BitGo will now handle custody and staking for 21Shares’ expanding crypto ETF and ETP offerings across the US and Europe.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- BitGo deepens its partnership with 21Shares, covering US and European crypto ETFs and ETPs.
- BitGo will serve as the custodian for 21Shares’ ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and Core Ethereum ETF.
- The expansion includes staking services, multi-custodial infrastructure, and insured cold storage.
- BitGo’s recent regulatory milestones strengthen its ability to serve institutional investors globally.
What Happened?
BitGo and 21Shares have officially expanded their global partnership to include custody and staking services for the latter’s growing lineup of crypto ETFs and ETPs. This collaboration now stretches across the United States and EMEA, as institutional demand for secure digital asset exposure continues to rise.
BitGo will now serve as the custodian for 21Shares’ US-listed spot ETFs, including the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and the 21Shares Core Ethereum ETF (CETH). These services build on the companies’ long-standing relationship and come at a time when ETF inflows have surged to around $16 billion, highlighting the importance of robust and diversified custody infrastructure.
BitGo’s partnership with @21shares is expanding to provide staking and custody services to support 21shares’ growing product suite across the US and EMEA.
— BitGo (@BitGo) February 12, 2026
By combining innovative digital asset infrastructure with regulated licensing through the OCC as a federally chartered trust… pic.twitter.com/zZQb3jwyA8
BitGo’s Role in the Partnership
BitGo is bringing its regulated cold storage, integrated staking services, and insured qualified custody framework to support 21Shares’ global product expansion.
- BitGo’s platform offers deep liquidity and competitive staking rewards, which enables 21Shares to optimize execution across both electronic and OTC crypto markets.
- It provides custody through a bankruptcy-remote structure, with $250 million in insurance coverage, reassuring institutional investors seeking secure exposure to digital assets.
- The company’s infrastructure is designed to support large-scale institutional operations and offers regulatory alignment across multiple jurisdictions.
“21Shares is one of the leading digital asset managers globally and we’ve valued our partnership from the outset,” said Adam Sporn, Head of Prime Brokerage and Institutional Sales at BitGo. He emphasized that BitGo is excited to support the firm’s US ETF products and global ETP offerings.
21Shares’ Growth and Strategy
With $5.7 billion in assets under management, 21Shares has established itself as one of the top crypto ETP issuers worldwide. The firm continues to expand its footprint in both the US and European markets.
- 21Shares was the first to list a physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018.
- The company leverages proprietary technology and capital markets expertise to deliver cost-efficient crypto investment solutions.
- It is now adopting a multi-custodial strategy, signaling its focus on risk management and operational security.
Andres Valencia, Head of Investment Management at 21Shares said:
Regulatory Milestones for BitGo
BitGo’s ability to serve 21Shares’ expansion is bolstered by its recent regulatory and structural achievements:
- Approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to convert its BitGo Bank & Trust subsidiary into a federally chartered trust bank.
- A successful IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
- A MiCAR license from Germany’s BaFin, enabling it to offer regulated services throughout the European Union.
These developments provide further regulatory assurance and operational strength, key factors for institutional adoption of digital assets.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
This move by 21Shares and BitGo feels like a serious power play in the crypto ETF space. I think BitGo’s strong regulatory framework and deep infrastructure make it a natural choice for any serious ETF issuer, and 21Shares clearly sees the value in doubling down on that relationship. To me, this shows the crypto industry is growing up fast, moving from wild-west volatility to institutional-grade governance. If you’re watching where crypto goes next, this partnership is a big signal that serious money wants serious custody.
