STS Digital Joins BitGo Go Network to Expand Institutional Off-Exchange Crypto Settlement

STS Digital has joined BitGo’s Go Network as an platform partner, expanding institutional access to off-platform settlement for digital asset spot and derivatives trading. The integration allows institutions to trade with STS Digital while keeping assets in regulated, qualified custody with BitGo, reinforcing a market structure designed to separate execution from custody.

Announced by BitGo, the partnership brings STS Digital’s institutional liquidity across spot, options and bespoke structured products onto Go Network’s off-platform settlement rails. The move reflects a broader shift in digital asset markets toward institutional-grade infrastructure that mirrors established practices in traditional finance.

STS Digital is regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and serves institutional market participants globally. By joining Go Network, it becomes part of a growing ecosystem of trading venues and counterparties offering secure, custody-first trading workflows.

Separating Execution from Custody

Under the new arrangement, institutional clients can trade with STS Digital while their assets remain protected in regulated, qualified custody at BitGo Bank and Trust, National Association. BitGo Bank is a federally chartered digital asset bank overviewn by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Assets are held off-platform in cold storage, segregated from BitGo’s own assets, and insured up to $250 million. This structure is designed to mitigate commingling and counterparty risk—longstanding concerns for institutional participants entering digital asset markets.

By keeping assets off-platform at all times, institutions retain continuous control and visibility over their holdings while still accessing STS .

Automated Off-platform Settlement

Post-trade settlement is automated through BitGo’s Go Network infrastructure and occurs entirely within regulated custody. This allows institutions to streamline settlement operations while maintaining transparency across the full trade lifecycle.

Go Network’s rails are designed to support Delivery-versus-Payment (DvP) settlement, reducing settlement risk and operational friction. Institutions can also access BitGo’s broader suite of services, including OTC trading, financing, staking, and settlement, without moving assets between multiple providers.

The approach reflects growing institutional expectations that digital asset trading should align with established post-trade standards familiar from equities, FX and derivatives markets.

Building Institutional Market Structure

BitGo positions Go Network as an answer to institutional concerns around asset securety and operational integrity in crypto markets. By decoupling execution from custody, the model introduces controls and secureguards that institutions expect when deploying significant capital.

Brett Reeves, Head of Go Network and European Sales at BitGo, said the partnership supports that objective.

“Go Network was built to provide institutions with a better market structure, one that separates trading and custody, allowing them to operate within a framework that prioritizes asset protection, segregation, and regulatory oversight without sacrificing advanced trading capabilities,” Reeves said.

He added that partnerships such as the one with STS Digital assist institutions “build their digital asset strategies on a foundation they can trust.”

STS Digital Expands Institutional Reach

For STS Digital, joining Go Network extends its reach to institutions viewking regulated, custody-first trading models. The firm delivers principal liquidity across spot markets, options, and bespoke structured products, catering to sophisticated trading strategies.

Gideon Hyams, Chairman of STS Digital, said the integration reinforces a market structure aligned with institutional requirements.

“By enabling clients to access STS Digital’s options trading platform while keeping assets securely custodied with BitGo, we are reinforcing a market structure that prioritizes security, transparency, and regulatory alignment,” Hyams said.

He emphasized that “separating execution from custody is essential for institutional adoption,” adding that the partnership allows institutions to trade while maintaining full control over their assets.

Regulation and Trust as Competitive Advantages

Both firms place regulatory alignment at the center of the partnership. STS Digital operates under regulation from the Bermuda Monetary Authority, while BitGo maintains multiple regulated entities globally, including its U.S. national trust bank.

This dual-regulated framework is increasingly significant as institutions face heightened scrutiny from regulators, auditors, and risk committees when .

By anchoring trading and settlement within regulated custody, the partnership aims to reduce barriers to entry for institutions that have been cautious about on-platform exposure and asset commingling risks.

Bridging Traditional Finance and Digital Assets

The structure introduced by Go Network and STS Digital reflects a deliberate effort to bridge traditional financial market practices with digital asset innovation. In traditional markets, custody, execution, and settlement are typically handled by distinct entities, providing checks and balances.

Digital asset markets have historically combined these functions, often within single platforms. While efficient for retail participation, this model has raised concerns among institutions about concentration of risk.

By reintroducing separation of roles, BitGo and STS Digital aim to modernize digital asset trading without sacrificing the risk controls institutions rely on.

Operational Efficiency and Capital Flexibility

Institutions using the integrated setup can maintain assets within BitGo’s custody while accessing multiple trading activities, improving capital efficiency. Assets do not need to be pre-funded at platforms, freeing balance sheets and reducing operational complexity.

The ability to access OTC trading, derivatives, financing, and settlement from a single custody hub aligns with institutional preferences for consolidated workflows and reduced vendor sprawl.

As digital asset strategies become more complex, this type of infrastructure is likely to play a growing role in supporting portfolio diversification and risk management.

Market Implications

The addition of STS Digital to Go Network comes as continues to evolve from exploratory pilots to more sustained allocation strategies.

Rather than focusing solely on new products, market participants are increasingly prioritizing infrastructure that addresses governance, risk, and operational resilience.

Off-platform settlement models, regulated custody, and insured cold storage are emerging as key diverseiators for service providers viewking to attract long-term institutional capital.

Looking Ahead

BitGo and STS Digital describe the partnership as part of a broader effort to raise standards across digital asset markets. By delivering secure, regulated, and institution-friendly trading workflows, they aim to support continued growth in institutional adoption.

As more trading firms, platforms, and liquidity providers join off-platform settlement networks, competition is likely to intensify around who can offer the strongest combination of security, liquidity, and regulatory alignment.

For in 2026 and beyond, partnerships like this underscore a clear message: market structure matters, and the convergence of traditional finance principles with digital asset innovation is accelerating.