Blockstream, a global leader in bitcoin infrastructure and financial technology solutions, today announced the launch of an advanced enterprise custody solution for digital assets and an expanded collaboration with Thales, a leading provider of advanced technologies and cybersecurity solutions. The solution integrates Thales’ hardware-backed security into the Blockstream Enterprise platform. The integration combines hardware-based key protection with a distributed approach to signing authority to provide elevated security benefits for institutional digital asset operations.
Blockstream's approach allows Secure Multi-Party Computation (Secure-MPC), combining the distributed protection of MPC with the hardware-level security of Thales hardware security modules (HSMs). Unlike conventional MPC solutions, which may expose sensitive cryptographic operations to general-purpose computing environments, Blockstream's Secure-MPC executes the signing protocol entirely within the HSM's secure environment. This hardware-secured implementation of MPC ensures sensitive key material remains protected throughout the transaction lifecycle, including during signing, significantly reducing the risk of compromise and establishing a new standard for institutional digital asset custody.
"Financial institutions require secure, reliable infrastructure as they integrate bitcoin into their existing operations," said Michael Minkevich, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blockstream. "Our collaboration with Thales builds on a two-year relationship to combine advanced hardware security with Blockstream's bitcoin engineering expertise. The launch of this custody solution represents an important step in delivering secure, institutional-grade infrastructure for managing digital assets."
The custody solution is delivered through Blockstream Enterprise, the company's institutional platform designed to simplify the deployment, management and scaling of bitcoin-based financial infrastructure. This new offering provides institutions with hardware-backed key protection and distributed transaction signing capabilities, supporting secure custody operations and integration with existing financial systems.
The solution also incorporates Blockstream's long-term investment in advanced cryptographic technologies, including FROST (Flexible Round-Optimized Schnorr Threshold Signatures), a threshold signing protocol that enables multiple authorized parties to jointly produce a signature without reconstructing the underlying private key. Combined with hardware-backed protection, these capabilities provide institutions with a security architecture designed to reduce reliance on external cryptographic processes and strengthen control over digital asset transactions.
"We have invested heavily in advanced cryptographic technologies, including FROST, to address the security requirements of institutional bitcoin custody," said Jeff Boortz, Chief Product Officer of Blockstream. "By moving MPC execution inside the HSM, this architecture addresses critical security risks while preserving practical and popular signing capabilities valued by organizations who manage digital assets."
About Blockstream
Blockstream is a global leader in bitcoin infrastructure and financial technology. Founded in 2014, the company develops technology and provides services across bitcoin custody, settlement, payments, asset issuance, and self-custody. Its products and technologies include the Liquid Network, Elements Enterprise, Simplicity, Core Lightning, Blockstream Jade, and the Blockstream App. Through Blockstream Consulting Services, the company works with financial institutions to design and implement bitcoin-based financial infrastructure. Blockstream serves institutions, businesses, developers and individuals around the world.
Media Contact
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