“Where will the asset be held?” is a reasonable first question. The next question is who has authority over it, under which conditions.
Escrow, institutional custody and a private wallet describe different arrangements. Understanding the actual commitment requires the documents and operating rules behind the label.
Our overview describes several control models across the XSWAP family. The selected route and accepted file determine which one applies.
Follow the authority
For an escrow arrangement, the agreement should identify the holding entity, named client, permitted instructions and release conditions. Where institutional custody is used, the approved account or wallet and the applicable controls need to be clear.
A client should understand who can initiate or authorise a movement and what evidence is required. The relevant receiving details should be independently verified before any authorised transfer. With XSWAP, we have two routes when using custody. Fireblocks or escrow with a sole client signatory
These are practical questions about the client's rights and obligations, not simply terminology.
Retained control still has conditions
Private-wallet routes can allow the client to retain wallet control while committing to maintain the agreed position. Quiet-wallet and minimum-balance conditions can restrict use during the term.
The ability to see a balance does not mean the amount is free to be used elsewhere. The contract should make that distinction understandable.
No enquiry should require disclosure of private keys, seed phrases, passwords or remote access credentials.
Read protection in its actual scope
Where insurance is part of a proposed arrangement, the policy and contract determine what is covered, when it applies and which exclusions or conditions exist.
Neither the word “insured” nor the presence of an escrow account establishes that every outcome is protected. Programme, counterparty and settlement risks still need to be assessed for the specific file.
Our front-office role is intake, qualification and structuring. The appointed execution, custody and legal parties operate under their own documents.
If you have a qualifying position, include your current holding arrangement and custody requirements in the initial summary. That lets us assess which routes could meet both the commercial objective and the control commitment you can accept.
Control, custody, release rights and any insurance are governed by the applicable executed documents and independently verified parties.