Core Foundation, developer of the Core blockchain, has partnered with digital asset custodian Hex Trust to launch a new institutional staking solution for Bitcoin (BTC) and Core (CORE) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. The initiative marks a milestone in bridging traditional finance with emerging Bitcoin-based decentralized finance (BTCFi).
The service leverages Core’s Dual Staking mechanism, which enables institutions to timelock BTC or CORE to help secure the network while earning on-chain rewards. This design provides flexibility, as participants can choose to contribute Bitcoin — the world’s most widely held digital asset — or CORE, the native token of the Core blockchain. Importantly, this staking process allows institutions to generate yield without selling their BTC or relying on unregulated platforms, addressing a key barrier for many risk-conscious investors.
Hex Trust, which operates under regulatory licenses across multiple jurisdictions, provides the custody framework for the new service. Its platform ensures assets are secured under institutional-grade safeguards, offering both compliance assurances and transparency. By integrating Core’s staking system directly into its custody infrastructure, Hex Trust enables financial institutions such as banks, asset managers, and family offices to access blockchain-native yields in a regulated environment.
Bringing BTCFi to Global Institutions
The partnership reflects the growing demand for Bitcoin-based financial services, often referred to as BTCFi. While decentralized finance has traditionally been built on Ethereum and other programmable blockchains, Core is positioning itself as a leading infrastructure layer that connects Bitcoin liquidity to on-chain applications. The Dual Staking model represents a step toward unlocking Bitcoin’s untapped utility, enabling institutions to earn rewards while contributing to blockchain security.
Institutional clients will have access to integrated tools within Hex Trust’s custody dashboard, including a live rewards calculator, automated reporting, and compliance-ready documentation. These features are designed to meet the operational and regulatory standards expected by large financial entities. For institutions in APAC and MENA, regions that are rapidly building digital asset infrastructure, the offering provides a new gateway into yield-generating blockchain strategies.
The move also signals broader momentum for institutional adoption of staking services. As regulators in key jurisdictions clarify frameworks for digital assets, institutional investors are increasingly seeking secure, compliant ways to diversify portfolios with blockchain-native products. With Bitcoin as the anchor asset, the initiative by Core and Hex Trust addresses both demand for yield and the need for regulatory-grade infrastructure.
A Milestone for Institutional Digital Asset Services
By launching institutional Bitcoin staking in APAC and MENA, Core and Hex Trust aim to capture two regions with significant growth potential. APAC has been at the forefront of digital asset innovation, with markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea shaping regulatory and technological adoption. Meanwhile, MENA is emerging as a digital asset hub, with countries like the United Arab Emirates leading in licensing frameworks for exchanges, custodians, and fintech operators.
The collaboration between Core and Hex Trust offers institutions in these markets an opportunity to engage with Bitcoin staking in a secure and compliant manner. It not only strengthens Core’s role in the evolution of BTCFi but also positions Hex Trust as a leading custodian capable of supporting complex blockchain-native financial products.
As institutional demand for yield and exposure to digital assets grows, partnerships like this are expected to play a crucial role in expanding the scope of blockchain adoption. Core and Hex Trust’s initiative demonstrates how collaborative infrastructure can bring Bitcoin closer to mainstream financial services, offering institutions a bridge into the next era of digital finance.
