Global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 technology company OKX has announced a strategic partnership with regulated digital asset custodian Komainu. This collaboration integrates OKX with Komainu Connect, a collateral management platform, enabling institutional clients to trade assets held in segregated custody securely, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Advancing Institutional Crypto Trading and Custody
This partnership addresses a critical need in the institutional digital asset space: the ability to trade securely without moving assets out of cold storage. By connecting OKX's trading platform directly to Komainu's regulated custody infrastructure, institutions can now respond to market opportunities instantly while their assets remain safely custodied.
The integration is a significant step forward for large-scale crypto traders utilizing OKX's portfolio margin accounts and liquidity markets. It provides advanced over-the-counter (OTC) settlement and a tri-party mirroring solution, enhancing both security and operational efficiency.
Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration
Nicolas Bertrand, CEO of Komainu, stated, "Our mission is to provide secure and compliant digital asset custody solutions. Partnering with OKX, a renowned leader among cryptocurrency exchanges, marks an important milestone. Combining our institutional custody expertise is paving the way for a new era of trust and innovation in the industry."
Sebastian Widmann, Head of Strategy at Komainu, added, "Komainu Connect is rapidly establishing itself as a leading collateral management solution. This collaboration with one of the world's largest crypto exchanges is a testament to our capabilities, with our focus remaining on creating seamless connectivity between all parties."
Lennix Lai, Global Chief Commercial Officer at OKX, commented, "Providing investors with secure asset custody solutions is paramount, which is why we are thrilled to partner with Komainu. Institutions seek peace of mind; they need to know their funds are safely held by a leading custodian while still being able to capitalize on investment opportunities as they arise."
Understanding Komainu: A Regulated Custody Provider
Komainu is a regulated virtual asset custody company established in 2018 as a joint venture by global investment bank Nomura, digital asset manager CoinShares, and hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger. It officially launched in June 2020 with the goal of merging traditional financial services with leading security standards.
The company provides secure and compliant custody services for trading platforms, financial institutions, asset managers, corporations, and government agencies. Headquartered in Jersey, Komainu maintains offices in London, Dublin, Dubai, and Singapore. It is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
The Komainu Connect Platform
Launched by Komainu in April 2023, Komainu Connect is a collateral management platform designed to eliminate the requirement for traders to pre-fund assets with their trading counterparties. Instead, assets remain securely custodied with Komainu, significantly reducing counterparty risk for clients while enabling real-time, secure trading.
This infrastructure allows for the efficient and secure movement of collateral, providing a trusted foundation for institutional activity in the digital asset ecosystem. 👉 Explore secure trading infrastructure for institutions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main benefit of the OKX and Komainu partnership for institutional traders?
The primary benefit is the ability to trade assets 24/7 without withdrawing them from secure, segregated custody. This drastically reduces counterparty risk and operational friction, allowing institutions to seize market opportunities instantly while their assets remain protected by a regulated custodian.
How does Komainu Connect work?
Komainu Connect acts as a collateral management platform. It connects a custodian (Komainu) with trading venues (like OKX). When a trade is executed on the exchange, the platform facilitates the secure and instantaneous movement of the custodied assets for settlement, all without the assets ever leaving the safeguarded custody environment.
What type of assets does this service support?
This service is designed for virtual assets or cryptocurrencies held under institutional-grade custody. The specific assets supported would be those available for trading on OKX and approved for custody within the Komainu framework.
Is Komainu a regulated entity?
Yes, Komainu is a regulated virtual asset custodian. It is supervised by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), adhering to strict compliance and security standards expected in traditional finance.
Who is the target audience for this integrated solution?
This solution is tailored for institutional clients, including hedge funds, asset managers, family offices, corporations, and other large-scale traders who prioritize security, compliance, and operational efficiency in their digital asset activities.
Does this partnership affect individual retail traders on OKX?
While the underlying security and infrastructure improvements benefit the entire platform, the direct integration of Komainu Connect is specifically designed for institutional-grade services and clients utilizing segregated custody accounts and portfolio margin products.
This partnership underscores a growing trend of integrating traditional finance's rigorous custody standards with the innovation of the crypto trading world, providing a more secure and efficient framework for institutional adoption. 👉 Learn more about advanced institutional trading solutions