In today's interconnected world, wealth isn't confined to a single jurisdiction. As citizens diversify their residency options and passport portfolios, crypto citizenship has emerged as a strategic avenue, one where securing digital assets becomes a fundamental consideration in any long-term mobility plan.
With cryptocurrency adoption accelerating worldwide, choosing the right custodian isn't just about security—it's about maintaining sovereign control of your assets regardless of where you call home.
The year 2026 brings a maturing landscape of crypto custody options. Whether you're securing Bitcoin for your citizenship-by-investment application, managing a multi-jurisdictional family office, or simply protecting your digital wealth as you navigate international waters, this guide will help you navigate the evolving ecosystem of crypto custody solutions.
The Evolution of Crypto Custody
The days of keeping private keys on paper wallets or insecure exchanges are long behind us. By 2026, crypto custody has matured into a sophisticated financial service with institutional-grade security, comprehensive insurance coverage, and regulatory clarity in most major jurisdictions.
This evolution comes at a crucial time for global citizens. As more countries recognize crypto assets in wealth verification for residency programs and citizenship applications, having properly documented, secure custody becomes essential. The gold standard has shifted from "being your own bank" to utilizing solutions that combine security with legitimacy in the eyes of immigration authorities, traditional banks, and tax agencies worldwide.
"Today's high-net-worth global citizens need custody solutions that work seamlessly across borders while providing the documentation governments require," explains a wealth advisor specializing in citizenship planning. "The right custodian can make the difference between smooth sailing and significant headaches when relocating or applying for economic citizenship programs."
Understanding Custody Models
Before diving into specific providers, it's important to understand the fundamental approaches to crypto custody available in 2025:
Qualified Custodians
These are regulated financial institutions authorized to hold assets on clients' behalf. They typically hold trust charters or banking licenses and must meet strict regulatory requirements for capital reserves, security protocols, and client asset protection. For global citizens, qualified custodians offer crucial legitimacy when dealing with immigration authorities or financial institutions across multiple jurisdictions.
These empower users to maintain control of their private keys while providing tools for secure management. Modern self-custody isn't about going it alone but using sophisticated technology to maintain sovereignty over your assets. For privacy-focused global citizens, these solutions can provide additional protection from overreaching jurisdictions.
Collaborative Custody
This hybrid approach splits control between the client and service provider, often using multi-signature technology. It combines the security benefits of self-custody with professional support and legitimacy that can help satisfy financial institutions' requirements when applying for mortgages or banking services in new jurisdictions.
Banking Custodians
Traditional financial institutions that have expanded into crypto custody, offering integration with conventional banking services. These are especially valuable for global citizens who need to demonstrate wealth to immigration authorities or move between fiat and crypto assets when changing residency. If you're interested in this category, these are the best crypto-friendly banks in our opinion.
Top Regulated Institutional Custodians
For those who prioritize regulatory compliance, institutional backing, and seamless integration with traditional finance, these top-tier qualified custodians lead the field in 2025:
1. Anchorage Digital (United States)
Regulatory Status: The first federally chartered digital asset bank in the US, operating under Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) supervision.
Security & Insurance: Utilizes hardware-enforced isolation with multi-party computation (MPC) technology, comprehensive insurance coverage, and undergoes regular SOC audits.
Global Citizen Advantage: Anchorage's federal charter provides exceptional legitimacy when demonstrating crypto holdings to U.S. immigration services or financial institutions. While its regulatory status has attracted institutional clients like BlackRock, Anchorage's appeal for global citizens lies in its documentation capabilities and federal backing.
Considerations: While extremely secure, Anchorage has faced heightened regulatory scrutiny, including AML compliance reviews. This intensive oversight is both a strength (legitimacy) and consideration (potential administrative hurdles) for international clients.
2. Coinbase Custody (United States)
Regulatory Status: Operates via a New York State-chartered trust company, making it a qualified custodian under NY banking law with fiduciary responsibilities.
Security & Insurance: Military-grade cold storage combined with secure hot wallets, one of the industry's largest commercial crime insurance policies, and segregated client assets.
