Qualified Custodian — How It Works & Best Providers

Fidelity Digital Assets is the crypto arm of Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers ($14T+ AUM across the firm). Provides institutional custody and trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum, and custodies the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC).

BitGo is one of the largest institutional digital asset custodians, processing approximately 20% of all global Bitcoin transactions. Offers multi-signature wallets, hot and cold storage, and serves over 1,500 institutional clients.

Coinbase Custody is the institutional custody arm of Coinbase, the largest US cryptocurrency exchange. It provides cold storage custody for institutional investors and serves as the custodian for several major Bitcoin ETFs including BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust.

Anchorage Digital is the first federally chartered digital asset bank in the US, granted a national trust bank charter by the OCC. It provides institutional custody, staking, governance, and trading. Trusted by Visa, Samsung, and major institutions.

Gemini Custody is the institutional cold storage solution from Gemini, the Winklevoss twins' cryptocurrency exchange. SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 certified — the first crypto exchange to achieve both. Offers cold storage custody with insurance.

Zodia Custody is backed by Standard Chartered bank and Northern Trust. FCA registered. Provides institutional-grade digital asset custody with the backing of two of the world's largest financial institutions.

Copper provides institutional digital asset custody using MPC technology. Known for ClearLoop — enabling off-exchange trading while assets remain in custody. Serves major institutions globally.

Bakkt is owned by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. Offers institutional-grade Bitcoin custody with traditional financial market expertise. Publicly traded (BKKT).

Komainu is a joint venture between Nomura (Japan's largest investment bank), Ledger, and CoinShares. Combines Nomura's institutional expertise, Ledger's hardware security, and CoinShares' crypto knowledge.

Hex Trust is a fully licensed digital asset custodian focused on the Asia-Pacific region. Licensed in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other APAC jurisdictions. Serves institutions, banks, and fintech companies across Asia.

Fireblocks is primarily a custody technology and infrastructure provider rather than a custodian itself. It provides the MPC-based key management technology that powers many exchanges, fintechs, and custodians. Over 1,800 institutions use Fireblocks infrastructure to secure $6T+ in digital assets.