Institutional Bitcoin Custody for Everyday Canadians
What is Bitcoin custody?
How DWM Canada custody works
How your Bitcoin is protected
Segregated Accounts
Insolvency Protection
No Rehypothecation
Canadian Regulatory Oversight
Insurance Coverage
Why choose institutional custody?
Who holds your Bitcoin?
The custodian is independent from DWM Canada, operates under Canadian regulatory oversight, and uses institutional-grade security protocols including multi-signature cold storage and segregated account architecture.
You receive the Bitcoin address where your funds are held, giving you full transparency. Verify anytime that your Bitcoin is exactly where it should be.
DWM Canada selected this custodian for their proven track record, regulatory compliance, and commitment to transparency—ensuring your Bitcoin is protected under Canadian law with the security standards institutions demand.
Custody fees & pricing
Custody Fee Structure
| Assets Under Custody | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $100,000 | 0.75% |
| $100,000 – $1,000,000 | 0.50% |
| $1,000,000 – $5,000,000 | 0.35% |
| $5,000,000+ | 0.25% |
Fees accrue daily and are settled monthly or upon withdrawal if unpaid.
Minimum fee: $25 per month
What's Included
No Setup Fees. No Lockups.
Transaction & Network Fees
Loan Collateral Custody
How to get started
Requirements
The Process
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
How does borrowing against Bitcoin work?
You transfer Bitcoin to a qualified Canadian custodian as collateral and receive a loan in Canadian dollars—typically 50% of your Bitcoin’s value.
You keep full exposure to Bitcoin’s price. When you repay the loan plus interest, your Bitcoin is returned to you. No sale, no capital gains tax event.
Do I have to sell my Bitcoin to access liquidity?
No. You pledge your Bitcoin as collateral and receive a loan. Your Bitcoin stays intact, you maintain price exposure, and you avoid triggering a capital gains tax event. When you repay the loan, your Bitcoin is returned.
What are the loan terms?
– 50% LTV (borrow $50,000 against $100,000 of Bitcoin)
– 12% annual interest rate
– 1% origination fee ($250 minimum)
– 1-year term
– No prepayment penalty
What happens if Bitcoin's price drops?
If Bitcoin’s price drops significantly and your loan-to-value ratio reaches 80-90%, we issue a margin call. You’re responsible for monitoring your loan health and can add more Bitcoin collateral or pay down part of the loan to restore your LTV. If you don’t respond, we liquidate your collateral to repay the loan.
Who holds my Bitcoin?
Your Bitcoin is held by a qualified third-party Canadian custodian in fully segregated accounts. You retain complete beneficial ownership. For custody-only accounts, you control withdrawals. For loan collateral, the custodian holds Bitcoin until loan repayment.
Is DWM Canada regulated?
DWM Canada is in the process of obtaining FINTRAC MSB registration and OSC licensing. We are not yet a licensed or registered entity. We will update our regulatory status publicly as approvals are obtained.
How fast can I get funded?
Most clients go from application to funding in 1-2 business days. Once your Bitcoin collateral is confirmed with the custodian, your loan is funded and CAD is deposited to your Canadian bank account.
Is there a minimum or maximum loan amount?
While there’s no formal minimum, the origination fee is 1% or $250, whichever is greater. Most clients borrow $25,000 or more. No maximum, though six-figure loans require additional review.
Can I pay off my loan early?
Yes. There is no prepayment penalty. You can pay off your loan early and receive your Bitcoin back sooner. Interest is calculated monthly, so early repayment reduces your total interest cost.
How do I repay my loan?
No monthly payments required. Simply repay the full loan amount (principal plus accumulated interest) at the end of the 1-year term. You can also pay off the loan early with no penalty. Once repaid, your Bitcoin collateral is released back to your wallet.
Who can apply?
DWM Canada serves Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. You need a Canadian bank account, valid government ID, and Bitcoin to pledge as collateral. Both individuals and corporations can apply.
How do I monitor my loan health?
Track your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio through your DWM Canada account dashboard. As Bitcoin’s price fluctuates, your LTV changes. We’ll notify you if your LTV reaches margin call thresholds (80-90%), but you’re responsible for monitoring your position and taking action to maintain a healthy LTV.
Ready to secure your Bitcoin?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bitcoin custody?
Bitcoin custody is the secure storage of your Bitcoin by a qualified third party. Instead of managing private keys yourself, a professional custodian holds your Bitcoin using institutional-grade security while you retain beneficial ownership of your Bitcoin at all times.
How is my Bitcoin stored?
Your Bitcoin is held in segregated accounts using multi-signature cold storage protocols. Client assets are kept separate from other clients and from DWM Canada’s operational assets. Where applicable, you receive the Bitcoin address or on-chain reference used to verify your holdings, allowing you to independently confirm custody on the blockchain.
Can I withdraw my Bitcoin at any time?
For custody-only accounts, yes — you control withdrawals and can move your Bitcoin to any address you specify. If your Bitcoin is being used as collateral for a loan, it remains in custody until the loan is fully repaid, at which point it is released back to you.
What happens if DWM Canada goes out of business?
Your Bitcoin is held by a third-party custodian in segregated accounts, legally separate from DWM Canada’s corporate assets. Client assets are not available to creditors and are intended to be returned to clients in accordance with applicable law.
How do custody fees work?
Custody fees are calculated as a percentage of assets held and charged on a tiered basis ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% annually, depending on account size.
Fees accrue daily and are settled monthly or upon withdrawal if unpaid. The minimum custody fee is $25 per month. If you use your Bitcoin as collateral for a DWM Canada loan, custody fees are waived while the loan is active.
Is my Bitcoin insured?
The custodian maintains insurance coverage for custodied assets, subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions. Insurance does not cover all risks, including market price volatility or losses resulting from your own actions.
Insurance details are available upon request.
Can I verify my Bitcoin hasn't been moved or used?
Yes. You can verify on the blockchain that your Bitcoin has not been moved, lent out, or rehypothecated without your authorization. Custodied assets remain transparent and auditable on-chain.
Who can open a custody account?
Custody accounts are available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as eligible corporations, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
You will need valid government identification, proof of address, and Bitcoin to deposit.
What happens if I have unpaid custody fees?
Custody fees accrue daily and are displayed in your account dashboard. If fees remain unpaid, they must be settled before a withdrawal, transfer, or account closure is completed. We do not access or use your Bitcoin without authorization. Outstanding fees are disclosed in advance and settled transparently.
Do you ever use, lend, or rehypothecate my Bitcoin?
No. Your Bitcoin is never lent out, rehypothecated, or used for DWM Canada’s own purposes. Assets remain fully segregated and under custody at all times, except where you explicitly authorize their use, such as pledging Bitcoin as collateral for a loan.