Institutional Investors Get Secure, Capital-Efficient Crypto Trading Without Leaving Custody

Crypto Finance, a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse Group, has introduced Crypto Finance AnchorNote, a custody-native pledging solution designed to enhance capital efficiency and trading flexibility for institutional clients. The product enables off-exchange settlement and yield generation without requiring assets to leave their custody environment. AnchorNote is integrated with BridgePort, a middleware service provider, allowing clients to trade on multiple venues simultaneously without moving assets out of custody. This approach eliminates the need for pre-funding and enables immediate access to liquidity across platforms.

The new solution is part of a broader trend in the cryptocurrency custody industry, where providers are increasingly offering sophisticated services to meet the evolving needs of institutional investors. According to industry experts, the demand for custody solutions has grown from simple storage offerings to a comprehensive suite of services that include settlement, compliance, and risk management. This evolution is particularly evident in the rise of off-exchange settlement platforms, which help institutions manage assets more efficiently while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Crypto Finance AnchorNote operates as an end-to-end infrastructure that supports both a user-friendly interface and API integration, enabling clients to reallocate collateral among different venues quickly. The service allows institutional traders to pledge assets without moving them out of secure custody, which is a critical feature for maintaining asset security while optimizing capital usage. BridgePort, as the middleware layer, facilitates communication between exchanges and custodians, ensuring seamless off-exchange settlement.

The launch of AnchorNote reflects the ongoing innovation in the digital asset custody space, particularly in response to the growing demand for capital-efficient solutions. In a press release, Philipp E. Dettwiler, Head of Custody and Settlement at Crypto Finance, emphasized that AnchorNote bridges the gap between custody and capital efficiency, offering institutional clients a secure and flexible trading environment. The service is initially rolling out in Switzerland, with plans to expand across Europe.

This development aligns with broader market trends, where institutional-grade custody providers are increasingly integrating advanced technologies to support a range of financial services. For example, Coinbase has partnered with Copper to offer off-exchange settlement for institutional clients, and Sygnum has collaborated with Deribit to provide off-exchange custody solutions. These initiatives highlight the growing recognition of the need for more sophisticated infrastructure that supports both trading and custody requirements.

The regulatory landscape is also playing a significant role in shaping the evolution of custody solutions. In the United States, the regulatory framework remains fragmented, with oversight shared among the SEC, CFTC, and state regulators. In contrast, the European Union has adopted a more harmonized approach through the MiCA regulation, which provides a unified framework for crypto-asset regulation across all 27 EU member states. This regulatory clarity has made Europe an attractive market for institutional players seeking stable and predictable conditions for operating.

For global citizens and institutional investors, the selection of a custody solution is becoming a strategic decision that balances security, compliance, and operational efficiency. The introduction of products like Crypto Finance AnchorNote underscores the industry's shift toward integrated solutions that address the complex needs of institutional clients. As the market continues to evolve, the demand for custody-native products that support both traditional and digital asset strategies is expected to grow, further solidifying the role of regulated custodians in the financial ecosystem.