Zodia Custody, the institution-first digital asset custodian backed by Standard Chartered, has been granted a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licence by Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). The authorisation marks a significant milestone for the firm, enabling its European arm to passport regulated custody services across all European Union member states.
The approval reinforces Zodia Custody’s strategy to position itself as a “risk-first” partner for institutional investors, leveraging a compliance-heavy framework to bridge the gap between traditional banking and the digital asset economy.
Passport to Europe
The MiCA framework is widely regarded as a game-changer for the crypto industry in Europe, replacing a patchwork of national rules with a unified regulatory regime. For Zodia Custody, this licence from the CSSF—a regulator known for its stringent standards—validates its operational rigour and allows it to offer services throughout the bloc without needing separate licences for each country.
Sophie Bowler, chief risk and compliance officer at Zodia Custody, commented on the achievement: “Regulatory authorisation from the CSSF is a milestone accomplishment for Zodia Custody Europe, and proves our commitment to offering our institutional clients licensed and authorised digital assets custody services. Our commitment to compliance and our risk-first approach means institutions can fearlessly engage in the digital assets future without compromise.”
Strengthening the Luxembourg hub
To support its expanded mandate, Zodia Custody has bolstered its local leadership team. The firm announced the appointment of Daniel Soriano as an authorised manager in the Luxembourg office, working alongside managing director Ami Nagata. Soriano brings extensive experience from leading European technology institutions, aligning with the company’s focus on secure, institutional-grade infrastructure.
Ami Nagata, managing director, Luxembourg at Zodia Custody Europe, added: “Gaining authorisation from the CSSF further underscores Zodia Custody’s commitment to regulatory compliance in all markets where we operate. We look forward to the opportunity to support clients across Europe under our newly licensed activities.”
A global regulatory footprint
The MiCA licence adds to Zodia Custody’s growing list of regulatory credentials. The firm, whose shareholders include Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, National Australia Bank, and Emirates NBD, already operates under registrations and authorisations from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Central Bank of Ireland, the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority in the UAE, and the Hong Kong Companies Registry.
By securing fully regulated status in the EU, Zodia Custody continues to solidify its proposition as a safe harbour for institutions looking to enter the digital asset space, offering settlement and custody solutions that mirror the standards of traditional finance.
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