Tokenet and BitGo Forge Critical Link for Institutional Digital Lending

NEW YORK, NY – June 30, 2026 – In a move poised to significantly accelerate institutional adoption of digital assets, Digital Prime Technologies today announced that its Tokenet platform has completed a critical integration with BitGo Bank & Trust. The partnership enables institutional-grade bilateral digital asset lending, supported by BitGo's federally regulated custody and real-time settlement infrastructure. This collaboration, distributed through securities finance giant EquiLend, represents a major step in building the institutional-grade plumbing necessary to connect the worlds of traditional finance (TradFi) and digital assets.

The integration allows financial firms using Tokenet to execute complex lending workflows while their assets remain secured in qualified custody with BitGo Bank & Trust, a trust bank regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The move addresses two of the biggest hurdles for institutional investors: counterparty risk and regulatory compliance, creating a more secure and efficient environment for a market that has seen explosive growth, with crypto-backed lending reaching $67 billion in the first quarter of 2026.

Building a Bridge to Institutional Adoption

For years, the promise of digital asset lending has been tempered by the operational realities of a nascent market characterized by fragmented practices and regulatory ambiguity. Mainstream financial institutions, accustomed to the stringent risk controls of traditional capital markets, have remained cautious. This latest development on the Tokenet platform directly confronts these concerns by embedding TradFi principles of security and compliance into the digital asset lifecycle.

The centerpiece of this new level of assurance is BitGo's status as an OCC-regulated entity. This designation means the trust bank operates under the same rigorous federal oversight as traditional banks, including strict fiduciary responsibilities and robust risk management frameworks. Client assets held in custody with BitGo Bank & Trust benefit from offline cold storage and are insured up to $250 million, providing a level of security that mirrors the standards of established financial markets. This regulated foundation is crucial for attracting institutional capital that demands uncompromising security and a clear compliance pathway.

"Custody is foundational to digital assets, and we are pleased to announce another significant milestone in expanding client choice with the completion of Tokenet's integration with BitGo," said James Runnels, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Prime Technologies. "BitGo's reputation as a trusted custody provider makes this a meaningful addition to our growing custody ecosystem. We remain committed to offering clients flexibility in how they custody their digital assets."

The Multi-Custodian Model: Flexibility Meets Security

The integration does more than just add a new custodian; it reinforces a core tenet of modern institutional finance: choice. Tokenet's genuine multi-custodian model, which already includes partners like the OCC-regulated Anchorage Digital, allows firms to operate on their preferred infrastructure. Institutions can now leverage BitGo's custody and settlement services without needing to move assets from their chosen provider, a critical feature for managing risk and operational efficiency.

This flexibility is a key differentiator in a competitive landscape where platforms like Fireblocks and Copper.co are also vying to provide secure institutional access to the digital asset ecosystem. Tokenet's approach is to replicate the proven workflows of securities lending, providing a full suite of lifecycle management tools—including automated recalls, returns, rerates, and mark-to-market calculations—all within a secure, multi-custodian framework. This allows institutions to manage digital asset loans with the same precision and control they apply to stocks and bonds.

"Building out a genuine multi-custodian model is central to what makes Tokenet a credible institutional solution," noted Nick Delikaris, Chief Product Officer at EquiLend. "As EquiLend's partner in bringing this platform to the securities finance community, we're pleased to see Tokenet expanding to meet clients on their preferred infrastructure."

Under the Hood: The Canton Network and Real-Time Settlement

Beyond regulated custody, the integration unlocks powerful technical capabilities through BitGo's infrastructure, particularly its support for the Canton Network. Canton is an interoperable blockchain network designed specifically for institutional use, enabling different financial applications to interact securely and efficiently without a central intermediary. BitGo has established itself as a key gateway to this ecosystem, and this integration reflects the demand from clients who rely on its infrastructure.

A key component is BitGo's Go Network, which provides off-chain, real-time settlement. This capability is a game-changer for digital asset lending, as it allows for atomic settlement of transactions, meaning they either complete instantly and in their entirety or not at all. This drastically reduces the counterparty risk and settlement delays inherent in many on-chain processes, boosting capital efficiency and allowing firms to move assets with the speed expected in modern financial markets. These features are crucial for supporting the sophisticated, high-volume trading and lending strategies of institutional players.

"Continued institutional adoption depends on trusted infrastructure designed for security and scale while supporting the networks and assets, like Canton, that are increasingly important to institutional markets," said Adam Sporn, Head of Prime Brokerage and Institutional Sales at BitGo Bank & Trust. "We're excited to partner with Digital Prime Technologies and EquiLend to provide the custody and settlement foundation that enables institutions to access lending workflows."

EquiLend's Digital Gambit: Scaling with Established Networks

This technological advancement is amplified by a powerful strategic partnership. EquiLend, a dominant force in the traditional securities finance industry, serves as the distribution foundation for Tokenet, providing access to its vast global network of broker-dealers and capital markets firms. This relationship is a clear signal of EquiLend's strategy to extend its expertise into the digital asset frontier, bridging the gap for its extensive client base.

For EquiLend, the partnership is a forward-looking move to meet the evolving demands of its clients. With institutional engagement in DeFi projected to triple in the next two years, providing a regulated and familiar pathway into digital asset lending is a significant value proposition. By leveraging Tokenet, EquiLend can offer a solution that speaks the language of traditional finance while unlocking the potential of a new asset class. The collaboration allows institutions to integrate digital asset lending into their broader financing strategies with confidence.

Looking ahead, Digital Prime Technologies is already in advanced stages of integrating with BitGo’s tri-party solution. This future development will introduce even more sophisticated collateral management capabilities, further aligning the digital asset lending market with the advanced risk management practices common in traditional securities finance.