Cantor Fitzgerald has announced partnerships with digital asset custodians Anchorage Digital and Copper.co to support its new global Bitcoin financing business.
The initiative, launching with an initial $2 billion in financing, aims to provide institutional investors the ability to obtain leverage against their Bitcoin assets, thereby enhancing liquidity and investment opportunities.
Generating income from Bitcoin holdings has been problematic over the years, as only proof of stake tokens like Ethereum and Solana can be staked for yield. While Bitcoin can be deposited with lending platforms like Nexo and YouHodler for interest, the risk of business collapses in that sector is unacceptable to institutional investors.
In contrast, Cantor’s collaboration for its Bitcoin Financing business brings together two leading crypto custodians known for their secure digital asset infrastructure. Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., and Copper, a Switzerland-based provider of institutional-grade custody and collateral management solutions, will serve as collateral managers for the business.
The choice of Swiss firm Copper is an interesting one, given Cantor Fitzgerald’s former Chairman Howard Lutnick is now the U.S Secretary of Commerce in a Trump Administration intently focused on making the U.S the center of the Bitcoin universe. The choice may have something to do with Copper’s expansion plans in the U.S, including its appointment this month of New York based Tammy Weinrib as Chief Compliance Officer – with a focus on leading Copper’s licensing efforts and ensuring adherence to U.S. regulatory requirements.
Institutional Growth in Bitcoin Financing
Michael Cunningham, Head of Bitcoin Financing at Cantor Fitzgerald, emphasized the importance of secure custody solutions in the expanding Bitcoin financial ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to partner with Anchorage Digital and Copper, whose industry-leading security solutions will help us deliver best-in-class digital asset custody services to our clients,” Cunningham said. “We are launching with $2 billion in initial financing and expect to substantially grow the operation over time.”
Nathan McCauley, CEO and Co-Founder of Anchorage Digital, highlighted the significance of the partnership in bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance.
“Cantor Fitzgerald and Anchorage Digital share a track record of integrating Bitcoin into the world of traditional finance,” McCauley said. “This partnership marks a major step forward for the Bitcoin financing ecosystem—built on the safety and security of federally regulated digital asset custody.”
Copper’s CEO, Amar Kuchinad, pointed to increasing institutional interest in digital assets as a driving factor behind the partnership.
“Institutional investors are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios and identify secure routes into the digital asset market,” Kuchinad said. “This significant partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald will meet the growing demand for sophisticated financing solutions, with Copper.co’s lending and collateral management platform providing a complete toolkit for secure and strategic asset handling.”
A Major Step for Institutional Crypto Finance
The move comes amid growing demand for institutional Bitcoin adoption, with major financial firms expanding their offerings in the sector. By combining Cantor Fitzgerald’s financial expertise with Anchorage Digital and Copper’s advanced custody solutions, the initiative aims to provide a secure and regulated framework for Bitcoin-backed lending.
The new Bitcoin financing business is expected to expand further, offering greater accessibility and liquidity to institutional investors seeking exposure to digital assets while maintaining high-security standards.
