Custody and Hidden Flows Reveal the Real Structure of Crypto Ownership

[kevin1]

Possible Family Office With Copper Custody: Arkham

While ownership data is partially visible through filings, the infrastructure behind it tells a deeper story. Coinbase custodies over 80% of US Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF assets, creating a highly concentrated custody layer.

This introduces systemic risk, as multiple funds rely on a small number of custodians. Meanwhile, tokenized finance is expanding this ecosystem. BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, for example, has surpassed $2.8 billion and represents a shift toward holding blockchain infrastructure rather than direct crypto assets.

Beyond disclosures, on-chain data reveals a hidden layer of ownership. Firms like Cumberland DRW have processed over $120 billion in flows, with billions moving to exchanges, ETFs, and unidentified wallets. These unlabeled wallets likely represent family offices or sovereign entities operating outside reporting requirements.

Together, filings and blockchain data show a fragmented but deeply interconnected system, where visible ownership is only part of the full picture.

[ed]

80% custody concentration is a pretty serious structural risk if something goes wrong