> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ixs.gitbook.io/ixs-gitbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ixs.gitbook.io/ixs-gitbook/extra-resources-and-guides/faqs.md). # FAQs ### About IXS **What is IXS?** IXS Finance is licensed blockchain infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets, operating as a settlement layer for institutional issuers, allocators, and AI agents, with US institutional access through IXS Finance USA. **Who runs IXS?** Co-founders are Julian Kwan (CEO), Alice Chen (General Counsel), and Aaron Ong, supported by approximately 40 professionals across product, engineering, compliance, and operations. IXS is backed by Coinbase Ventures, UOB Venture Management, and Spartan Group. **How long has IXS been operating?** IXS has built tokenized RWA infrastructure since 2018, pursued regulatory licensing from 2019, and received its Bahamas DARE license in April 2023, completing 60+ tokenization transactions. ### Regulation **Is IXS regulated?** Yes. IXS Finance is licensed under the Bahamas Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act 2024 (the DARE Act 2024), with the license obtained in April 2023. The Securities Commission of The Bahamas supervises the framework. **Can US investors access IXS?** US institutional and accredited investors access IXS products through IXS Finance USA, which operates under a chaperoning arrangement with an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Standard accreditation and KYC verification applies. **What is IXS Finance USA?** The US affiliate of IXS Finance, providing US institutional and accredited investor access to IXS Vaults through a chaperoning arrangement with an SEC-registered broker-dealer. **Does IXS provide investment advice?** No. IXS Finance does not provide investment, legal, tax, or financial advice. The platform handles infrastructure for tokenization and settlement; users make their own investment decisions. ### Products **What are IXS Vaults?** ERC-4626 onchain wrappers for tokenized RWAs. IXS offers four Vault categories: BTC Real Yield, Corporate Bonds, Open-Ended Vaults (daily liquidity), and Vaults for Agents. All accept USDC, USDT, and additional stablecoins across supported chains. **What's the difference between permissioned and permissionless Vaults?** Permissioned Vaults serve institutional and accredited investors with KYC/AML and custody controls. Permissionless Vaults are open-access under the ERC-4626 standard with no protocol-layer KYC, built for agents and developers. **What is IXS BTC Real Yield?** Generates yield in stablecoins on tokenized BTC-backed instruments, without requiring the holder to sell BTC. Yield derives from regulated fixed-income RWA structures, settled in USDC/USDT. Current range: 4–12% APY. **What is Union Chain?** Union Chain is a next-generation RWA Layer 2 blockchain powered by ZKsync, designed to seamlessly integrate regulated CEXs with licensed RWA tokenization platforms, supporting compliant issuance, distribution, and trading of tokenized treasuries, private equity, real estate, and commodities. ### Institutions **Who can access Permissioned Vaults?** Institutional asset managers, fund operators, regulated issuers, and qualified asset originators, alongside allocators, family offices, and distribution partners (broker-dealers, RIAs, fintechs, neobanks) meeting KYC/AML and accreditation requirements. **How do distribution partners integrate?** IXS provides B2B regulatory infrastructure for tokenized RWA distribution, used by broker-dealers, RIAs, fintechs, and neobanks. US partnerships operate through IXS Finance USA. **Who custodies the underlying assets?** Custody is provided by regulated institutional custodians under bankruptcy-remote segregation, including BitGo and First Digital Trust, with scope disclosed per product. **How long does institutional onboarding take?** A first tokenization fit review typically takes one to two weeks; full onboarding to live issuance can range from three to twelve months, based on legal, compliance, custody, and operational factors. ### AI Agents **Can AI agents use IXS Vaults?** Yes, through IXS Agent Rail. Autonomous agents access IXS Vaults with deposit, redemption, and reporting functions exposed as documented API endpoints, under the same regulatory perimeter as institutional counterparties. **What is IXS Agent Rail?** The access infrastructure connecting autonomous AI agents to IXS Vaults, exposing deposit, redemption, and position-reporting functions for the same regulated Vaults available to institutional counterparties. **Do agents need KYC?** Permissionless Vaults accessed via Agent Rail carry no KYC requirement at the protocol layer. **Which stablecoins can agents deposit?** USDC, USDT, and additional supported stablecoins, across supported EVM chains. ### Token **What is the $IXS token?** The native asset of the IXS ecosystem. Contract address (Ethereum): 0x73d7c860998ca3c01ce8c808f5577d94d545d1b4. **Do I need to hold IXS tokens to use the platform?** No. Standard deposit and redemption in IXS Vaults does not require IXS token holding. Advanced functions and governance participation may involve tokens. **Where can I buy the IXS token?** The token trades on supported decentralized and centralized venues — see current listings on the Exchanges page. ### Working with IXS **Does IXS work with retail investors?** IXS Vaults target institutional issuers, allocators, accredited investors, distribution partners, and qualified agents. The $IXS token trades separately on public crypto markets, where retail participants can engage subject to local regulations. Vault access and token holding are distinct offerings. **What should I include in an initial inquiry?** Your role (asset manager, issuer, family office, broker-dealer, RIA, fintech, neobank, agent operator, custodian, etc.), jurisdiction, asset class or use case, approximate size, timeline, and whether an NDA is needed before discussing sensitive details. **How do I start a conversation with IXS?** Submit an inquiry through ixs.finance/contact. The team responds within five business days.