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Head-to-Head Comparison

Unchained vs Fidelity Digital Assets

Scores last updated September 22, 2026

85
Unchained
A-Distributed
Collaborative Multisig
76
Fidelity Digital Assets
BSPOF
Qualified Custodian
Unchained leads overall with a score of 85/100. Unchained wins in 5 categories, Fidelity Digital Assets wins in 0.
Custody & SecurityEase of UseFeesFeaturesTransparencySupportUnchainedFidelity Digital Assets
Category
Unchained
A-
Fidelity Digital Assets
B
Overall Score
85
76
Custody & Security
35% weight
90
90
Ease of Use
20% weight
80
65
Fees
15% weight
75
72
Features
10% weight
86
55
Transparency
10% weight
85
75
Support
10% weight
85
75

Who each is for

Fit follows the custody model, not the brand.

Unchained

Collaborative multisig

You hold most keys, the provider holds one, and no single party can move funds alone.

A good fit for
  • Technical-enough holders who want real control with a safety net — comfortable with hardware wallets, firmware updates, and a signing ceremony
  • People whose main fear is their own single point of failure: one lost device no longer means lost coins
  • Holders who want to verify rather than trust: the quorum is inspectable on-chain
The wrong choice for
  • The non-technical spouse, parent, or heir who will one day hold this alone — if they cannot run a signing ceremony, the arrangement quietly becomes single-provider custody the day you are gone
  • Anyone who will not maintain it: devices need firmware, backups need checking, and vendor diversity is your job, not the provider's
  • Holders under physical-security threat: keys at home mean the threat model includes your address
Fidelity Digital Assets

Qualified custodian

A regulated institution holds keys in segregated accounts under a legal framework built for it.

A good fit for
  • Entities that must satisfy a regulator, an auditor, or an investment-committee mandate
  • Holders who want institutional process — SOC audits, segregation, named accountability — and accept institutional control
  • Estates and trusts whose lawyers need a counterparty that courts already understand
The wrong choice for
  • Anyone whose core requirement is that no single institution can move the coins — one institution can
  • Privacy-focused holders: the custodian, its regulator, and its subpoena inbox all know your position
  • Small balances: minimums and fees are built for institutions
Category Breakdown
Custody & Security
35% of overall score
90
Unchained
vs
90
Fidelity Digital Assets
Ease of Use
20% of overall score
80
Unchained
vs
65
Fidelity Digital Assets
Fees
15% of overall score
75
Unchained
vs
72
Fidelity Digital Assets
Features
10% of overall score
86
Unchained
vs
55
Fidelity Digital Assets
Transparency
10% of overall score
85
Unchained
vs
75
Fidelity Digital Assets
Support
10% of overall score
85
Unchained
vs
75
Fidelity Digital Assets
Fee Comparison
Unchained
$250/yr + trading
Min: $0
Fidelity Digital Assets
Custom
Min: Institutional
Custody Features
Unchained
Multisig
✕Multi-Institution
No Single Point of Failure
Segregated Accounts
Proof of Reserves
✕Insurance
Regulated Custodian
✕No Physical Exposure
✕Multi-Jurisdiction
Inheritance
✕Segregated Insurance
IRA
Lending
Buy/Sell
✕Dynasty Trusts
Fidelity Digital Assets
✕Multisig
✕Multi-Institution
✕No Single Point of Failure
Segregated Accounts
✕Proof of Reserves
Insurance
Regulated Custodian
No Physical Exposure
✕Multi-Jurisdiction
✕Inheritance
✕Segregated Insurance
IRA
✕Lending
Buy/Sell
✕Dynasty Trusts
Our Analysis

Unchained vs Fidelity Digital Assets: What the Data Shows

Unchained and Fidelity Digital Assets both operate in the dedicated custody space, but they take fundamentally different approaches to how your bitcoin is held. The scores are close — Unchained at 85/100 (A-) and Fidelity Digital Assets at 76/100 (B). When the gap is this narrow, the details matter: custody model, single points of failure, and the fine print on fees.

Where Each Platform Wins

On custody and security, these two are within 0 points of each other (90 vs. 90). When custody scores are this close, look at the specifics: key management model, insurance coverage, and whether either platform has a single point of failure. Unchained's strongest advantage is in features (86 vs. 55), where Unchained's product breadth and tooling makes a measurable difference.

The Custody Question

Here's the key difference: Unchained has no single point of failure (Collaborative Multisig), while Fidelity Digital Assets does (Qualified Custodian). This matters because a single-point-of-failure model means one compromised entity — whether through a hack, insolvency, or government action — could result in total loss of funds. History has proven this risk is not theoretical. FTX, Celsius, and BlockFi all represented single points of failure for their users.

Bottom Line

Unchained edges out Fidelity Digital Assets by 9 points. It's a close call, and the right choice depends on your specific situation — how much bitcoin you're holding, how often you need access, and whether you prioritize 2-of-3 multisig where client holds 2 keys. strong inheritance and ira products. lending available. over backed by fidelity's brand and balance sheet. regulated. soc 2 type 2.. Keep in mind these platforms target different audiences — Unchained is built for self-sovereign, while Fidelity Digital Assets serves tradfi. One thing to watch with Fidelity Digital Assets: single custodian. traditional finance approach to a novel asset class..

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Unchained or Fidelity Digital Assets?

Based on our six-category scoring methodology, Unchained scores higher at 85/100 compared to 76/100. The biggest differentiator is custody security, which accounts for 35% of the overall score. However, the right choice depends on your individual needs — review the category breakdown above.

Is Unchained safe for storing Bitcoin?

Unchained scored 90/100 on custody and security in our methodology. It has no single point of failure, distributing custody across multiple entities. Its custody model is classified as Collaborative Multisig. Always verify these details and do your own research.

Does Fidelity Digital Assets have a single point of failure?

Yes. Fidelity Digital Assets uses a Qualified Custodian model, which means a single compromised entity could put your bitcoin at risk. This is a structural concern for long-term holders.

What are the fees for Unchained vs Fidelity Digital Assets?

Unchained charges $250/yr + trading. Fidelity Digital Assets charges Custom. Unchained scored 75/100 on fees versus 72/100 for Fidelity Digital Assets in our methodology.

Frequently asked questions
Which is better for inheritance, Unchained or Fidelity Digital Assets?+

Unchained offers dedicated inheritance or beneficiary features. Fidelity Digital Assets does not advertise a dedicated inheritance feature. Match the mechanism, whether beneficiary designation, trust titling, or key inheritance, to your estate plan.

Which has insurance, Unchained or Fidelity Digital Assets?+

Unchained's custody insurance is not publicly disclosed. Fidelity Digital Assets's custody insurance is not publicly disclosed. Custody insurance covers specific named events up to shared limits, not price loss or every failure mode. Verify current terms before relying on coverage.

Which requires me to hold my own keys, Unchained or Fidelity Digital Assets?+

Unchained involves the holder in key control. Fidelity Digital Assets manages keys for you; you hold none. This is the core structural difference to weigh.

Unchained Full ReviewFidelity Digital Assets Full Review