The world of institutional cryptocurrency trading is evolving rapidly, with security, compliance, and operational efficiency becoming top priorities. In a significant development, OKX, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, has partnered with Komainu, a regulated digital asset custody provider, to enable secure, round-the-clock trading of segregated assets under custody. This collaboration marks a pivotal advancement for institutional investors seeking both safety and liquidity in the fast-moving crypto markets.
A New Era in Institutional Crypto Trading
Through this strategic integration, OKX has joined Komainu Connect, a cutting-edge collateral management platform launched in April 2023. The platform is designed to reduce counterparty risk by eliminating the need for institutions to transfer collateral directly to trading counterparties. Instead, assets remain securely held in regulated custody with Komainu while still being available for immediate trading on the OKX exchange.
This tripartite architecture—combining secure off-exchange settlement, real-time asset mirroring, and direct exchange access—represents a major leap forward for large-scale institutional traders. It ensures that digital assets are never exposed to exchange-related risks during trading, while still granting full access to OKX’s high-performance trading infrastructure, including its market-leading portfolio margin account mode and deeply liquid markets.
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Why Security and Custody Matter for Institutions
For financial institutions, asset protection isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Unlike retail investors, institutional players operate under strict regulatory frameworks and fiduciary responsibilities. They require not only high returns but also verifiable security, auditability, and compliance.
Komainu, established in 2018 and launched in June 2020, specializes in providing regulated custody solutions tailored to institutions such as exchanges, asset managers, corporations, and even government agencies. By maintaining segregated assets under robust custody protocols, Komainu ensures that client funds are protected from operational, counterparty, and custodial risks.
With this partnership, OKX reinforces its commitment to institutional-grade services by integrating with a trusted third-party custodian. This allows clients to trade actively without compromising on safety—a balance that has long been challenging in the digital asset space.
Key Benefits of the OKX-Komainu Integration
- Reduced Counterparty Risk: Assets stay in secure custody with Komainu; no need to deposit collateral directly onto the exchange.
- 24/7 Trading Access: Institutions can respond instantly to market movements without delays or withdrawal procedures.
- Seamless Execution: Tripartite mirroring enables real-time synchronization between custody holdings and trading positions.
- Regulatory Compliance: Both OKX and Komainu adhere to global standards in cybersecurity, transparency, and operational resilience.
- Portfolio Margin Utilization: Institutional traders gain access to advanced margin models that optimize capital efficiency.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
The collaboration has been welcomed by executives from both organizations, who view it as a transformative step toward mainstream institutional adoption of digital assets.
Nicolas Bertrand, CEO at Komainu, stated:
“This strategic partnership marks a milestone in our mission to provide secure and compliant digital asset custody solutions. OKX's reputation as a leading cryptocurrency exchange, combined with our expertise in institutional-grade custody services, 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 emerging as the leading collateral management solution. Partnering with one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges is a testament to the infrastructure and expertise committed to this service, and our focus remains on seamless execution for all parties.”Lennix Lai, Global Chief Commercial Officer at OKX, emphasized:
“Institutions need the peace of mind that comes with knowing their assets are being kept safe with a leading custodian, while retaining their ability to capitalize when investment opportunities arise. That is why we are delighted to partner with Komainu to allow investors a way to keep their assets secure while not compromising on returns.”
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How Komainu Connect Works
Komainu Connect functions as an off-exchange settlement layer that enables real-time mirroring of custodied assets onto the trading platform. When an institution wants to trade:
- Assets remain locked in Komainu’s regulated custody environment.
- A mirrored position is created on OKX via the Komainu Connect interface.
- Trading occurs using these mirrored assets with full margin capabilities.
- Settlement happens off-exchange, preserving asset security at all times.
This model effectively decouples custody from execution—a paradigm shift that aligns with traditional finance best practices while adapting them to the unique demands of blockchain-based markets.
FAQ: Understanding the OKX-Komainu Collaboration
Q: What does “segregated assets under custody” mean?
A: It means each client’s digital assets are held separately in secure wallets, not commingled with other users’ funds or the exchange’s operational capital. This minimizes risk and ensures clear ownership.
Q: How does 24/7 trading work if assets aren’t on the exchange?
A: Through tripartite mirroring technology. While assets stay safely with Komainu, their value is mirrored on OKX, allowing instant trading access without transferring ownership.
Q: Is this service available to retail investors?
A: Currently, this integration is designed specifically for institutional clients who require high-security custody solutions and advanced trading features.
Q: What types of assets are supported?
A: The platform supports major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and select stablecoins, with plans to expand based on institutional demand.
Q: How does this reduce counterparty risk?
A: Since funds never leave regulated custody, institutions avoid exposure to exchange insolvency or hacking risks—a common concern in crypto trading.
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Driving Institutional Adoption Through Innovation
As digital assets gain traction among banks, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth entities, infrastructure must evolve accordingly. The OKX-Komainu partnership exemplifies how next-generation solutions can bridge the gap between traditional financial expectations and crypto-native capabilities.
By combining secure custody, real-time trading, and regulatory alignment, this collaboration sets a new benchmark for what institutional crypto services should offer. It addresses core concerns around security and liquidity—two factors that have historically slowed enterprise adoption.
For forward-thinking institutions looking to enter or expand within the crypto space, this integration offers a compelling proposition: trade actively without sacrificing safety.
Final Thoughts
The fusion of secure custody and frictionless trading is no longer a vision—it’s a reality. With OKX’s technological leadership and Komainu’s regulatory-compliant infrastructure, institutional investors now have a trusted pathway to engage with digital asset markets around the clock.
As the ecosystem matures, partnerships like this will play a crucial role in shaping a more resilient, transparent, and accessible financial future.
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