Why Regulated Crypto Custody Matters

Entrusting assets to unregulated crypto custodians is a gamble, one that too often ends in costly breaches. A quick look at recent news demonstrates that selecting unregulated custodians leads to loss of assets and trust. We have long advocated for the separation of custodial and trading functions to provide the utmost levels of transparency and security. The two priorities our clients ask about: Are my assets safe? Can I access them whenever I want? The answer to both questions is “yes.” Regulated custodians have one job — to keep client’s assets safe.

What is Regulated Custody?

Regulated custodians offer several services that provide extra security:

• Segregated accounts: funds are never commingled or used for other purposes.

• Remoteness from bankruptcy: funds are protected if the custodian experiences financial instability.

• Cold storage: keys are stored offline and away from malicious actors.

• Security technology: multi-signature cold, key sharding, and offline signing.

• Redundant human processes: trust officers review transfers when value thresholds are triggered.

• Insurance: protection against theft, loss, or misuse.

In traditional finance, firms can only call themselves a custodian if they meet rigorous regulatory standards to ensure the safekeeping of client assets. In crypto, custodial services, range from software solutions to fully licensed and regulated cold storage in a class III bank vault like that provided by BitGo Trust.More often than not, crypto participants assume that anyone holding their assets will act in good faith. 2022 taught retail and institutional investors this is only the case when you’ve sought out a regulated custodian. Check out our guide on evaluating a regulated custodian.

Code is Law, Security, and Revolution

Crypto transformed simple lines of code into a worldwide security revolution. No matter how large or small your account balance is, everyone should have the same security tools available to them. The work that needs to be done now is finding the balance between innovation and safety. Our industry has encountered adversity often on this path, but it always brings out the best qualities as we persevere and continue building.We believe that clear regulatory frameworks will advance the upward trajectory of crypto and we will be here to provide trust in digital assets to those that need it.

What BitGo Offers: Transparency & Security

Our mission is to safeguard client funds and bring trust to digital assets.BitGo operates in multiple regulated trust companies in the US and abroad, which serve as qualified custodians. Those entities have a fiduciary responsibility to protect client funds, which are segregated, bankruptcy-remote, and never re-hypothecated.We offer non-custodial hot wallets and custodial cold wallets. All BitGo wallets work on a “2-of-3” basis, meaning they come with three keys (client key, platform key, and backup key), two of which must be used to sign any transaction.We believe this model best serves our clients — and the industry, as well. To learn more about how we operate and our point of view, please reach out to our team.