CryptoReview
Submit listing

Coinbase Prime vs Safeheron

How Coinbase Prime vs Safeheron compare on our ratings, custodian specs, funding, pros and cons.

Coinbase Prime4.1/5
VS
Safeheron3.3/5
Feature
Coinbase PrimeVisit
SafeheronVisit
Ratings
Our score4.1/53.3/5
User ratingNo reviews yetNo reviews yet
Security4.04.0
Compliance4.02.5
Asset support4.03.5
Features4.53.5
Support4.03.0
Specs
KYC requiredNot disclosed Yes
Custody modelNot disclosedMPC, Self-custody software
ClientsNot disclosedInstitutions, Funds, Corporates
Regulated YesNot disclosed
SOC 2 report Yes Yes
InsuranceUp to $320M commercial crime policy (insurer syndicate), shared by all Coinbase customersNot disclosed
Staking YesNot disclosed
API access Yes Yes
Licenses & chartersNYDFS limited purpose trust charter (US), NYDFS BitLicense (US), CSSF MiCA CASP authorization (Luxembourg)Not disclosed
MPCNot disclosed Yes
Cold storage YesNot disclosed
Qualified custodian Yes No
Company
Founded2012—
HeadquartersUnited StatesSingapore
InvestorsNot disclosedNot disclosed
Strengths and weaknesses
Pros
  • Custody at a NYDFS-chartered trust company that acts as a fiduciary under New York Banking Law
  • SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports cover private key management controls
  • Coinbase generally keeps no more than 2% of custodied assets in hot wallets
  • REST, FIX and WebSocket APIs with TWAP and VWAP order types
  • Client always holds one of three key shards, and Safeheron never holds a full key
  • SOC 2 Type II by a Big Four firm, renewed May 2026, plus ISO 27001:2022 audited by DNV
  • Public pricing, with a Starter plan at $5,750 a year
  • Open-source MPC libraries and an offline key recovery tool
Cons
  • The $320 million crime policy is shared by every Coinbase customer
  • $50 million NYDFS penalty in 2023 over anti-money laundering and KYC failures
  • The May 2025 data theft incident led to $311.2 million in cash payments
  • The OCC charter for Coinbase National Trust Company was a conditional approval in April 2026
  • No financial license, so it cannot act as a regulated or qualified custodian
  • Routine signing depends on Safeheron's two cloud-hosted shards being online
  • Starter plan caps teams at two and users at three, with 8x5 support
Best forHedge funds that want custody and execution in one account, ETF sponsors and asset managers that need a New York trust company as custodian, Trading desks that route orders over FIXExchanges and payment service providers running hot wallets, OTC desks and brokers that want to keep control of their keys, Funds and asset managers needing MPC treasury wallets

Highlighted cells show the stronger value in each row. Data comes from each provider's site and public sources; check details before you sign up.