Sygnum Bank and Debifi Unveil MultiSYG: A Shared-Control Bitcoin Loan Platform for Institutional Clients

In a move set to redefine Bitcoin-backed lending, Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum has partnered with crypto lending startup Debifi to launch MultiSYG, a pioneering platform that allows borrowers to retain partial control over their Bitcoin collateral through a multi-signature (multi-sig) wallet system. The collaboration combines Sygnum’s regulated banking infrastructure with Debifi’s blockchain expertise, introducing a new era of transparency and security to institutional crypto lending.

Scheduled for launch in the first half of 2026, MultiSYG is designed for institutional and high-net-worth clients seeking access to Bitcoin-backed loans without fully relinquishing custody of their assets. The platform’s architecture ensures that any movement of collateral requires three of five authorized signatures, involving Sygnum, the borrower, and independent validators. This structure mitigates counterparty risk and eliminates the potential for rehypothecation, the controversial practice of reusing pledged collateral to support other loans—a key factor behind several failures in the centralized lending sector.

Under the MultiSYG model, borrowers maintain on-chain visibility and partial control of their collateral at all times. Every transaction is verifiable on the blockchain, providing real-time proof of reserves and compliance with regulatory standards. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional custodial lending, where clients must transfer full control of their assets to the lender, often with limited oversight.

Debifi CEO Max Kei emphasized that the initiative reflects rising demand for non-custodial financial products that merge blockchain transparency with institutional-grade service. “Borrowers shouldn’t need to trust a custodian blindly,” Kei said. “Our goal is to empower users with both security and accountability.”

Pascal Eberle, who leads the MultiSYG project at Sygnum, described the platform as “the best of both worlds — the ability to hold your own keys while accessing regulated banking products and white-glove service.” Eberle added that clients will benefit from competitive pricing, flexible drawdowns, and customizable loan durations, all while retaining cryptographic proof of ownership and partial access to their Bitcoin holdings.

The partnership marks another step in Sygnum’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) through compliant, blockchain-based solutions. As a licensed Swiss bank specializing in digital assets, Sygnum has built a reputation for integrating blockchain security principles into its core banking operations, offering products that adhere to stringent regulatory frameworks while embracing decentralization’s transparency benefits.

With MultiSYG, Sygnum and Debifi are effectively setting a new benchmark for secure, regulated Bitcoin lending, positioning themselves at the forefront of a post-custodial era in institutional finance. By blending bank-grade oversight with cryptographic control, the two companies aim to build lasting trust in a sector still recovering from the collapses of several centralized lenders in recent years.