directly comparable to TradeFlow's digital trade infrastructure and tokenization direction.
• komgo: Commodity-trade blockchain platform consortium of major banks and commodity houses; comparable digitization and digital title-document workflow for cross-border commodity trade.

Emerging players

• Vayana Network: Trade-finance network connecting SMEs, corporates, and financial institutions across emerging markets (notably India) — comparable EM expansion angle to TradeFlow's Africa/India push.
• Obligate: On-chain capital-markets platform used by TradeFlow to issue eNotes and EURC bonds; adjacent and enabling technology partner with overlap in tokenized trade-finance instruments.
• Traydstream: Digital trade-document processing and compliance platform for trade finance — adjacent technology stack relevant to TradeFlow's bill-of-lading and KYC workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/tradeflowm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TradeFlowTV/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tradeflow-capital-management-usa

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TradeFlow Capital Management