Global Citizen Advantage: Coinbase's public company status (NASDAQ: COIN) and comprehensive documentation make it ideal for demonstrating crypto wealth when applying for investor visas or financial services abroad. Its brand recognition works in your favor when dealing with less crypto-savvy immigration officials.
Considerations: As a U.S. entity subject to American regulations, Coinbase Custody must comply with all reporting requirements, which may impact clients seeking greater privacy in their global asset strategy.
3. BitGo Trust Company (United States)
Regulatory Status: State-chartered qualified custodian (South Dakota trust charter) with additional operations in Europe under German regulatory oversight.
Security & Insurance: 100% cold storage using multi-signature technology, industry-leading $250 million insurance policy (expandable to $700 million), and bankruptcy-remote structure for client assets.
Global Citizen Advantage: BitGo's dual US-European regulatory structure makes it particularly valuable for global citizens with presence on both continents. Its cold storage approach with substantial insurance provides strong protection for wealth that needs to cross borders.
Considerations: While excellent for Bitcoin holders, global citizens with diverse crypto portfolios should verify support for all their assets before committing.
4. Gemini Custody (United States)
Regulatory Status: New York State-chartered trust company with strong regulatory compliance history and global operations.
Security & Insurance: "Cold storage first" approach with air-gapped systems, extensive insurance coverage, and a perfect security record with no breaches.
Global Citizen Advantage: Gemini's partnerships with European banking institutions make it an excellent bridge between traditional and crypto finance for those establishing presence in multiple regions. Its emphasis on compliance and transparency works well for high-value immigration applications.
Considerations: Gemini's strong compliance focus means extensive KYC requirements, which some privacy-focused global citizens might find restrictive.
5. Fidelity Digital Assets (United States)
Regulatory Status: Subsidiary of Fidelity Investments operating through a New York State trust charter with the institutional backing of a $10+ trillion AUM financial giant.
Security & Insurance: Institutional-grade cold storage with on-chain segregation of client assets, comprehensive insurance through Lloyd's of London, and Fidelity's decades of custody expertise.
Global Citizen Advantage: Fidelity's traditional finance pedigree provides unmatched legitimacy when verifying crypto holdings for wealth-based visa programs or securing financial services in conservative jurisdictions that might be skeptical of crypto assets.
Considerations: Focuses primarily on institutional clients with significant minimum requirements, making it best suited for high-net-worth global citizens or family offices.
Self-Custody and Collaborative Solutions
For global citizens who prioritize sovereignty, privacy, and direct control of their assets while still maintaining security, these leading self-custody and collaborative custody solutions offer compelling alternatives:
1. Unchained Capital (United States)
Approach: Collaborative custody using 2-of-3 multisignature technology where the client holds two keys and Unchained holds one as a co-signer.
Security & Partnership: Unchained partners with qualified custodian Kingdom Trust for certain accounts, combining self-custody benefits with institutional backing. This dual approach helps satisfy both personal control and regulatory requirements.
Global Citizen Advantage: Unchained's model provides exceptional protection when crossing borders—you maintain control of your assets even if temporarily losing access to Unchained's services. Its collaborative approach is ideal for those who want to maintain sovereignty while having professional backup.
Considerations: No direct insurance on client assets (since clients hold keys), though the multi-signature approach itself provides significant protection against theft or loss.
2. Casa (United States)
Approach: Privacy-first key management service offering multisig setups (3-of-5 or 2-of-3) where Casa holds just one key and the client maintains the others.
Security & Features: Built-in inheritance planning, no KYC requirements for standard service, and specialized security for high-profile clients at risk of targeted attacks.
Global Citizen Advantage: Casa's privacy focus makes it ideal for those concerned about data sharing between jurisdictions. Its inheritance features work across borders, solving a critical problem for global families. The geographically distributed key model aligns perfectly with a multi-jurisdiction lifestyle.
Considerations: Requires a hands-on approach and commitment to security best practices—not ideal for passive investors who prefer to outsource all security considerations.
3. AnchorWatch (United States)
Approach: Innovative hybrid offering "insured self-custody" through a distributed custody model backed by Lloyd's of London insurance policies.
