Fiduciary Duties

Definition ∞ Fiduciary duties are legal obligations requiring an individual or entity to act in the best interests of another party. In finance, this typically applies to advisors managing client assets, demanding loyalty, care, and good faith. These duties are crucial for maintaining trust and protecting investors. They mandate prioritizing the client’s welfare over personal gain.
Context ∞ Fiduciary duties are frequently discussed in crypto news concerning investment advisors, custodians, and platforms offering digital asset services. The debate centers on how these traditional legal responsibilities apply to the nascent and often less regulated digital asset space. Regulatory bodies often emphasize the importance of fiduciary standards for protecting retail investors from potential conflicts of interest or negligence. Clarification of these duties in the digital asset domain is a key regulatory objective.