Anchorage Digital, operator of the United States’ first federally chartered cryptocurrency bank, has been chosen by 3iQ as its primary partner for custody and broader infrastructure needs supporting the Canadian investment firm’s suite of digital asset products. The collaboration marks another step forward in institutional adoption of regulated digital asset solutions.
Under the agreement—pending necessary regulatory clearances and updates to offering documents—3iQ plans to transfer a substantial share of assets under management from six of its exchange-traded products (ETPs) listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange to Anchorage Digital’s platform.
This transition highlights the rising preference among asset managers for sophisticated, compliant systems that can handle large-scale digital asset operations with enhanced security and efficiency.
3iQ, recognized as a key player in digital asset management, manages a range of publicly traded vehicles focused on cryptocurrencies.
The move to Anchorage is expected to bolster operational resilience, improve security protocols, and offer more strategic flexibility as the firm grows its lineup of investment options.
A key feature of Anchorage Digital’s offering is its technical setup. The company employs a low-latency cold storage system that supports trade settlements directly from secure offline environments, minimizing reliance on hot wallets and thereby reducing risk exposure across the entire asset lifecycle.
Complementing this is the Atlas settlement network, which facilitates straight-through processing with counterparties and removes the need for intermediate wallets.
These support better capital efficiency while upholding rigorous investor safeguards—qualities increasingly demanded in the evolving digital asset space.
The partnership also aligns with a wider industry trend toward consolidated platforms that integrate custody, settlement, staking, trading functionalities.
For 3iQ, this unified approach is anticipated to simplify workflows, strengthen protections, and enable expansion of its offerings, including enhanced staking features.
Regulatory credibility played a central role in the selection process.
Anchorage Digital Bank N.A. holds a federal charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), providing a level of oversight and compliance that resonates with institutional standards.
As digital asset strategies mature, managers like 3iQ are prioritizing partners that bridge the gap between traditional finance rigor and crypto innovation.
“Asset managers seek more than mere access to digital assets; they need robust infrastructure they can rely on for growth,” said Nathan McCauley, Co-Founder and CEO of Anchorage Digital.
“This collab underscores the move toward regulated, all-in-one platforms capable of powering large-scale institutional programs.”
Tommaso Mancuso, President and Chief Investment Officer at 3iQ, said:
“In scaling our platform and broadening our offerings, partnering with providers that uphold top-tier standards in security, adaptability, and regulatory compliance is essential. Anchorage Digital combines technical know-how with regulated systems, helping boost efficiency and prepare for future development.”
Founded in back 2012, 3iQ has established itself as a key player in alternative digital asset management.
The firm introduced the world’s first Digital Assets Managed Account Platform (QMAP) and was among the earliest to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs on major exchanges.
It has also enabled staking integration within certain ETPs to improve returns for investors. 3iQ operates as a subsidiary of the NASDAQ-listed Coincheck Group N.V.
Anchorage Digital, established in 2017, supports institutions across trading, staking, custody, and other services through its globally regulated entities. The firm, backed by prominent investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, and Visa, continues to expand its presence in digital assets sector.