PROOFOFCUSTODY
Scores
Incidents
Learn
About
Get the Report
PROOFOFCUSTODY

The independent scoring system for Bitcoin custody. Every platform scored and ranked.

$1B+ in assets under custody expertise

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

PLATFORM SCORES
All ScoresCompareMethodologyIndependence StandardDataCustody Assessment
LEARN
Bitcoin 101Custody GuidesCustody InsuranceIs Your Setup Safe?Custody TimelineIncidentsFAQQuiz
COMPANY
AboutAuthorsEditorial IndependenceChangelogCorrections
RESOURCES
PodcastPressReport
CONNECT
Twitter / XLinkedInYouTubehello@proofofcustody.io
2026 Proof of Custody. Published by Onramp Bitcoin. Editorial Independence.PrivacyTermsproofofcustody.io
Back to Scores

Paxos

B+
NY Trust Company (State-Regulated)SPOFInstitutions & Issuance Partners

Paxos is a NY DFS-regulated trust company that issues stablecoins (USDP, PYUSD for PayPal) and tokenized gold (PAXG). Reserves are held in FDIC-insured bank deposits and short-duration US Treasuries. Monthly attestations are published by WithumSmith+Brown. Paxos operates as stablecoin infrastructure — powering PayPal's PYUSD and providing enterprise tokenization services.

Visit Paxos
By Steve L, Editorial Lead·Reviewed by Proof of Custody Editorial
·Last updated Mar 2, 2026
78
Custody & SecurityEase of UseFeesFeaturesTransparencySupport
Score Breakdown
Custody & Security35% weight
82
Ease of Use20% weight
72
Fees15% weight
75
Features10% weight
78
Transparency10% weight
88
Support10% weight
72
Assessment
Key Strength

NY DFS-regulated trust company. Issues PYUSD for PayPal, USDP, and Pax Gold (PAXG). Monthly attestations by WithumSmith+Brown. Strongest regulatory position of any stablecoin issuer.

Primary Risk

Single entity risk. Paxos was ordered by NY DFS to stop minting BUSD in 2023. B2B focus means limited direct consumer access.

Pros
  • +Strongest regulatory position (NY DFS trust)
  • +Monthly attestations by reputable auditor
  • +Powers PayPal's PYUSD
  • +Segregated customer reserves
  • +GENIUS Act compliant architecture
Cons
  • -Ordered to stop BUSD issuance by NY DFS
  • -Smaller market cap than USDC/USDT
  • -B2B focused, limited direct consumer access
  • -Single jurisdiction (New York)
Custody Features
✕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
Fees
Custom institutional pricing
MinimumInstitutional
Security
Key Management
Institutional trust infrastructure
SOC Compliance
SOC 2 Type 2
Penetration Testing
Regulatory
✓Qualified Custodian
Jurisdiction
New York, USA
Licenses
NY DFS Trust Charter, Singapore MPI License
Custody Independence Standard
0 of 4 pillars met
Vendor independenceNot met
Entropy independenceNot publicly documented
Control independenceNot met
Operational independenceDepends on configuration

1 independent party or system must fail before a Paxos holder's bitcoin is at risk.

  • •A single institution controls the keys, so its compromise, insolvency, or unilateral action is sufficient to put funds at risk.
  • •Regulated status and segregation can protect assets in insolvency, but they do not create independence of control.
How this is assessed →
Insurance

Paxos's custody insurance is not publicly disclosed.

Frequently asked questions
Is Paxos safe?+

Paxos uses a ny trust company (state-regulated) model and scores 78/100 in our independent review, including 82/100 on custody security. One institution can move funds, which is a single point of failure. Safety depends on your priorities; see the full score breakdown above.

Is my bitcoin insured at Paxos?+

Paxos's custody insurance is not publicly disclosed in a form we can verify. Where it exists, custody insurance covers specific named events up to shared limits and does not cover price loss. Confirm coverage in writing before relying on it.

What happens to my bitcoin if Paxos fails?+

Because Paxos holds custody through a single institution, recovery in a failure would run through that institution's bankruptcy or resolution process and depends on whether assets were segregated and properly titled. This is the concentration risk of single-custodian models.

Does Paxos support inheritance?+

Paxos does not advertise a dedicated inheritance or beneficiary feature in the data we track. Confirm current options with the provider, since custody inheritance handling changes.

Compare

Paxos vs Others

vs OnrampA
90/100
vs Onramp FinanceA
89/100
vs UnchainedA-
85/100
vs Onramp LendingA-
84/100