Custodia Bank

Custodia Bank is a Wyoming-based financial institution purpose-built to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset economy. Founded in 2020 by Wall Street veteran Caitlin Long, Custodia—formerly known as Avanti Bank & Trust—is a fully compliant bank that integrates U.S. dollar services with secure access to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It is structured to serve corporate and institutional clients with a focus on full-reserve banking and regulatory transparency.

Crypto and Bitcoin Integration

Custodia has been a vocal proponent of Bitcoin and decentralized digital assets, positioning itself as a leader in compliant crypto banking. The bank offers U.S. dollar accounts alongside custodial and settlement infrastructure for digital assets, including Bitcoin. It operates under Wyoming’s Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) charter, allowing it to provide crypto custody without engaging in fractional reserve lending. This enables Custodia to offer on-chain, segregated custody and real-time settlement of crypto assets, something few traditional banks are able to do.

Products and Services

Custodia’s core services include regulated custody of digital assets, U.S. dollar deposit accounts, and secure payment solutions for institutions involved in blockchain finance. The bank’s “Digital Asset Custody” system is engineered to allow clients to hold Bitcoin in a manner that’s both secure and compliant. Custodia is also developing a programmable U.S. dollar product, known as Avit, designed for on-chain payments and smart contract functionality.

Regulatory Status

As a Wyoming SPDI, Custodia is subject to rigorous state-level oversight. It has also applied for a Federal Reserve master account to gain direct access to the U.S. payment system—an effort that has drawn national attention and legal debate over crypto banking regulation. Despite regulatory resistance, Custodia maintains its commitment to providing compliant, full-reserve banking services for the digital asset industry.

Mission and Vision

Custodia’s mission is to modernize banking by creating infrastructure that is transparent, compliant, and compatible with both fiat currencies and decentralized assets. With a strong emphasis on Bitcoin, blockchain interoperability, and financial integrity, Custodia envisions a secure and legally sound pathway for institutions to access the benefits of digital finance.