Top 5 Crypto Custody Solutions for Secure Asset Management in 2026

Custody risks remain one of the biggest challenges that the crypto industry continues to grapple with. The collapse of FTX in 2022 and more recently high profile hacks such as the Bybit incident in early 2025 highlighted the pitfalls of the centralized custody model. These events have shifted the mindset of investors looking to safely store their digital assets. Ultimately, even the most bullish crypto asset can become worthless overnight if they cannot be safely accessed or protected. The phrase “not your keys, not your crypto” is a sentiment that has been echoed, pushing more users to learn about self custody services to securely store their crypto. 

Many crypto investors have adopted layered custody strategies rather than relying on a single solution. The approach now is multifaceted. This means investors are using various self custody options for various needs. For example, long term holders using hardware wallets for offline cold storage while at the same time using custody setups like multisig or MPC (Multi-Party Computation) based platforms to distribute risk for active funds. This distributed approach to holding funds gives control, convenience and risk management to the user. 

In this article, we highlight the top five crypto custody services for 2026. Each of these services addresses security from a different angle. The selection criteria is based on the custody model or who holds the private keys, the security infrastructure (hardware, MPC etc.), transparency, ease of use and any trade-offs between user control and third party risk. An important point to note is that “custody” in this context covers the entire security workflow, who controls access to assets and how transactions are authorized. With that in mind, the following are the top five custody services available today for you to secure your crypto assets.  

1. ChangeNOW – Best Non-Custodial Custody Flow for Active Asset Management 

Why it ranks #1 

While ChangeNOW is known for its instant cryptocurrency swaps, it enables users to make these trades all without surrendering custody. In simple words, ChangeNOW as a platform does not hold users’ funds. Instead, it’s a platform that enables simple and quick wallet to wallet transactions. Users need not deposit funds as they typically do on a centralized exchange (where the custody lies) to execute trades. Here, you can simply move crypto assets directly between your own wallets and your crypto never leaves your personal custody during the process. Therefore, this non-custodial model offers users a simple way to rebalance portfolios without any third party custodial risks. 

Another strong point is that users’ privacy, both in terms of funds and identity, are upheld on this platform as ChangeNOW does not require creating an account or keeping a balance to execute swaps. 

Transparency and speed are at the core of the platform. Rates/fees are displayed clearly before initiating any transactions and swaps are handled within 1-2 minutes. The platform also mentions that 98% of all swaps are completed at the estimated rate or a more favorable rate in a few minutes, with exchange rate deviations kept below 0.5%. The platform also holds a 4.5 rating on Trustpilot, based on nearly 12,500 reviews. 

Best for: 

ChangeNOW is a great platform for active asset managers who store crypto across multiple wallets. These users will greatly benefit from the speed and simplicity of repositioning assets without giving up custody. 

Secondly, as a non-custodial platform, ChangeNOW is suitable for those worried about leaving funds on a centralized exchange with counterparty risks and those who prioritize security while being able to make adjustments to their portfolio on the go. 

Limitations

As it is primarily a transaction facilitator service, the platform is not designed for holding assets. Therefore, users must already know how to set up wallets to send and receive assets. With self custody comes great responsibility. While users retain full control over their assets with no third party oversight, this also means that all the security measures depend on them. 

Users are responsible for understanding the importance of seed phrases and the necessary security protocols to keep their wallets safe. Ultimately, in the case of a users wallet being compromised, ChangeNOW will not be able to help. 

1. Ledger – Best Hardware Custody for Long-Term Storage

Why it stands out

Ledger is a one of the oldest and most reputed names in the crypto industry, known for its hardware wallets. Established in 2014, Ledger devices have become the gold standard for long term investors looking for the best cold storage option. One of the primary reasons why Ledger stands out is strong security infrastructure coupled with its intuitive Ledger Wallet desktop and mobile application. The ease of use makes it incredibly simple for even beginners. 

Since the private keys are stored on a physical device, this means your keys never leave your the device and are never exposed to any online threats. All cryptographic keys are stored in a secure element chip on the device. To date, Ledger devices have had no known remote hacks compromising the keys, highlighting their level of security. 

The Ledger device operates as an offline signer. This means you can initiate transactions via the Ledger Wallet app but it must go through another layer of approval on the Ledger device itself by physically pressing buttons. The transaction data is sent to the device, signed within the secure hardware environment and then returned, all while your private keys stays offline. 

Finally, the Ledger Wallet app allows management of over 15000 cryptocurrencies across the major networks. This broad support means users can hold a diversified portfolio on one device. 

Best for

Ledger devices are built for cold storage. Therefore a Ledger device is ideal for those users looking to hold their crypto for the long term. That said, Ledger also makes it convenient to move funds with features like bluetooth available on some Ledger devices. This makes it suitable for security-conscious users who may occasionally need to move funds, participate in staking or interact with decentralized applications (dApps). 

