Crypto Finance
Zurich custodian inside Deutsche Boerse Group, regulated by FINMA and, through a German subsidiary, BaFin
Quick Overview
| Company | Crypto Finance AG |
|---|---|
| Category | Crypto Custody Providers |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Founded | 2017 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Switzerland, with a German subsidiary (Crypto Finance (Deutschland) GmbH) |
| Data Location | Not stated on pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Yes - self-custody infrastructure on shared or dedicated HSMs |
| Main Features | Institutional custody, sub-custody, self-custody HSM platform, AnchorNote pledging, staking, settlement engine, API, SWIFT and UI access, Clearstream connectivity |
| Pricing | Pricing on request |
| Best For | Banks and intermediaries that outsource client crypto custody |
| Replaces | BitGo, Coinbase Custody |
Detailed Review
Crypto Finance describes itself as part of Deutsche Boerse Group and as a FINMA-regulated financial institution, with a securities firm licence. Crypto Finance (Deutschland) GmbH is the BaFin-regulated subsidiary that holds the MiCAR licence and serves the EU.
The company has worked in digital assets since 2017 and supports banks and other financial intermediaries with custody and with advice on technology, operations, compliance and risk.
Three levels of involvement
A client can outsource custody completely, use Crypto Finance as sub-custodian for a licensed bank, or insource governance on the self-custody platform. The last option runs on shared or dedicated HSMs that the company maintains.
Hardware and attestations
The pages cite FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSMs, SOC 2 Type II certified storage infrastructure, regular penetration tests by independent auditors and insurance cover. A hardware set-up that blocks code injection and never exposes private keys is described as the core of the proprietary solution.
Connected to settlement rails
Access works through API, SWIFT or the web interface, and Clearstream Bank Luxembourg is named as partner. The AnchorNote product lets clients pledge custodied assets, and a proprietary settlement engine is part of the offering.
Limitations to Consider
Two regulators and two entities (Swiss and German) mean the client must check which one signs the contract and which licence covers the service. Pricing is not published. The custody pages state SOC 1 Type 1 ISAE 3402 on one line and SOC 2 Type II on another, so the exact audit scope needs confirming in due diligence. The site does not say where servers are located.
Who Should Use Crypto Finance
Banks, brokers and wealth managers in Europe that want a regulated custodian with exchange-group backing and SWIFT-based access, and that may later insource part of the stack.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- FINMA and BaFin regulated entities
- Deutsche Boerse Group membership
- Custody, sub-custody and self-custody HSM options
- API, SWIFT and UI access
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSMs and SOC 2 Type II storage
Cons
- Two entities and regulators to untangle
- No published pricing
- Audit wording differs between pages
- Data location not stated
Alternatives to Crypto Finance
Other European crypto custody providers worth comparing before you decide:
DFNS
France · Wallet-as-a-service on MPC, SaaS or fully on-premises
Tangany
Germany · BaFin-licensed wallet-as-a-service custody for platforms
Boerse Stuttgart Digital Custody
Germany · Fiduciary crypto custody from a German exchange group
Taurus
Switzerland · Custody software for banks, with keys held by the client
See all European crypto custody providers or compare them directly against BitGo on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crypto Finance AG is regulated by FINMA in Switzerland, and its subsidiary Crypto Finance (Deutschland) GmbH is regulated by BaFin and holds a MiCAR licence, according to the company's site.
Yes, the custody page describes a wallet management platform on shared or dedicated HSM set-ups that the company maintains.
The company states that Crypto Finance Group is part of Deutsche Boerse Group.