IBM and Dfns unveiled Digital Asset Haven, a new crypto-focused digital asset platform to offer custody, settlement and blockchain services to financial institutions, governments and companies.
IBM said it worked with Dfns to build the platform, combining enterprise-grade infrastructure with specialised wallet tooling. The partnership is presented as a way to give clients configurable custody and key-management options while separating settlement logic from signature custody.
The announcement lists custody, settlement and blockchain services as core offerings aimed at institutions and public sector clients. The design emphasises integration with existing financial operations rather than consumer-facing features.
Custody, compliance and integration with legacy systems are central concerns for banks and sovereign actors. Independent audits and verifiable key-management practices are prerequisites for institutional trust.
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) warned that “robust custody frameworks and clear regulatory standards are essential to establish settlement finality,” BIS commentary. “Clear custody frameworks will determine whether institutions commit,” industry analysts observe.
Pilots will require audited controls and interoperable standards before production settlement can scale. Tip: Watch for third-party audits and regulatory disclosures that clarify custody models and settlement finality.
Industry observers expect incremental uptake from financial institutions rather than immediate mass adoption. IBM’s scale coupled with Dfns’ wallet expertise could accelerate enterprise pilots and clarify custody pathways for institutional clients.
In brief, progress will be gradual and contingent on legal clarity and auditability. The report underscores that institutional demand for robust crypto services is rising as firms pilot new settlement and custody models.


