Anchorage Empowers Institutional Bitcoin DeFi Custody via BOB
Anchorage Digital, the only U.S. federally chartered crypto bank, has launched a regulated custody service for Build On Bitcoin (BOB). The partnership gives institutions compliant access to Bitcoin DeFi via Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., Anchorage Digital Singapore, and the Porto self-custody wallet. BOB’s hybrid zero-knowledge rollup combines Bitcoin’s security with Ethereum DeFi functionality.
With Bitcoin DeFi TVL rising from $4.6 billion in November 2024 to $9.33 billion today, peaking at $11.5 billion in October 2025, Anchorage aims to drive further institutional adoption. BOB currently holds over $250 million in TVL, while protocols like Babylon lead with $5.68 billion.
Anchorage Digital’s regulated custody lowers compliance barriers and boosts liquidity, giving institutions secure entry into yield-bearing Bitcoin DeFi activities. Major clients such as BlackRock and Cantor Fitzgerald underscore growing demand. The service is expected to catalyze more institutional participation and market stability in the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem.
Bullish
This partnership is bullish for Bitcoin DeFi because it establishes a secure, regulated on-ramp for institutions. In the short term, regulated custody from Anchorage Digital will likely boost institutional inflows into BOB and related DeFi protocols, increasing liquidity and demand. Over the long term, compliant infrastructure reduces risk barriers, paving the way for broader institutional adoption of Bitcoin DeFi, which can support sustained TVL growth and network effects across the ecosystem.