Bitget to launch Open Custody Network for trading with independently held assets

Bitget said it will roll out an Open Custody Network, or OCN, built around the idea of "Assets in Bank, Tradings on Bitget." According to the company, the network is designed to connect banks, custodians and other professional financial institutions with Bitget’s trading infrastructure, rather than keeping custody and execution inside the same centralized exchange structure. The company said OCN combines independent asset custody, bank- and institution-grade security protections, integrated exchange trading services and capital efficiency. Through an asset-mapping mechanism, the network links independently custodied assets with trading services, allowing eligible users to keep separate control over custody while accessing Bitget’s spot, margin and futures markets. Bitget said those users will also be able to tap exchange-level liquidity and unified trading services. Bitget added that the model is intended to lower the barrier to market participation and broaden access to financial services on a more equal basis. CEO Gracy Chen said OCN is meant to break with the traditional requirement that users must place assets on an exchange before using its trading services, while still giving them access to liquidity and efficient capital use.