How Gemini Custody® Keeps Digital Assets Safe for Institutional Investors

Over the past few years, institutional investors, corporations, and family offices have increased their exposure to bitcoin and other digital assets exponentially. The rapid formation of bitcoin, ethereum and solana treasury programs have shown that holding crypto is no longer a strategy exclusive to retail investors.

Gemini Custody® has positioned itself for this new world by offering a secure, transparent way for these actors to store their crypto with a segregated custody offering. These funds are held in offline, auditable addresses that were custom-built by technical experts in cryptography, finance, and security–and they exist separately from Gemini Exchange funds.

Given the recent explosion in crypto treasury programs, let’s review how Gemini Custody® is uniquely positioned to serve institutional and other non-retail investors.

Account Security Powered by Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

We build innovative security solutions to better protect our users and their accounts. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is required by default, in order to access your account and make withdrawals. Here are some enhanced security options available for Gemini Custody® customers:

• Passkeys-enabled account access: Passkeys provide an industry-leading, user-friendly method of authentication, offering enhanced account protection. We highly recommend using Passkeys for 2FA as they provide the highest level of security and a simple user experience.
• Login notifications: Customers receive push notifications when logging into the account. This notification can help identify if an unauthorized user has attempted to access your account.
• Support for hardware security: When combined with Passkeys, customers can use physical keys, like Yubikeys, for a more secure 2FA experience for account access.
• Add approved addresses with allow-listing: As an additional self-service security feature, clients can add approved addresses to their Gemini Custody® account to ensure that cryptocurrency in their account can only be withdrawn to pre-approved addresses.

Industry-Leading Internal Controls

Gemini has also implemented leading security controls designed to mitigate the risk of insider threats for offline systems.

• Multiple operators are required to transfer cryptocurrency out of our cold storage system and perform other sensitive functions.
• Gemini offices do not contain any private keys. All private keys are stored offsite at high-security facilities.
• All employees undergo rigorous background checks and are subject to ongoing screening throughout their employment.
• Access to production systems requires use of hardware security keys, which are not susceptible to phishing attacks.

Other Features Gemini Uses To Keep Crypto Safe

• Designed for compliance and transparency: Gemini Custody® assets and are held in our offline, air-gapped storage systems. We use multi-signature technology, role-based governance protocols, and multiple layers of logical and physical access controls, including biometric access controls, to safeguard client assets.
• Optimized for multi-user withdrawals: When a customer initiates digital asset withdrawal from their Gemini Custody® account to an external digital asset wallet address through the Gemini user interface, multi-user accounts require an initiator and separate approver.
• Uncompromisingly offline: Gemini’s Hardware Security Modules (“HSMs”) storing private keys are never connected to the internet and have achieved the highest levels of U.S. government security ratings. The HSMs are geographically distributed and secured in facilities that cannot be accessed without the proper credentials.
• Instant trading from Gemini Custody®: Trade directly with assets held in offline storage with Gemini Instant Trade®. Withdrawals to exchange accounts are instantly credited for trading while maintaining the highest security and verification standards.
• Seasoned customer support agents and client services: Institutional grade support and account management teams are highly responsive to our clients’ needs. The Client Services team is available to answer questions, provide demos, and offer customized solutions to meet your business needs.

Have any questions about Gemini Custody?

Go Where Dollars Won’t,
Team Gemini