1. Coinbase Custody – Best Institutional Grade Custodial Solution 

Why its included

Coinbase Custody is the institutional wing of Coinbase launched in 2018 that provides crypto custody services for funds, enterprises and high net worth individuals. Unlike the full non-custodial services mentioned above, Coinbase Custody is fully custodial and regulated provider. This means it takes the full responsibility of their client’s funds and secures it on their behalf. The platform is  New York state-chartered trust company and qualified custodian. This gives institutions confidence that meets high standards capital reserves and audits. 

Assets are held in distributed cold storage wallets, with regular SOC 1 and SOC 2 security audits. Since it is a qualified custodian, using Coinbase Custody can help institutions meet regulatory requirements (for example, U.S. SEC rules for custody of client funds by investment advisers). This regulated and transparent foundation sets it apart from other custodians. 

Another selling point is that the digital assets it holds are insured (up to $320 million of coverage under its institutional custody insurance policy). This extra layer of protection gives clients some recourse in the event of a catastrophe. 

Best for 

Coinbase Custody is best for hedge funds, family offices, asset managers and corporate treasuries looking to hold a significant amount of crypto with a trusted and regulated third party. Coinbase Custody fits that need, providing peace of mind that assets are being handled with bank-level security and oversight.

If you are an investor that prefers a professional entity capable of managing the complexity of keys, backups and physical devices, a custodial solution like Coinbase makes sense. 

1. Fireblocks – Best Enterprise & MPC-based Custody 

Why it works

Fireblocks is a digital asset custody and transfer platform made for institutional and enterprise use. It is known for its multi-party computation (MPC) service and other advanced technologies. Unlike a traditional custodian, Fireblocks can be seen as more of an infrastructure provider. 

Fireblocks’ main security is built on MPC wallet technology. In simple terms, MPC splits the private key into multiple secret shares held in different places, so no single device ever has the full key. In order to confirm a transaction it requires a joint signature which greatly removes the risk of a single point of failure. For example, one key shard might be on your server and another on Fireblocks’ secure enclave, a hacker in this scenario would need to breach multiple systems at the same time to get access to a key. 

The platform also allows organizations to define roles, permissions and approval policies for transactions. You can set multiple team members to approve large transfers, set limits on spending, whitelist addresses. Such granular control means that even internal threats or human errors can be avoided. 

Best for 

Exchanges, custodial wallet services, payment companies and corporate treasuries that need to securely manage the flow of large amounts of crypto assets will find Fireblocks invaluable. It’s designed to handle high volumes and integrate with various platforms (via API), making it suitable for fintech apps or trading operations that move crypto around frequently but cannot afford any security lapses. 

Any situation where multiple parties need shared yet secure access to crypto funds is a good fit. For instance, a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) treasury could use Fireblocks to require multiple members’ approval for transactions, instead of relying on a single hardware wallet held by one person. 

1. Trezor – Best Open-Source Hardware Custody

Why it’s included

Trezor is another renowned hardware wallet company launched in 2014. It’s known as being the first ever commercial crypto wallet and for its commitment to open-source security. Trezor devices, such as the Trezor Model T and the newer Trezor Safe 3, provide a non-custodial way to secure your cryptocurrency by keeping private keys offline. The defining philosophy of Trezor’s approach is transparency – its hardware and firmware are open-source, meaning the code can be reviewed by anyone for potential vulnerabilities. This has earned Trezor a strong level of community trust over the years

Trezor has established a strong reputation over the past decade. While there have been proof-of-concept exploits against Trezor devices when attackers have specialized equipment and physical access, Trezor has responded by improving device passphrase options and even introducing a secure element in its latest model (Safe 3) to mitigate certain attacks – all while keeping the firmware open-source. The community’s trust in Trezor comes from this long history of honest communication about security and continuous improvements. 

Best for 

If you strongly believe in open-source, trustless systems, Trezor is the hardware wallet that aligns with those values. It’s ideal for users who might be skeptical of closed-source elements in other hardware wallets and who want the maximum transparency about how their keys are managed. 

It’s also suitable for privacy focused investors. Trezor can be used in ways that minimize data leakage. For instance, you can run the wallet interface offline via the desktop app, or pair it with your own node for Bitcoin to ensure you’re not even trusting Trezor’s servers for transaction data. 

Custody Comparison

FAQs 

Q: What is the safest crypto custody solution in 2026?

There is no single “perfectly safe” option. Every custody method has trade-offs.

Hardware wallets for cold storage are among the safest for individuals, while institutions often prefer regulated custodians with insurance. The safest approach is adopting a layered custody solution i.e. cold storage for long-term funds and limited exposure on online non-custodial services for active use. 

Q: Is non-custodial custody always better?
Not always, it depends on the user’s skill and risk tolerance.
Non-custodial custody offers full control and removes third-party risk, but all responsibility falls on you. For some users, especially beginners or large holders, custodial or hybrid solutions may be safer.

Q: Can investors use multiple custody solutions?
Yes, and it’s considered best practice by 2026. Many investors combine cold wallets, custodial platforms, and MPC or multisig tools for different use cases. This diversification reduces the risk of a single point of failure. 

Q: Why is custody more than just storage?
Custody defines who controls assets, how transactions are approved, and how access is recovered. It includes security, governance, recovery, and usability—not just where assets sit. Good custody balances safety with the ability to move and manage funds when needed.