Definition ∞ Custody Legal Frameworks refer to the collection of laws and regulations that govern how digital assets are stored and managed by third-party custodians. These frameworks establish guidelines for security, operational procedures, and client asset protection. They are designed to provide clarity and safety for institutional and individual investors.
Context ∞ The development of robust custody legal frameworks is a key discussion point in financial news, particularly as institutional involvement in digital assets grows. The situation involves various jurisdictions implementing different rules for digital asset custodians, leading to a fragmented regulatory landscape. A critical future development is the harmonization of these frameworks to support global market expansion and investor confidence.