At BitGo, we’ve always been at the forefront of institutional digital asset infrastructure. Now, we’re taking things to the next level with the official launch of our comprehensive OTC trading desk—a service that’s already been operating in stealth mode since early 2024, facilitating billions in trading volume and building a lending book of over $150 million.

Led by industry veterans Matt Ballensweig (formerly of Genesis and Bridgewater) and Stefan Von Haenisch (formerly of OSL Group), our global OTC trading desk operates 24/7/365, providing institutional clients with a seamless trading experience across all major time zones. This isn’t just another trading desk—it’s a fully integrated platform combining spot and derivatives trading, lending, and yield-generating products, all within BitGo’s regulated, insured qualified custody framework.

What Makes BitGo’s OTC Desk Different?

We’ve seen market cycles come and go, and we know what works—and what doesn’t. The demand from institutions for trading solutions that integrate directly with qualified custody has never been higher. That’s why we built a platform that eliminates prefunding risks and allows institutions to trade securely without ever moving assets out of custody.

“Our integrated OTC offering gives clients the ability to execute with a full-service desk across spot, derivatives, and lending, all while their assets stay protected in qualified custody until the time of settlement,” said Matt Ballensweig, Managing Director, Head of Trading. “We then leverage BitGo’s Go Network to settle assets at the same time—minimizing the highly-prevalent prefunding risk that underlies our market structure.”

Institutional-Grade Trading, Designed for Security and Flexibility

BitGo’s OTC desk is built from the ground up to meet the needs of institutional traders looking for efficiency, deep liquidity, and security. Here’s what makes it stand out:

Trade with Flexibility

Clients can trade spot, derivatives, lending, and yield-generating products all in one place, alongside BitGo’s existing electronic trade offering through BitGo Prime.

Trade Competitively

BitGo’s OTC desk sources liquidity from dozens of exchanges and LPs, ensuring highly competitive pricing and access to dynamic order types, including:

• Risk bid/offer
• Limit/stop
• TWAP/VWAP
• Pegged orders
• % of volume and more

Access Exclusive Locked Token Markets

BitGo enables VC and hedge fund clients to buy and sell locked or unvested L1 tokens, a unique capability made possible by our position as the preferred qualified custodian for major protocols.

Unparalleled Security with Instant Settlement

Client assets never leave the security of BitGo’s regulated custody offering while trading, benefiting from our industry-leading security measures, robust controls, and $250M in insurance coverage.

BitGo’s unique positioning is further reinforced by our Go Network settlement infrastructure, which enables instant, on-demand settlements in crypto or cash without requiring on-chain transfers to another market maker first.

The Future of Institutional Crypto Trading Is Here

The overwhelming demand and rapid growth of BitGo’s OTC desk prove one thing: institutions need trading solutions that combine liquidity, efficiency, and security.

By integrating deep liquidity, a broad product suite, and the unmatched safety of qualified custody, we’re redefining what institutional trading should look like.

This is just the beginning. As we continue expanding our trading capabilities, the future of institutional digital asset trading isn’t just coming—it’s already here.

Source: BitGO