The institutional adoption of digital assets continues to accelerate, and with it, the demand for robust, secure, and efficient trading infrastructure. In a strategic move to meet this growing need, Finery Markets, a leading non-custodial cryptocurrency ECN (Electronic Communication Network), has partnered with 1Konto, a premier provider of institutional-grade on/off-ramps, deep liquidity, and global settlement solutions.
This integration marks a significant advancement in the OTC (over-the-counter) crypto trading landscape. According to Finery Markets’ internal data, institutional trading volume has recorded double-digit growth for nine consecutive months. The broader OTC crypto market has surged by 89% year-over-year, underscoring the rising appetite among professional investors for seamless, high-liquidity trading environments.
1Konto Brings Deep Liquidity to Finery’s Ecosystem
As a top-tier OTC liquidity provider, 1Konto offers institutions frictionless access to and from digital assets. Its services cover major stablecoins, fiat currencies, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and a curated selection of altcoins—enabling smooth capital movement across traditional and crypto financial systems.
The company’s flagship platform, 1KPrime, is engineered for institutional efficiency. It delivers deep order book depth, best-price execution, and streamlined settlement processes. Beyond trading, 1Konto also offers Bitcoin-backed loans without forced liquidations—ensuring client assets remain securely held in bank-grade custody at all times.
By integrating with Finery Markets’ advanced ECN technology, 1Konto can now extend its liquidity offerings directly to users across three core Finery products:
- FM Marketplace
- FM Liquidity Match
- FM Whitelabel
This means institutions connected to Finery’s network will gain access to competitive pricing on 50 digital assets and 5 major fiat currencies, all delivered through a secure, non-custodial framework.
Why OTC Trading Is Gaining Institutional Momentum
Institutional traders are increasingly favoring OTC setups over traditional exchange-based trading for several compelling reasons: large trade sizes, reduced market impact, tighter spreads, and enhanced privacy.
Konstantin Shulga, CEO of Finery Markets, emphasized the strategic value of this partnership:
“We’re proud to welcome 1Konto to our ECN ecosystem. This collaboration delivers immense value to global institutions by combining deep liquidity with competitive pricing. In many cases, OTC trading setups are simply more efficient for institutional-scale transactions. With 1Konto’s seamless on- and off-ramp capabilities, this solution becomes even more compelling.”
Edwin Handschuh, CEO of 1Konto, echoed this sentiment:
“Partnering with Finery Markets allows us to leverage their cutting-edge ECN infrastructure to significantly enhance liquidity for both digital assets and fiat currencies. Together, we’re delivering transparent, efficient trading solutions that mitigate counterparty risk and streamline operations. This alliance contributes to a more resilient market structure—offering global investors tighter spreads and superior market efficiency.”
The Rise of Non-Custodial ECNs in Institutional Crypto
Finery Markets stands at the forefront of innovation in institutional crypto trading. As the first non-custodial crypto ECN, it empowers financial institutions with full control over their assets while providing access to aggregated liquidity from a global network.
Unlike custodial platforms, where assets are held by a third party, Finery’s model ensures that clients retain ownership and custody at all times—reducing counterparty risk and aligning with institutional compliance standards.
The platform supports two primary trading mechanisms:
- Aggregated order books for real-time price discovery
- Request-for-quote (RFQ) systems for large or sensitive trades
This hybrid approach makes Finery uniquely suited for diverse institutional use cases—from hedge funds executing block trades to payment processors managing multi-jurisdictional settlements.
Since its founding in 2019, Finery Markets has built a thriving ecosystem serving over 100 digital asset firms, including brokers, OTC desks, custodians, and fintech providers. Its network spans North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa—offering truly global connectivity.
👉 See how leading institutions are leveraging non-custodial ECNs for safer, smarter trading.
Trusted Infrastructure with Industry Recognition
Security and compliance are paramount in institutional finance. Finery Markets made history as the first crypto ECN to achieve SOC 2 Type 1 certification, a rigorous benchmark for data protection and operational controls.
In 2024, the company was recognized as one of the Top 50 Rising Stars in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 competition—a testament to its rapid growth and innovation in the digital asset space.
Beyond technology and security, Finery also contributes to market education through “The Flow,” its C-suite-level institutional podcast that explores the evolving architecture of digital asset markets.
Core Keywords Driving Institutional Adoption
This strategic partnership reflects broader trends shaping the future of crypto finance. Key terms defining this shift include:
- non-custodial crypto ECN
- institutional liquidity
- OTC crypto trading
- deep liquidity integration
- Bitcoin-backed loans
- crypto on-ramp solutions
- secure digital asset trading
- global settlement networks
These keywords not only capture the essence of Finery Markets’ offering but also align with high-intent search queries from institutional investors seeking reliable, scalable crypto infrastructure.
👉 Access next-generation trading tools designed for institutional precision and security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a non-custodial ECN?
A: A non-custodial Electronic Communication Network allows institutions to trade digital assets without surrendering custody of their funds. This reduces counterparty risk and enhances control over assets during trading.
Q: Why do institutions prefer OTC crypto trading?
A: OTC trading minimizes market impact for large orders, offers better price execution, provides privacy, and enables customized settlement terms—making it ideal for institutional-scale transactions.
Q: How does 1Konto ensure asset security?
A: 1Konto stores client assets in bank-grade custody solutions and offers Bitcoin-backed loans without forced liquidations, ensuring both security and flexibility.
Q: What fiat currencies are supported through this integration?
A: The integration supports five major fiat currencies—USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, and JPY—facilitating seamless cross-border settlements.
Q: Can smaller institutions benefit from Finery’s network?
A: Yes. While designed for institutional use, Finery’s scalable infrastructure supports firms of various sizes, including emerging fintechs and mid-tier brokers.
Q: Is there a minimum trade size for OTC transactions?
A: While exact thresholds vary, OTC desks typically serve trades starting from $100,000. Institutions should contact their relationship manager for specific details.
By combining 1Konto’s deep liquidity and secure on/off-ramp capabilities with Finery Markets’ advanced non-custodial ECN architecture, this partnership sets a new standard for institutional crypto trading—offering efficiency, transparency, and trust at scale.