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Unchained

Collaborative custody bitcoin financial services platform

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This content is generated by RD AI and is for reference only

Unchained is a company focused on bitcoin financial services, with its core business based on a collaborative custody model. This model uses multisignature (multisig) technology, where the user, Unchained, and a partner institution (such as a bank) each hold a key, so no single entity can move funds independently, reducing counterparty risk. Services include: bitcoin-backed loans (users retain ownership of their bitcoin while obtaining dollar liquidity, without rehypothecation), bitcoin IRAs (retirement accounts supporting bitcoin investment in traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs, with users holding keys), trading execution (buying bitcoin directly to users' cold storage wallets), and donor-advised funds (DAFs, supporting bitcoin donations with deferred disposition).

Founded:
2017
Location:
United States

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About Unchained

Unchained is a Bitcoin-native financial services company offering collaborative custody (multisig), Bitcoin-backed lending, and retirement accounts (IRAs). Its core value proposition is that clients retain control of their private keys through a 2-of-3 multisig structure, where Unchained holds one key, the client holds another, and a third key is held by a trusted partner. This design eliminates single points of failure and reduces counterparty risk.

The company addresses a key market pain point: Bitcoin holders often face a dilemma between maintaining self-custody and accessing liquidity. Unchained solves this by enabling loans collateralized by Bitcoin without requiring the borrower to surrender control of their coins. The collateral remains in a multisig vault, verifiable on-chain, and is never rehypothecated—a critical differentiator in an industry where lending platforms have historically misused customer assets.

Over the past six months (February to August 2026), Unchained has focused on expanding its service offerings and improving user experience. The company has deepened its integration of IRA products, allowing clients to hold Bitcoin in tax-advantaged retirement accounts while maintaining multisig security. It has also enhanced its lending platform, streamlining the application process and providing clearer collateral management tools. Additionally, Unchained has continued to emphasize educational content, helping clients understand the nuances of self-custody and risk management.

No significant negative events were reported during this period. The company has maintained its commitment to transparency and security, with no major security breaches or regulatory actions disclosed.

Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Co-founders:

Joseph Kelly (Co-founder & CEO) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephkelly Dhruv Bansal (Co-founder & CSO) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dhruvbansal

Key executives:

Daniel Chavez (COO) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniel-chavez-9bb9a89a Shimon Lazarov (CMO) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shimon-lazarov-9bb981b Trey Sellers (VP of Sales) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/treysellers Frank Caligiuri (SVP of Sales & Revenue) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frankcaligiuri

Updated: Aug 28, 2026