Security & Insurance: Utilizes Bitcoin smart contracts with multiple spending conditions and time-locks, protected by insurance policies of up to $100 million per client covering theft, loss, coercion, and key destruction.
Global Citizen Advantage: AnchorWatch's insurance model solves a critical gap for wealthy individuals establishing residency abroad—providing documentation of insured digital assets that immigration authorities can understand. The insurance covers even physical threats ("$5 wrench attacks"), which is valuable for those in higher-risk jurisdictions.
Considerations: As a newer entrant (launched December 2024), AnchorWatch lacks the long-term track record of some competitors but has the advantage of Lloyd's backing.
4. Hardware-Based Self-Custody
Approach: Using dedicated hardware devices like Ledger, Trezor, or Coldcard to store private keys offline while maintaining complete control.
Security Considerations: Requires proper backup procedures, physical security for both devices and recovery phrases, and ideally a multi-device approach to prevent single points of failure.
Global Citizen Advantage: Provides the ultimate in border-crossing portability—your entire wealth can move with you on a small device or even memorized seed phrase. No third-party can freeze your assets or prevent access based on jurisdictional changes.
Considerations: Lacks the documentation benefits of regulated custodians, which can complicate wealth verification for residency applications or financial services. Requires significant personal responsibility and security expertise.
Banking Custodians for Global Citizens
For those seeking seamless integration with traditional finance across multiple jurisdictions, these banking institutions offering crypto custody present compelling advantages:
1. Sygnum Bank (Switzerland/Singapore)
Regulatory Status: World's first digital asset bank with a full Swiss banking license from FINMA, plus Capital Markets Services license in Singapore, and operations in Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg.
Security & Assurance: Multi-custody platform with hardware security modules, geographic distribution, and ISAE 3402 Type 2 certification from PwC. Assets held off-balance-sheet with bankruptcy protection.
Global Citizen Advantage: Sygnum's multi-jurisdictional presence across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East makes it ideal for global citizens with connections to these regions. Its full banking status simplifies wealth verification for residency programs while providing traditional banking services alongside crypto custody.
Considerations: Primarily serves institutional and professional investors with significant minimum requirements. Limited insurance specifically for crypto assets (though fiat is protected by Swiss deposit insurance).
2. Xapo Bank (Gibraltar)
Regulatory Status: World's first Bitcoin bank with a full banking license in Gibraltar.
Security & Assurance: MCP technology and military bunkers.
Global Citizen Advantage: Great exchange rate when paying with foreign currencies and ease of moving money through their partnership with Lightspark.
Considerations: Primarily serves high-net-worth bitcoiners with a $1,000 annual membership fee.
3. Bank Frick (Liechtenstein)
Regulatory Status: Fully licensed bank in Liechtenstein with specific licenses under the country's pioneering Blockchain Act as a Token Custodian, Token Issuer, and Identity Service Provider.
Security & Approach: HSM-based custody with crime insurance, assets held in cold storage with direct settlement from vaults to minimize exposure.
Global Citizen Advantage: Liechtenstein's EEA membership combined with crypto-progressive regulations makes Bank Frick a strategic choice for European residency planning. The bank's experience working with crypto businesses makes it adaptable to unique cross-border needs.
Considerations: Trading is only available during standard banking hours, which may not suit active traders needing 24/7 access.
3. BNY Mellon Digital (United States)
Regulatory Status: America's oldest bank, now offering regulated crypto custody under its banking charter with full compliance with U.S. banking regulations.
Security & Approach: MPC-based platform integrating Fireblocks technology with bank-grade compliance monitoring by Chainalysis. Leverages BNY's extensive risk insurance and banking infrastructure.
Global Citizen Advantage: BNY Mellon's centuries-old reputation provides unmatched credibility when verifying crypto holdings for conservative institutions or government agencies. Its integrated approach allows crypto to be viewed alongside traditional assets in a unified wealth picture.
Considerations: Services primarily available to institutional clients and through select large asset managers, limiting direct access for individuals.
4. Zodia Custody (United Kingdom/Singapore)
Regulatory Status: UK FCA-registered crypto business backed by Standard Chartered and Northern Trust, with additional presence in Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
Security & Coverage: Bank-grade custody platform utilizing multi-signature and MPC technology, comprehensive crime and cyber insurance backed by top insurers.
