Unchained
Bitcoin Only
Established Est. 2016
United States
21Rates Quality Score: 5.9/10
Unchained (Austin, est. 2016) offers collaborative multisig custody and Bitcoin-backed loans without giving up key control. Has facilitated $2+ billion in BTC transactions.
Custody Model
ModelMulti-Institution Custody,Collaborative Custody
LicensesFinCEN MSB registration
RegulatoryFinCEN BSA/AML, state regulations
JurisdictionUnited States (FinCEN MSB)
Fees & Minimums
Fee StructurePersonal: $250/yr. Business: $500/yr. Concierge onboarding: $2,500 one-time. Multi-sig collaborative custody.
WithdrawalsNone (user-controlled, 2-of-3 keys)
Security
Cold Storage100% cold storage (user-controlled keys)
InsuranceCollaborative model — no single custodian risk
Proof of Reserves No
Asset SegregationYes (user holds 2 of 3 keys)
Multi-Sig Supported
AuditsRegular audits, proof of reserves
Features
API Access Not available
Mobile App Yes
Hardware Wallet Not supported
Institutional Available
Integrated Trading Yes
AssetsBTC only
Frequently Asked Questions About Unchained
Unchained's qualified custodian status is listed as "false". Confirm directly with Unchained about their regulatory status before entrusting assets.
Unchained carries the following insurance coverage: Collaborative model — no single custodian risk. Always confirm specific coverage terms, limits, and exclusions directly with Unchained before depositing assets.
Unchained stores 100% cold storage (user-controlled keys) of assets in cold storage (offline). Cold storage protects against remote hacking by keeping private keys disconnected from the internet.
Unchained's fee structure: Personal: $250/yr. Business: $500/yr. Concierge onboarding: $2,500 one-time. Multi-sig collaborative custody.. Custody fees are typically charged as an annual basis-point fee on assets under custody or a flat monthly fee.
Unchained does not publicly list a minimum balance. Contact them directly for requirements based on your institution type and asset size.
About this analysis
21Rates Editorial TeamBitcoin Financial Research Analysts
Our research team analyses Bitcoin custody providers using proprietary quality scoring, regulatory research, and user reviews. We independently verify custody terms and maintain up-to-date information to help you make informed decisions.
Last verified: August 2026