European Depositary Bank, a company in the Apex Group, is collaborating with Zodia Custody to support development of a digital sub-custody service that will avoid the need for institutions to build infrastructure or adopt new business models as demand for digital assets grows.
Zodia Custody is a digital assets platform that includes shareholders and investors such as Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, National Australia Bank, and Emirates NBD. It obtained a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license from the CSSF in December 2025.
Apex stated that the collaboration followed its ongoing digital assets strategy, as it will support “EDB’s work to secure the permissions required to act as a digital asset custodian.” Regulatory approvals are being sought for EDB in Luxembourg (CSSF), Ireland (CBI) and Malta (MFSA).
“Once integrated, Zodia Custody’s platform and Apex Group’s depositary and administration services will allow clients to access digital assets through a single, integrated provider – reducing operational complexity, accelerating time to market and enabling institutions to extend digital asset services without building parallel infrastructure from the ground up.”
The Zodia Custody offering was picked out by EDB following an RFP and RFI process. Apex notes its review of different providers assessed “institutional resilience, regulatory readiness, technological robustness and the ability to scale across key jurisdictions.”
Once integrated, Zodia Custody’s platform and Apex Group’s depositary and administration services will allow clients to access digital assets through a single, integrated provider, Apex noted.
David Rhydderch, global head of Financial Solutions at Apex Group, commented: “Our clients want access to digital assets in a way that is secure, transparent and aligned with regulatory expectations. Zodia Custody brings an institutional standard of custody that complements our model and supports the service we aim to build. This planned collaboration positions us to support clients as the digital asset market moves further into a regulated environment.”
Craig Perrin, managing director FI Solutions at Zodia Custody, commented: “For digital assets to move to the mainstream of institutional finance, the technology and capabilities supporting them must meet the standards of traditional custody. Sub-custody is not just an extension of capability, it is a key enabler that allows financial institutions to participate without redesigning their operating model from scratch.”
“Through our collaboration with EDB, we are enabling a trusted digital sub-custody model that integrates established depositary and fund administration frameworks. This approach provides institutions with greater certainty, strong safeguards for investors and a clearer pathway for digital assets to operate within the core architecture of global financial markets.”