Global Citizen Advantage: Zodia's backing by Standard Chartered provides natural synergy for global citizens already banking with this international institution. Its multi-jurisdiction presence makes it particularly valuable for those with connections to both the UK and Asia.
Considerations: Available only to accredited investors and institutions, with a focus on professional rather than retail clients.
Crypto Custody Comparison (2025)
Custodian
Jurisdiction
Regulatory Status
Insurance
Global Mobility Features
Best For
Anchorage Digital
United States
OCC-chartered national trust bank
Comprehensive (exact limit undisclosed)
Federal documentation for immigration verification
Multi-jurisdiction licensing; support for 800+ assets
Cross-border asset protection with regulatory coverage
Key Considerations for International Citizens:
Jurisdictional Exposure: Consider how the custodian's regulatory jurisdiction aligns with your citizenship and residency strategy.
Documentation Quality: Assess whether the custodian provides the verification documentation needed for immigration processes or financial applications.
Cross-Border Accessibility: Evaluate how easily you can access and control assets when changing jurisdictions or traveling.
Banking Integration: For wealth verification purposes, custodians with banking relationships often provide smoother pathways for residency applications.
Inheritance Planning: Cross-border estate planning is crucial—some custodians offer specific tools for succession across jurisdictions.
Insurance Coverage: Understand what events are covered (theft, loss, physical coercion) and whether coverage extends across all jurisdictions where you operate.
Privacy Considerations: Balance regulatory compliance with personal privacy needs based on your specific global situation.
Optimal Custody Matrix for Different Global Citizen Profiles:
The Digital Nomad: Collaborative custody solution (60%) + Hardware self-custody (40%)
The Multi-Generational Family Office: Multi-jurisdictional approach using 3+ custodians spanning different regulatory regions
The Privacy-Focused Individual: Insured self-custody (70%) + Regulated custody for verification purposes (30%)
Jurisdictional Considerations
When selecting a crypto custodian as a global citizen, the jurisdictional implications can be as important as the security features. Here's what to consider:
United States Custodians
Advantages: Highest regulatory clarity and institutional adoption. Detailed documentation that most global banks and immigration authorities readily accept. Strong legal protections for client assets.
Considerations: Subject to U.S. reporting requirements and potential asset freezes. Clients from sanctioned countries may face restrictions. Some U.S. custodians have limited international service availability.
Swiss & Liechtenstein Custodians
Advantages: Strong privacy protections combined with respected regulatory frameworks. Neutral political stance minimizes geopolitical risks. Integration with private banking services ideal for wealth planning.
Considerations: Generally higher minimum requirements and service costs. May require in-person onboarding for certain service levels.
Singapore Custodians
Advantages: Positioned at the nexus of Asian and Western financial systems. Progressive regulatory approach to digital assets with clear licensing frameworks. Strategic location for those with business interests across Asia.
Considerations: Regulatory environment continues to evolve with potential changes to compliance requirements.
Multi-Jurisdictional Approach
Many sophisticated global citizens opt for custody diversification across jurisdictions. This might involve:
Primary holdings with a U.S. qualified custodian for legitimacy
Significant portion with a Swiss banking custodian for privacy and neutral jurisdiction
Active trading portion with a Singapore-based provider for Asian market access
Emergency reserve in self-custody solutions for sovereign control
This approach minimizes jurisdiction-specific risks while optimizing for different aspects of your global citizenship strategy.
Selecting the Right Custodian for Your Global Lifestyle
The optimal custody solution depends greatly on your specific citizenship strategy and global profile. Here are recommendations for different scenarios:
Fidelity Digital Assets: Its traditional finance heritage provides unmatched credibility for immigration officials
Coinbase Custody: Public company status and name recognition simplify wealth verification
Sygnum Bank: Banking relationship helps establish financial presence in Switzerland or Singapore
Implementation Strategy: Work with your immigration advisor to understand the specific documentation required for your target citizenship program, then ensure your chosen custodian can provide the necessary attestations and proof of funds.
