Crypto Custody: Comparison of the 5 Best EU Providers

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As blockchain technology continues to reshape the financial landscape, digital asset custody has emerged as a critical infrastructure component. With the rise of cryptocurrencies, security tokens, stablecoins, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), secure and compliant custody solutions are no longer optional—they’re essential. The European Union has taken a proactive stance on regulation, especially through national frameworks in Germany, Malta, and Estonia, creating a fertile environment for trusted crypto custodians to thrive.

This guide compares five leading crypto custody providers in the EU, evaluating their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. Whether you're a financial institution, fintech startup, or blockchain project, understanding these platforms can help you make an informed decision based on security, regulatory compliance, scalability, and usability.

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What Is Crypto Custody?

Crypto custody refers to the secure storage and management of digital assets using specialized technological and legal frameworks. Unlike traditional finance, where physical vaults protect assets, crypto custody relies on cryptographic key management—often leveraging Hardware Security Modules (HSM) or Multi-Party Computation (MPC)—to prevent unauthorized access.

In regulated markets like the EU, custody providers must comply with strict licensing requirements, particularly under Germany’s BaFin regulations for crypto custodianship. These rules ensure that user funds are protected, audited regularly, and operationally resilient.

The 5 Leading EU-Based Crypto Custodians

1. Metaco – Enterprise-Grade On-Premise Security

Headquartered in Switzerland (a European country outside the EU), Metaco has been a pioneer in institutional crypto custody since 2015. It primarily serves large banks and financial institutions with on-premise solutions—meaning the infrastructure is hosted directly within the client’s data centers.

This model aligns perfectly with regulatory demands from traditional banks that require full control over their systems. Metaco leverages both HSM and MPC technologies to secure private keys and supports integration with core banking platforms via APIs.

Key Advantages:

Limitations:

Metaco excels for institutions prioritizing control and security over ease of integration.

2. Solaris Digital Assets – Full-Service Banking Ecosystem

Berlin-based Solaris Bank operates one of Germany’s most prominent banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms. Through its subsidiary Solaris Digital Assets, it extends its white-label capabilities into crypto custody, offering a comprehensive suite including payment rails, credit cards, and compliance tools.

While not exclusively focused on blockchain, Solaris provides seamless integration between fiat and digital asset operations—an advantage for neobanks and fintechs aiming to offer hybrid financial products.

Key Advantages:

Limitations:

Solaris is ideal for companies seeking a unified platform that bridges traditional finance and crypto.

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3. Finoa – All-in-One Digital Asset Banking

Founded in 2018 in Germany, Finoa positions itself as a “digital asset bank” catering to both retail (B2C) and enterprise (B2B) clients. Its platform offers a user-friendly interface where users can manage wallets, stake assets, and trade across supported blockchains.

Finoa supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies and tokens—including ERC-20s and stablecoins—and features built-in exchange functionality. The company is actively pursuing a German crypto custody license from BaFin, signaling its commitment to regulatory compliance.

Key Advantages:

Limitations:

Finoa suits projects looking for an accessible, feature-rich platform without deep technical customization needs.

4. Arkane Network – Gaming & NFT-Focused Flexibility

Based in Belgium, Arkane Network stands out by targeting niche markets: gaming ecosystems and NFT creators. It supports nine blockchains, including gaming-oriented ones like Tron and GoChain, and allows users to interact via web interface or integrate decentralized wallets like MetaMask.

This hybrid approach enables non-custodial interactions while still providing insured key management—a rare blend in the custody space. Arkane also natively supports NFTs, making it a go-to solution for game studios and metaverse developers.

Key Advantages:

Limitations:

Arkane is best suited for Web3 startups, game developers, and NFT platforms needing plug-and-play custody.

5. Tangany – White-Label API Powerhouse

Munich-based Tangany offers a fully white-labeled, API-driven custody solution designed for B2B clients in finance, tokenization, and crypto markets. Supporting Bitcoin and Ethereum (including ERC-20 tokens like USDT), Tangany provides both warm wallets (via Wallet-as-a-Service) and cold storage options.

Built on Microsoft Azure, Tangany ensures high availability, scalability, and enterprise-grade security. The company has applied for a German BaFin crypto custody license and won the FinTech Germany Award 2020 for innovation. Its leadership actively contributes to national blockchain policy discussions through Bundesblock e.V.

Key Advantages:

Limitations:

Tangany is ideal for fintechs, exchanges, and token issuers needing scalable, compliant backend infrastructure.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What makes a crypto custodian compliant in the EU?
A: In the EU, compliance typically involves obtaining national licenses—such as Germany’s BaFin crypto custody license—and adhering to AML/KYC regulations, regular audits, and secure key management practices using HSM or MPC.

Q: Why choose a white-label custody solution?
A: White-label providers allow businesses to offer branded custody services without building infrastructure from scratch. This accelerates time-to-market and reduces development costs—ideal for banks, fintechs, and exchanges.

Q: How do cold and warm wallets differ in custody?
A: Cold wallets are offline storage systems offering maximum security for long-term holdings. Warm wallets are partially online but still highly secured—perfect for active trading or transaction processing.

Q: Are NFTs supported by most EU custodians?
A: Not universally. While Arkane Network offers native NFT support, many institutional custodians focus on fungible tokens due to regulatory clarity and demand from traditional finance clients.

Q: Can non-EU companies use these providers?
A: Yes—many serve international clients. However, regulatory alignment depends on local laws. EU-based providers often offer better compliance with MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) when it fully rolls out.

Q: Is on-premise custody better than cloud-based?
A: It depends on your risk profile. On-premise solutions give full control—ideal for banks—but require more resources. Cloud-based custody (like Tangany on Azure) offers scalability and lower operational overhead.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Provider

Each of these five EU-based custodians brings unique strengths:

Your choice should align with your business model, target market, technical capacity, and regulatory goals. As the MiCA regulation rolls out across the EU, expect further standardization—and increased importance of licensed, transparent custody solutions.

No single provider fits all—but with the right match, your project can achieve both security and scalability in Europe’s evolving digital asset economy.