The United States may soon have a Bitcoin-only trust company, according to plans disclosed by BitGo and Swan Bitcoin on Sep. 15. The joint venture is pending regulatory approval, the companies said in a statement.
The forthcoming entity will handle similar activities of a trust company, including Bitcoin custody, administration and management on behalf of its beneficiaries. According to Cory Klippsten, CEO of Swan, the solution intends to offer Bitcoin custody without the risks of having other altcoins under the same roof.
“For years, we’ve heard from major clients, partners, and other Bitcoin companies that they would prefer a Bitcoin-only software and services stack that is focused strictly on the best custody that leverages Bitcoin’s unique features,” Klippsten said.
The companies are in contact with state regulators about the plans, but have not yet filed for regulatory approval, Klippsten told Cointelegraph. “We are evaluating acquistion options first,” he disclosed.
As part of our long-term vision to advance Bitcoin adoption, we’re announcing a major step forward for Swan and the entire Bitcoin ecosystem:
BitGo and Swan Announce Plans for USA’s First Bitcoin-Only Trust Company
— Swan Bitcoin Adoption Team (@SwanBitcoin) September 14, 2023
BitGo offers digital assets security and custody, supporting over 30 cryptocurrencies as per its website. In contrast, Swan’s business is fully dedicated to Bitcoin, allowing users to invest in Bitcoin via one-time and recurring purchases, with custody of records held at Fortress Trust and Bakkt, while BitGo acts as a cold storage custodian.
The new venture targets institutional investors, such as asset managers, pension plans, and family offices, along with governments and company treasuries. It will offer cold storage, fraud prevention, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, among other Bitcoin-related services.
Institutional investors in the crypto space are a fast-growing market in the United States, especially as the world’s biggest asset managers seek regulatory approval for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Several large Wall Street players offer cryptocurrency custody solutions to institutional investors, including Bank of New York Mellon and Deutsche Bank.
“We believe there is a high likelihood that several ETFs are approved in 2024 and thus a new round of entrants to the Bitcoin market seeking mature, reputable, technologically proficient partners for a…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Cointelegraph.com News…