TradeTech Eye — Capital Markets Technology News

Copper Enters U.S. Market as SEC-Registered Broker-Dealer and FINRA Member

12 August 2026

Press Release: Copper Enters U.S. Market as SEC-Registered Broker-Dealer and FINRA Member | Featured Image by FF News

Quick Summary

Copper has officially launched in the United States through its entity Copper Markets (US) Inc., securing status as an SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. This move allows Copper to provide qualified custody and collateral mobility services to U.S. institutions navigating the digital asset landscape.

How Does Copper Markets (US) Solve Institutional Custody Challenges?

Copper addresses the critical need for regulated financial infrastructure by establishing itself as a Qualified Custodian in the U.S. market. Through its entity CMUS, the firm provides a suite of services including staking, financing solutions, and OTC services, all within the oversight of the U.S. securities framework. This regulatory milestone ensures that institutional participants can manage blockchain-based assets with the same level of compliance and security expected in traditional capital markets.

  • Qualified Custody: Secure storage for digital and tokenized assets.
  • FINRA Membership: Subject to ongoing U.S. regulatory supervision and conduct rules.
  • Institutional Services: Access to staking and financing solutions tailored for professional traders.

What Role Does the ClearLoop Network Play in U.S. Capital Markets?

The ClearLoop Network serves as a collateral mobility platform that bridges the gap between custodians, prime brokers, and trading venues. By allowing institutions to access liquidity without holding full trading balances on exchanges, Copper reduces counterparty risk and operational fragmentation. This is particularly vital as markets shift toward 24/7 trading cycles, requiring infrastructure that can handle near real-time settlement and automated margin movements.

  • $50bn Monthly Volume: Current notional trading volume handled by the network.
  • Venue Connectivity: Links to Coinbase International, Kraken MTF, Deribit, OKX, and Bybit.
  • Capital Efficiency: Enables institutions to deploy capital more effectively across connected venues.

Why is SEC and FINRA Registration Critical for Tokenization?

By securing broker-dealer registration, Copper positions itself to lead in the tokenized securities space. This status allows the firm to participate in capital raising and institutional financial services that involve blockchain-based representations of traditional securities. The strategy focuses on market structure improvement rather than just crypto custody, aiming to automate how institutions operate across all global financial markets through blockchain-based infrastructure.

FF NEWS TAKE:

Copper’s entry into the U.S. as a FINRA member is a significant development that moves the needle for institutional digital asset adoption. By bridging the gap between high-speed blockchain infrastructure and stringent U.S. regulatory standards, Copper is tackling the "plumbing" issues that have historically held back large-scale capital entry. This move validates the ClearLoop model for the world's largest capital market, signaling a shift toward more resilient, 24/7 market structures.

Companies in this story: Financial Regulatory Authority, Copper Markets (Switzerland) AG, Deribit, CORE Securities Limited, Kraken, Securities and Exchange Commission, Copper, Bybit, Copper Markets (US) Inc., Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Copper Markets (Liechtenstein) AG, NSE International Exchange, OKX

People in this story: Amar Kuchinad