The world of digital assets continues to mature, with institutional participation driving demand for secure, compliant, and seamless trading infrastructure. In a significant development reinforcing trust and operational efficiency in the crypto ecosystem, OKX, one of the world’s leading Web3 technology companies and the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced a strategic collaboration with Komainu, a regulated virtual asset custodian.
This partnership enables institutional clients to trade isolated, custodied assets around the clock—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—through OKX’s advanced trading platform, all while maintaining the highest standards of security and regulatory compliance.
👉 Discover how institutional-grade custody is transforming crypto trading efficiency.
Bridging Security and Liquidity: The OKX-Komainu Integration
At the core of this collaboration is the integration of Komainu Connect, Komainu’s cutting-edge collateral management platform, into OKX’s ecosystem. This allows institutions to leverage their assets held under Komainu’s secure custody while actively participating in OKX’s deep liquidity markets.
By eliminating the need to transfer assets out of cold storage for trading purposes, the integration significantly reduces counterparty risk and enhances capital efficiency. Institutions can now respond instantly to market opportunities without compromising on security—a long-standing challenge in the digital asset space.
Why This Matters for Institutional Investors
Institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies hinges on three critical factors: security, compliance, and accessibility. The OKX-Komainu partnership directly addresses all three:
- Security: Assets remain under Komainu’s regulated custody at all times.
- Compliance: Both firms operate under strict regulatory oversight, ensuring adherence to global financial standards.
- Accessibility: Clients gain real-time access to trading opportunities via OKX’s high-performance platform.
Lennix Lai, Global Chief Commercial Officer at OKX, emphasized the importance of trusted custody solutions:
“Providing secure asset custody options is a top priority for us. Institutions want peace of mind—they need assurance that their funds are safeguarded by a leading custodian, while still being able to act swiftly when investment opportunities arise.”
This integration marks a pivotal step forward for large crypto institutions preparing to use portfolio margin accounts and engage in liquid markets through over-the-counter (OTC) settlement and third-party mirroring solutions.
Who Is Komainu? A Trusted Name in Digital Asset Custody
Established in 2018 through a joint venture between Nomura Holdings (a major Japanese investment bank), CoinShares (a European digital asset manager), and Ledger (the renowned hardware wallet provider), Komainu was officially launched in June 2020. The firm combines traditional financial expertise with next-generation blockchain security protocols.
Headquartered in Jersey, Komainu operates globally with offices in London, Dublin, Dubai, and Singapore. It is regulated by two prominent authorities:
- Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC)
- Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
This dual regulatory oversight positions Komainu as a bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), offering compliant custody services to exchanges, financial institutions, asset managers, corporations, and government entities.
Nicolas Bertrand, CEO of Komainu, highlighted the strategic significance of the OKX collaboration:
“Our mission is to deliver secure and compliant digital asset custody solutions. Partnering with OKX—a globally recognized leader in crypto exchange innovation—marks a major milestone. Together, we’re paving the way for a new era of trust and technological advancement in the industry.”
Sebastian Widmann, Strategic Director at Komainu, added:
“Komainu Connect is rapidly emerging as a leading collateral management solution. Our integration with one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges validates our expertise in secure asset custody and reinforces our commitment to seamless interoperability across platforms.”
How Komainu Connect Enhances Risk Management
Launched in April 2023, Komainu Connect was designed to solve a fundamental issue in institutional crypto trading: the necessity of transferring collateral to counterparties. Traditionally, this process exposes institutions to unnecessary risks, including theft, fraud, and operational delays.
With Komainu Connect:
- Collateral remains securely isolated within regulated cold storage.
- Real-time verification ensures transparency without compromising security.
- Automated workflows enable instant settlement and margin adjustments.
This model not only minimizes counterparty risk but also streamlines operations—allowing institutions to manage complex portfolios more efficiently across multiple trading venues.
👉 Learn how secure collateral management can boost your trading performance.
Supporting the Future of Web3 and Institutional Finance
OKX has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of Web3 innovation. Beyond its high-speed trading engine, OKX offers a comprehensive ecosystem that includes:
- OKX Wallet: A self-custodial solution enabling users to interact with thousands of decentralized applications (DApps), including decentralized exchanges (DEXs), NFT marketplaces, DeFi protocols, and GameFi platforms.
- Transparency Initiatives: Regular proof-of-reserves reports to reinforce platform integrity.
- Global Partnerships: Collaborations with elite sports organizations like Manchester City FC, McLaren Formula 1 Team, and world-class athletes such as Daniel Ricciardo and Scotty James.
This latest integration with Komainu further solidifies OKX’s commitment to building secure, scalable infrastructure for both retail and institutional participants in the evolving digital economy.
Core Keywords:
- Cryptocurrency exchange
- Institutional crypto trading
- Secure asset custody
- Regulated crypto custodian
- 24/7 crypto trading
- Komainu Connect
- OKX trading platform
- Web3 infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main benefit of the OKX-Komainu partnership for institutional traders?
A: Institutions can now trade their crypto assets 24/7 on OKX while keeping those assets securely held under Komainu’s regulated custody—eliminating the need to move funds into exchange wallets and reducing counterparty risk.
Q: Is Komainu a licensed crypto custodian?
A: Yes. Komainu is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), ensuring compliance with international financial standards.
Q: How does Komainu Connect work with OKX?
A: Komainu Connect integrates directly with OKX’s systems, allowing real-time collateral verification and margin management without transferring assets out of secure cold storage.
Q: Can retail investors benefit from this integration?
A: While primarily designed for institutional clients, advancements like this strengthen overall platform security and liquidity—benefits that indirectly enhance the trading experience for retail users on OKX.
Q: Are my assets safer if they’re under Komainu custody?
A: Yes. Komainu uses military-grade security protocols, multi-layered access controls, and regulatory oversight to protect assets. When combined with OKX’s robust trading infrastructure, it creates a powerful blend of safety and performance.
Q: Where can I access OKX’s proof-of-reserves reports?
A: OKX publishes regular proof-of-reserves updates to ensure transparency. These reports are publicly available on the official OKX website.
👉 Explore how top-tier custody solutions are shaping the future of crypto trading.