Casa: Privacy-focused approach with geographically distributed keys
BitGo: Multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance with strong cold storage protection
Self-custody hardware solutions: Maximum portability and sovereignty
Implementation Strategy: Create redundancy in both your key management and custodial relationships to ensure access regardless of your current location or travel restrictions.
For the Multi-Generational Family Office
Priorities: Inheritance planning, jurisdictional diversification, integration with broader wealth structure
Recommended Options:
Anchorage Digital: Institutional-grade security with legacy planning features
Bank Frick: Traditional banking integration with crypto custody in a stable jurisdiction
Unchained Capital (with Kingdom Trust): Collaborative custody with qualified custodian involvement for regulatory clarity
Implementation Strategy: Develop a custody matrix that aligns different family members, asset classes, and jurisdictions with appropriate custodians, creating both diversity and redundancy.
For the Privacy-Focused Individual
Priorities: Minimal personal information sharing, sovereign control, resistance to censorship
Recommended Options:
AnchorWatch: Insured self-custody without compromising control
Casa: No-KYC options with strong privacy protection
Hardware wallet self-custody: Complete control with no third-party dependencies
Implementation Strategy: Layer your approach with different solutions for different needs—perhaps using a regulated custodian for a portion of holdings that require verification while maintaining private self-custody for the remainder.
Future Trends in Crypto Custody
As we look beyond 2026, several trends are shaping the future of crypto custody for global citizens:
Regulatory Harmonization
The fragmentation of crypto custody regulation is gradually giving way to more standardized international frameworks. Bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are driving convergence in how custodians are regulated across borders, potentially simplifying the multi-jurisdiction complexity for global citizens.
Inheritance-Focused Solutions
As the first generation of crypto wealth holders ages, custody solutions are increasingly addressing cross-border inheritance challenges. Smart contract-based inheritance, multi-signature arrangements with time locks, and jurisdiction-specific estate planning tools are becoming standard features.
Insurance Evolution
The insurance market for crypto assets continues to mature, with more comprehensive coverage at lower premiums. Specialized insurance for self-custody and collaborative models is expanding, giving global citizens more options for protecting assets regardless of custody method.
Decentralized Identity Integration
Custodians are beginning to integrate with decentralized identity solutions, potentially streamlining KYC across jurisdictions while enhancing privacy. This could significantly reduce the administrative burden for global citizens managing assets across multiple countries.
Sovereign Custody Networks
Nations are exploring sovereign digital asset custody networks—secure infrastructure operating under specific jurisdictional rules. These could offer global citizens new options for aligning custody with their passport and residency strategies.
Conclusion
The maturation of crypto custody solutions by 2025 represents a significant advancement for global citizens managing digital assets across borders. From federally chartered banks to innovative self-custody platforms with insurance, the options available today combine security, legitimacy, and flexibility in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
For anyone navigating multiple jurisdictions—whether pursuing citizenship-by-investment, maintaining multiple residencies, or simply diversifying sovereign risk—thoughtful custody selection is as strategic as passport selection itself. Your digital assets deserve protection that maintains both security and accessibility regardless of where your global journey takes you.
The best custody solution isn't universal but deeply personal, reflecting your unique combination of jurisdictional presence, privacy needs, wealth verification requirements, and security priorities. By carefully mapping these needs to the strengths of different custody providers, you can create a resilient system that supports rather than constrains your global mobility.
In a world where both opportunity and uncertainty know no borders, proper crypto custody provides the foundation for true financial sovereignty—the ability to access and control your digital wealth wherever you go, whatever citizenship you hold, and whatever the future may bring.
Gemini Custody
United States
NY-chartered trust company
$200M cold storage; $90M hot wallet
Bank partner network spanning EU/UK/Asia
Conservative wealth verification needs
Fidelity Digital Assets
United States
NY-chartered limited trust
Insured cold storage (details private)
Traditional finance integration; global institutional recognition
High-net-worth immigration applicants needing traditional credentials
Unchained Capital
United States
FinCEN-registered MSB; state MTLs
Client self-insurance (collaborative custody)
Client holds 2 of 3 keys for cross-border sovereignty
Those valuing control while traveling internationally
