Bitcoin News Today: Institutions Gain Secure, Scalable Crypto Access via VerifiedX-Crypto.com $1.5B Pact

VerifiedX, a decentralized Layer 1 network and Bitcoin sidechain, has expanded its collaboration with Crypto.com to provide institutional-grade custody and over-the-counter (OTC) trading services for $1.5 billion in digital assets, marking a significant step in scaling its infrastructure for institutional clients. The partnership, announced in late November 2025, builds on an earlier integration of Crypto.com's payment solutions into VerifiedX's Switchblade Wallets, aiming to streamline access to crypto markets while enhancing security and liquidity for institutional investors.

Under the agreement, eligible institutions using VerifiedX's network can now leverage Crypto.com's custody platform to store, manage, and transact digital currencies. The custody service includes multi-user permissions, customizable governance workflows, and insured storage solutions, addressing growing demand for scalable, cost-efficient, and compliant blockchain infrastructure. Crypto.com's OTC trading capabilities further enable deeper liquidity, allowing large transactions to be executed without market disruption. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, emphasized that the platform is "specifically designed with expectations of institutional-grade clients," highlighting the partnership's alignment with industry needs.

VerifiedX, which rebranded from ReserveBlock, positions itself as a "people's network" and functions as both a universal Layer 1 and a Bitcoin-specific sidechain. The network allows users to mint Verified Bitcoin Tokens (vBTC) with a 1:1 self-custodial peg to Bitcoin, offering a blend of security and usability. The VerifiedX Foundation stated that the partnership with Crypto.com "significantly elevates" its mission to make custody "seamless, secure, and globally accessible," reinforcing its commitment to providing institutions with a "safe, most scalable path to interact with digital assets".

The collaboration also extends to payment solutions, with Crypto.com Pay already integrated into VerifiedX's wallets, enabling users to purchase cryptocurrencies and transact with merchants and decentralized applications (DApps) using fiat currency. This layered approach-combining custody, liquidity, and payment tools- aims to reduce friction for both retail and institutional users while addressing concerns about hacks, asset freezes, and operational complexity.

Market reactions have been positive, with VerifiedX's native token, VFX, surging nearly 70% following the partnership announcement. Analysts suggest that the integration of institutional-grade services could attract a new wave of investors, bolstering liquidity and stability in the broader decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. The partnership also underscores the growing importance of regulatory compliance and security in crypto infrastructure, as institutional demand for trusted custody solutions continues to rise.