Institutional Adoption of APT Staking via BitGo: A New Era of Yield Generation in Crypto

The institutional crypto landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as Layer 1 blockchains like Aptos (APT) gain traction for their ability to deliver both scalability and yield. At the forefront of this transformation is BitGo, whose custody-native staking solution for APT has emerged as a cornerstone for institutional investors seeking secure, high-APY opportunities. By integrating APT staking into its institutional-grade infrastructure, BitGo is not just enabling yield generation-it's redefining how institutions allocate capital in the crypto ecosystem.

The APT Staking Advantage: High APY Meets Institutional-Grade Security

Aptos, a high-throughput blockchain with low transaction fees and a rapidly expanding developer ecosystem, has become a magnet for institutional capital. BitGo's custody-native staking service, launched in December 2025, allows clients to stake APT within a single platform, earning an average annual percentage yield (APY) of 7%. This is a critical development for institutions, which historically avoided staking due to operational complexity and security risks. BitGo's solution eliminates these barriers by embedding staking into existing custody workflows, ensuring that clients retain full control over their assets while leveraging institutional-grade security protocols.

The integration is particularly compelling given the Aptos network's performance in 2025. Delegated stake on the network surged from 37.5% to 47.1% of total stake, while the number of validators expanded to 75, signaling stronger decentralization and network resilience. For institutions, this means staking APT is not just a yield play but also a strategic bet on a blockchain with growing utility and adoption.

BitGo's Infrastructure: A Catalyst for Institutional Confidence

BitGo's role as a custodian and infrastructure provider is pivotal to this narrative. The company now supports 92 of the top 100 digital assets by market capitalization and manages over $90 billion in assets under custody. Its 2025 regulatory advancements-such as securing licenses in Germany and Dubai and pursuing a U.S. national bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)-have further solidified its position as a trusted partner for institutional clients.

The firm's staking infrastructure is equally robust. Nearly half of BitGo's business is now dedicated to staking operations, with total value locked (TVL) peaking at $48 billion. This scale is not accidental; it reflects a deliberate strategy to offer comprehensive services across major Layer 1 networks. By extending this model to APT, BitGo is addressing a critical gap in the market: the need for secure, compliant staking solutions tailored to institutional risk profiles.

Strategic Allocation: Beyond APT to a Broader Ecosystem

The appeal of BitGo's APT staking service extends beyond raw APY. Institutions are increasingly prioritizing strategic allocation-investing in assets that align with long-term network growth. APT's integration with BitGo's custody platform allows clients to participate in the Aptos ecosystem while maintaining alignment with their broader digital-asset strategies. For example, BitGo's support for the Aptos Digital Asset Standard includes custody for stablecoins like USDC and USDT, enabling institutions to hedge risk or rebalance portfolios without exiting the platform.

Moreover, BitGo's partnerships with staking infrastructure providers like EigenCloud and Luganodes demonstrate its commitment to diversifying yield opportunities. While no specific APT staking case studies were identified in the research, EigenCloud's collaboration with BitGo highlights how institutions can layer staking strategies-such as restaking ETH or EIGEN tokens-on top of APT staking to compound returns.

This multiplicative effect is a hallmark of modern institutional crypto strategies, where infrastructure providers like BitGo act as conduits for complex, multi-asset yield generation.

The Bigger Picture: APT Staking as a Macro Trend

The institutional adoption of APT staking via BitGo is part of a larger shift in crypto capital allocation. As traditional asset managers and pension funds enter the space, they demand infrastructure that mirrors the security and compliance of traditional finance. BitGo's custody-native staking model meets this demand by offering a single platform for custody, staking, and reporting-features that were previously fragmented across multiple providers.

This trend is also reshaping the competitive landscape. While early staking adopters focused on Ethereum and Solana, the rise of APT staking underscores the importance of diversification. Institutions are now evaluating Layer 1s not just for technical merits but for their ability to integrate with institutional infrastructure. Aptos' 7% APY, combined with BitGo's security and regulatory compliance, creates a compelling value proposition that could accelerate its adoption in 2026.

Conclusion: A New Era of Yield and Trust

BitGo's APT staking service is more than a product-it's a testament to the maturation of the crypto industry. By bridging the gap between high-yield opportunities and institutional-grade infrastructure, BitGo is empowering clients to allocate capital with confidence in a space that once prioritized speculation over strategy. For investors, this represents a new era where yield generation is no longer a trade-off between risk and reward but a calculated, infrastructure-enabled outcome.

As the Aptos network continues to evolve and BitGo expands its staking capabilities, the institutional crypto market is poised for a phase of disciplined growth. The question is no longer whether institutions will stake digital assets but how quickly they will adopt platforms that combine yield, security, and strategic alignment.