Head-to-head Bitcoin custodian comparison - qualified status, insurance, cold storage, and fees
BitGo and Fidelity Digital are both qualified custodians. BitGo publishes a $250M insurance policy; Fidelity Digital does not disclose a figure. Fidelity Digital keeps more of its holdings in cold storage (100% versus 95%).
| Metric | BitGo | Fidelity Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Custodian | Yes Tie | Yes Tie |
| Insurance Coverage | $250M insurance policy via Lloyd's of London | Comprehensive insurance through Fidelity's insurance program |
| Cold Storage | 95%+ cold storage | 100% cold storage Winner |
| Proof of Reserves | No Tie | No Tie |
| Custody Fee | 0.04-0.15% annual custody fee based on AUM tier. Hot wallet: $500/mo base. $50K minimum AUM for institutional custody. Tie | 0.05-0.40% annual custody fee based on AUM. $50K minimum. Includes cold storage and insurance. Tie |
| Minimum Balance | $50,000 Tie | $50,000 Tie |
| Audit Frequency | Annual SOC 2 audits Tie | Annual SOC 2 and regulatory audits Tie |
| Custody Model | Hosted Custody | Hosted Custody |
| Asset Segregation | Yes | Yes |
| Licenses | South Dakota Trust Company charter, NYDFS BitLicense, OCC-regulated qualified custodian | NYDFS-chartered limited purpose trust company |
| Jurisdiction | United States (South Dakota Trust, OCC-regulated) | United States (NYDFS-chartered) |
| Quality Score | 8.7 Winner | 8.2 |
| Multi-Sig Support | Yes Winner | No |
| Hardware Wallet Support | No Tie | No Tie |
| Institutional Services | Yes Tie | Yes Tie |
| API Access | Yes Tie | Yes Tie |
| Mobile App | No | Yes Winner |
| KYC Required | Yes | Yes |
| Bitcoin Only | No | No |
| Supported Assets | BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, LTC, 700+ digital assets | BTC, ETH |
| Withdrawal Limits | Configurable per-client policy | Custom institutional limits |
| Established | 2013 | 2018 |
Fidelity Digital keeps 100% of assets offline versus 95% at BitGo. A larger cold allocation reduces exposure to remote compromise, though it can also mean slower withdrawals, since moving funds requires an offline signing process.
Institutions requiring a globally licensed multi-signature custodian with deep insurance coverage and a long operational track record.
Custodian details (qualified status, insurance, cold storage, audit cadence, and fees) are sourced from provider disclosures and public regulatory filings, and reviewed by the 21Rates team.
Data as of May 1, 2026.
This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Insurance coverage is typically pooled across all clients rather than allocated per account, and policy terms, limits, and exclusions vary. Confirm current terms directly with each provider before depositing assets.