IBM launches Digital Asset Haven, a new blockchain platform for financial institutions and governments

IBM is doubling down on blockchain. The tech giant announced on Monday the launch of Digital Asset Haven, a new platform built to help banks, governments, and corporations securely build and scale their digital asset operations. It’s a move that signals IBM’s intent to take a central role as digital currencies, tokenized assets, and blockchain-based settlements gain traction across global markets.

Developed in partnership with digital wallet infrastructure provider Dfns, Digital Asset Haven combines IBM’s enterprise-grade infrastructure with Dfns’ expertise in wallet technology and asset custody. The result is a platform that offers institutions a single, secure environment to manage the entire digital asset lifecycle—from custody and transactions to compliance and settlement.

Dfns, which has already created more than 15 million wallets for over 250 clients, brings proven security and compliance capabilities to the table. For IBM, the collaboration strengthens its position as a trusted technology provider in regulated industries where digital transformation meets strict governance.

“With IBM Digital Asset Haven, our clients have the opportunity to enter and expand into the digital asset space backed by IBM’s level of security and reliability,” Tom McPherson, General Manager of IBM Z and LinuxONE, said in a news release. “This new, unified platform delivers the resilience and data governance they have been asking for, empowering governments and enterprises to build the next generation of financial services.”

IBM Steps Into Digital Finance With ‘Digital Asset Haven,’ a Blockchain Platform for Institutions

The offering provides clients with access to integrated tools for compliance and identity verification, as well as support for over 40 public and private blockchains. It includes a governance framework for transaction approvals and multi-party authorization workflows—features that are increasingly demanded by financial institutions looking to bring digital assets into mainstream use.

Security is a central focus. The platform leverages IBM’s Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), Multi-Party Computation (MPC), and its Offline Signing Orchestrator (OSO) for cold storage operations, which regulators in several regions now require. IBM also includes quantum-safe cryptography guidance to help institutions future-proof their digital asset operations against potential threats from quantum computing.

“For digital assets to be integrated into core banking and capital markets systems, the underlying infrastructure must meet the same standards as traditional financial rails,” said Clarisse Hagège, CEO of Dfns. “Together with IBM, we’ve built a platform that goes beyond custody to orchestrate the full digital asset ecosystem, paving the way for digital assets to move from pilot programs to production at a global scale.”

Digital Asset Haven arrives as financial institutions and governments race to modernize payment systems and explore tokenization of real-world assets. The platform is expected to launch as a SaaS offering later this year, with hybrid and on-premises versions planned for 2026.

For IBM, this isn’t a new direction—it’s a continuation of its long-standing effort to build infrastructure for industries that depend on trust, compliance, and reliability. As tokenization gains momentum, Digital Asset Haven could position IBM as one of the few enterprise players ready to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain-based systems.